Nestled in the heart of central Mexico, Guanajuato is a colourful, vibrant city unlike any other, where the past and present collide. A UNESCO World Heritage site with serious attitude, the over the centuries Guanajuato has sprawled across the incredibly steep ravine it was founded on, from 2,050 metres above sea level.
A city built for speed
Once one of the world’s richest silver mining hubs, over the last few centuries Guanajuato grew vertically as much as it did horizontally, creating a unique mix of tight corridors, twisting staircases, and sharp elevation changes. The city wasn't purposely designed for speedy descents, but that’s exactly what makes it perfect for Red Bull Cerro Abajo.
It's an urban rider's dream – the city's grand plazas give way to a labyrinth of sharp turns and narrow, winding streets and alleyways known locally as "callejones", with plenty of abrupt descents and and steep staircases that seem to drop straight into the earth. A maze of subterranean streets and tunnels adds to the city's distinct character, weaving in and out of the mountainside.
With its relentless gradients and chaotic street layout, Guanajuato rivals its Chilean counterpart Valparaiso as one of the most technically demanding courses in the series. Pin-point precision and all-out speed are required to conquer the race, making it the ultimate stage for an urban downhill showdown.
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The Red Bull Guanajuato Cerro Abajo track
A 1.08km urban gauntlet, packed with over 300 steps, tight alleyways, and near-vertical drops, the 2025 Red Bull Guanajuato Cerro Abajo track is a wild ride through the historic, colourful streets of the city, where riders will be on a full-send mission from start to finish.
The racetrack is fast, technical, and completely unforgiving. With a 133m vertical drop, the course demands both raw speed and technical precision as competitors navigate a relentless mix of stair sets, blind corners, and narrow passageways. The track even takes riders through a house and across two rooftops, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to an already chaotic descent.
Each competitor will drop in from the start gate at the very top of the city, pushing riders to navigate through the winding track at speeds reaching 36 km/h. The fastest competitors are expected to complete the course in approximately 1 minute and 50 seconds, or maybe even a couple of seconds faster...
Like every Red Bull Cerro Abajo course, the track in Guanajuato is packed with custom-built obstacles, including ramps and wallrides that push riders' technical skills to the edge. In this high-stakes time trial format, precision is everything – riders must hold their speed while staying in complete control, as even the smallest mistake can cost them the race.
The course is packed with signature obstacles, including the Gortari Roadgap, a stair-to-alley crossing that’s now even bigger with an extended landing zone. Gary’s House challenges riders with a technical entry, a tight 90-degree hallway turn, and a dramatic four-metre drop. Meanwhile, the newly updated Frida’s House introduces a daring second-storey drop onto a large landing ramp.
Other key features include the Twin Wallrides, where riders must launch onto opposing walls mid-course, the high-speed Gavilanes Stairs, and the Tamazuca Gap, which launches competitors onto a Fosforo signature sandbox landing. The race concludes with the massive Alhondiga Roadgap, a final 10-metre jump that will help decide between victory and defeat.
Check out this full list of key features that transform the city into one of the most thrilling urban downhill courses in the world:
- Neto’s House – A steep ramp drops onto a 90-degree sloped berm, leading directly into the Abandonadas stair set.
- Gortari Roadgap – A thrilling stair-to-alley crossing. Vertical: 3m / Distance: 6m.
- Curva de La Reina – A signature shark-fin turn named after a nearby Virgin Mary statue.
- Gary’s House – A complex sequence with a tight 90-degree hallway turn leading to a 4m drop.
- Gavilanes Stairs – Wide, colourful steps that allow riders to maintain top speed almost brakeless.
- Ford Container – A tight gap between shipping containers followed by a roadgap jump (Vertical: 2.5m / Distance: 7m).
- Twin Wallrides – Riders must land both wheels onto opposing wallrides, making them a must-hit feature. Wall height: 2m.
- Frida’s House – We've been through it and around it, and this year we're going over Frida's House! Now featuring a drop from the second story, landing on a large new ramp.
- Drop de la Papelería – A technical drop into the narrow Tajito de la Gloria stairs. Vertical: 1.8m / Distance: 5m.
- Plaza de la Virgen – A tricky speed-maintenance zone set in a historic town square.
- Gritería Wooden Berm – A tight right-hand wooden turn leading into the final stair section.
- The 15c Jump – A small kicker at high speed with multiple landing options. Distance: 4m.
- The Tamazuca Gap – A high-flying jump onto a signature Fosforo sandbox landing ramp. Vertical: 3.5m / Distance: 8m.
- Alhondiga Roadgap – A dramatic 10-metre final jump leading into the finish line.
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Spectators
When Red Bull Cerro Abajo rolls into town, thousands of spectators pack into every available space, transforming the city into a high-energy amphitheatre for one of the wildest urban MTB events on the planet.
This free-to-watch event is open to the public, allowing fans get up close to the action as riders drop into near-vertical staircases, launch off rooftops, and rip through the city’s narrow alleyways at heart-stopping speeds. Want to experience all the adrenaline-fuelled action for yourself? Head to any spot in the Red Bull Guanajuato Cerro Abajo racetrack and get ready to witness the world's best riders battle for the ultimate win!
Join the Red Bull Guanajuato Cerro Abajo finals on Saturday 29 March. For full race schedules and event details, check out the Red Bull Guanajuato Cerro Abajo Info page.
