Matt Walker with an impressive 2nd place

Czech rider Tomas Slavík was crowned champion for the second year in a row. UK’s Matt Walker came an impressive 2nd.

2018 Valparaiso urban DH results

1. Tomas Slavik (CZE) 2:42,101

2. Matt Walker (NZL) 2:42,643

3. Matías Núñez (CHI) 2:44,504

What is Valparaiso urban DH?

35 riders from all over the world took the qualifiers with 15 bikers making it through to the big final.

The track in the Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso is built overnight so the riders do not get to see it until race day ahead of their runs.

Riders even launch themselves out of someone’s living room to start the bonkers course that clocks in around 2km (1.24miles). They descend from a height of 254.59m (835.26ft) down hundreds of steps at speeds of up to 60km/h.

It seems suitably mad that the venue for this iconic urban downhill race is actually a World Heritage Site! Valparaíso is an ancient port city on Chile‘s coast known for it’s steep terrain and impossibly stacked clifftop homes. The paintpot coloured homes are a registered as aUNESCO World Heritage Site.

>>> Watch Mick Hannah’s crazy crash at urban downhill race

Check out Tomas Slavik’s baffling on-board commentary from 2017 Valparaiso urban DH

Baffling in the sense of “how on Earth can you stay that composed whilst riding such madness?!” It’s even more impressive than his Valparaiso victory.

Prepare your mind for this almost unbelievable video from Tomas Slavik and Bernardo Cruz as they take in a practice run down the infamous Valparaíso urban downhill course.

This was Slavik’s first ever win after numerous attempts.

 

valparaiso

Pic: Gustavo Cherro/Red Bull Content Pool

valparaiso

Pic: Gustavo Cherro/Red Bull Content Pool

valparaiso

Pic: Gustavo Cherro/Red Bull Content Pool

Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo is the most well-established and infamous race in urban DH and Slavik was clearly delighted with the win:”I’m stoked! After four years of racing Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo, I did it.”