From England To Valparaíso, Chile, Bernard Kerr Competes In The World’s Biggest Urban Downhill Race
Two years after his dramatic crash at Cerro Abajo Valparaíso, Bernard Kerr returned to the event, sharing his insights on downhill biking’s most dangerous race.
Riders wind through the colourful streets of Valparaíso in, Red Bull sponsored, Cerro Abajo
Tucked away in the hills of Valparaíso, Chile, is one of the most hardcore subcultures of downhill mountain biking. That is street, urban, downhill racing. In the graffiti-covered walls of UNESCO Valparaíso, riders cycle through a local home and practically rub shoulders with the fans while winding down a total drop of 230 metres (around 280 steps.
The Cerro Abajo series, hosted by Red Bull, follows three urban downhill events: Medellín in Colombia, Valparaíso in Chile, and the final in Guanajuato, Mexico, which will take place March 29th. Originating in Valparaíso, 2025 is the 21st year the city has gathered to watch this special event. All this, the high risk of injury and the electric energy of the crowd make it an intimate and emotional experience for the riders and the fans.
Following the race, Kerr talked about his experience at Cerro Abajo, Valparaíso:
How did you feel ahead of the race?
“Last time I was here, I had a huge crash on the stairs…The crash definitely scared me a little bit.”
In 2022, Kerr crashed down one of the stair sections of the course, yet still 3 years later he returns
“I felt really good going into the race. I felt confident, I rode pretty smart and qualified. I felt really safe so going into the race I actually focused really well. I had been a bit nervous all week.”
A contrast to what Kerr noticed in the younger riders; “What’s so crazy is how the young guys hit the track with no fears”, Kerr added “maybe old age played a role in nervousness.”
This year the youngest rider was a 16-year-old Chilean, Felipe Agurto, who fought his way to second place.
Talk us through the race?
“So, it started pretty good, but in about 15 seconds unfortunately my foot came unclipped, so I messed my whole race up. There was a drop out of the house, and I didn’t have the speed to do it, so I turned around and had to go back. So, I kind of messed the whole race up.”
Despite this, he did not go easy on the track, facing one of the most dangerous parts of the race. The infamous 8-metre jump, through a narrow street, at around 45km/h.
Kerr said he “wanted to go hard down the track feeling the energy of the crowd behind him”. He could not let them think he was “lazy!”
What is the crowd like?
“The crowd here is unreal. We’re bringing the sports to the people in their cities so that enjoyment level is super high. When you’re flowing on the normal jumps, honestly, it’s like a different level.”
South America may not be famous for non-urban mountain biking, but Cerro Abajo is one of the biggest events in Valparaíso. In 2025, there were over 40,000 online streamers and over 15,000 fans lining the streets.
“Valparaíso is one of the only downhill mountain biking events fans will get to watch: They don’t have a lot of races here in Chile. They have no world cups so when a street race comes in town, it’s once a year…and so the energy is intense.”
However, as Cerro Abajo grows in popularity Kerr is starting to discover a global fan base.
“I used to see people screaming, now I hear my name in the crowd and everything. The fans they support you so much. It’s unreal honestly, and it’s so funny because they’re cheering you to help you but it’s such a distraction, so you really have to focus to put in a good run.”
Following the end of the race, glory continues for the riders as fans continue to cheer and chase
What is the difference between urban downhill versus non-urban downhill?
“It’s dangerous. It’s your grip, the grip is so unpredictable. When you’re on the tarmac, you’re gripping, gripping, gripping and then all of a sudden it slips. Whereas in the dirt you’re so much more used to it, I practice it all the time and you can feel it a lot better. It’s more predictable than here.”
Riders are only given three runs on the track the day before the race; at this last-minute stage, the track is still missing jumps and ramps. A further three runs are given on the day, adding to the lack of familiarity and control of the course.
“You don’t want to get hurt in these street races and compared to normal downhill mountain biking, it’s very high consequence. You know they’ve got handrails, concrete houses, everything. It’s kind of gnarly when you go quick here, you could have a huge crash and get hurt.”
Due to the high danger, it adds to the camaraderie among fans and riders. Kerr describes that you can feel at “Cerro Abajo there’s definitely more camaraderie and like passion between the riders.”
This is visible not just in Kerr’s description, but also as the winner Tomáš Slavík departed from the hot seat to embrace the other young riders ending their battle for top place.
Finally, what are your plans for the future, any more urban downhill?
“I fly home to England tomorrow. And I get to see my dog that I haven’t seen for a couple of months.”
Fortunately, no dogs made it onto the track at Valparaíso, this year!
“Maybe I go to Mexico for the other urban, or I go to Portugal for another downhill race… then we fly out to Poland for the first World Cup. It’s pretty full on.”
But, next year we may see him again as he says he will “definitely be back to try and do better again.”
I asked if there was a chance that Cerro Abajo could come to the UK. Sadly, “we struggle with the hills in the UK, the mountains that you see out here in South America and the hills are just massive and so steep, they really have much more the geography.”
The hills of Valparaíso are lined with houses, the starting point for riders in Cerro Abajo
If he doesn’t make it to the final his ideal winners are:
“Juanfer Vélez. Sebastian Holguin second, and Slavík third…because those guys are so passionate. They have so much heart and they really deserve it.”
The final will be held in Guanajuato Mexico March 29th, live-streamed by Red Bull to feed us back into the drama.
