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Downhill
What is Downhill?
Downhill (DH) is the most spectacular and speed-intensive discipline in mountain biking. In this extreme racing sport, athletes ride down specially prepared tracks, reaching speeds of up to 80 km/h. The tracks combine technical challenges with breathtaking drops, jumps and demanding root sections.
Unlike other mountain bike disciplines, downhill focuses exclusively on the descent. There are no uphill sections - pure gravity and riding skill determine victory or defeat.
History and Development
The Beginnings in the 1970s
The roots of downhill sport lie in California, where pioneers like Gary Fisher and Joe Breeze began riding down mountains with modified cruiser bikes in the 1970s. The legendary Mount Tamalpais became the birthplace of this new sport.
Professionalization in the 1990s
With the establishment of the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in 1990, downhill became an officially recognized racing sport. The first World Championship took place in Durango, Colorado and marked the beginning of the professional downhill era.
Modern Developments from 2000
Since 2000, the discipline has developed enormously both technologically and athletically. Modern downhill bikes feature highly advanced suspension systems with up to 200mm of travel, hydraulic disc brakes and carbon frames. The UCI World Championships now attract hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Technical Requirements
Track Characteristics
Downhill tracks are between 2 and 5 kilometers long and overcome elevation differences of 400 to 800 meters. They include various sections:
Characteristic Track Elements:
- Rock Gardens - Technical sections with boulders and rocks
- Root Sections - Root fields requiring the highest concentration
- Jumps and Drops - Jumps between 1 and 10 meters wide
- Berms - Steep corners with high banking
- Forest Sections - Narrow passages between trees
- Open Straight Sections - High-speed sections over 70 km/h
Riding Techniques
The Most Important Downhill Techniques:
- Attack Position - Basic position with bent arms and legs
- Weight Shifting - Dynamic shifting of body weight
- Line Choice - Optimal line selection through sections
- Brake Management - Controlled braking before corners and obstacles
- Pumping - Generating speed through body movement
- Manualing - Riding on the rear wheel over obstacles
Equipment and Material
The Downhill Bike
Modern downhill bikes are highly specialized racing machines:
Further information on mountain bike equipment can be found in our technical guide.
Protective Equipment
Mandatory Protective Equipment:
- Full-Face Helmet - Integral helmet with chin guard (mandatory)
- Back Protector - Protection of the spine
- Chest Protector - Protection of ribs and chest
- Knee and Shin Guards - Hard shells against falls
- Elbow Guards - Protection of joints
- Gloves - Grip and fall protection
- Downhill Shoes - Stiff sole with good grip
Never ride a downhill track without complete protective equipment! The risk of injury is extremely high. Professional riders additionally wear neck protection (neck brace) and reinforced knee protectors.
Competition Format and Rules
Qualification and Race
At international downhill races there are two main phases:
001. Practice Run
- Multiple practice runs before the race
- Riders can familiarize themselves with the track
- Optimize line choice
- Adjust equipment
002. Qualification
- One timed run
- Top 80 riders advance to final
- At World Cups automatically qualified: Top 10 of world rankings
003. Final
- One single run decides
- Order by qualification time (slowest first)
- Best riders start last
- Only the final time counts
Time is measured electronically by light barrier. Even hundredths of a second decide victory or defeat. The fastest time wins - there are no points or other scoring.
Rulebook
The Most Important Competitions
UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
The highest racing series in downhill sport with 6-8 races per season at the most spectacular tracks worldwide:
- Fort William, Scotland - The most brutal track in the World Cup
- Leogang, Austria - High-speed track with huge jumps
- Val di Sole, Italy - Technically demanding with rock sections
- Mont-Sainte-Anne, Canada - Legendary natural track
- Les Gets, France - Fast forest track
UCI Mountain Bike World Championships
Once a year, the world champion in downhill is crowned. The winner wears the coveted rainbow jersey for one year. The World Championships are the highlight of every downhill season.
Red Bull Rampage
The most spectacular freeride event in the world with extreme lines in the Utah desert. Not on the UCI calendar, but the most prestigious event for many riders.
Legendary Riders
Greg Minnaar 🇿🇦
- 4-time World Champion (2003, 2012, 2013, 2021)
- 24 World Cup wins
- Longest active career of all time
- Known for smooth riding style
Rachel Atherton 🇬🇧
- 6-time World Champion (2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018)
- 40 World Cup wins
- Most dominant rider in history
- Undefeated season 2016 with 7 out of 7 wins
Loïc Bruni 🇫🇷
- 5-time World Champion (2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023)
- Overall World Cup winner 2015, 2016, 2017, 2023
- Currently fastest rider in the world
- Master of steep, technical tracks
Training and Preparation
Conditional Requirements
Weekly Training Plan (Professionals)
Monday:
- Upper body strength training (90 minutes)
- Core training (30 minutes)
Tuesday:
- Downhill track training (4-6 runs)
- Video analysis
Wednesday:
- Recovery
- Mobility training
- Mental training
Thursday:
- Lower body strength training (90 minutes)
- Jump training in bikepark
Friday:
- Downhill track training (4-6 runs)
- Line optimization
Saturday:
- Base endurance cross-country (2-3 hours)
- Technique training pumptrack
Sunday:
- Active recovery
- Relaxation
Professional downhill riders spend 60% of their training time off the bike in the gym, during mental training and video analysis. The perfect line is 70% ridden in the head!
Comparison to Other MTB Disciplines
More information on enduro races and their differences.
Getting Started in Downhill Sport
For Beginners
Checklist for First Bikepark Visit:
- Choose beginner-friendly bikepark (e.g. with blue/green lines)
- Rent or buy complete protective equipment
- Rent downhill bike (don't buy for first times!)
- Consider booking a riding technique course
- Start with easy tracks
- Don't get overconfident - progression takes time
- Be considerate of other riders
Downhill is an extreme sport with high risk of injury! Start slowly, don't overestimate yourself and invest in high-quality protective equipment. A full-face helmet is mandatory!
Cost Overview
The Best Bikeparks in Europe
Top 5 Downhill Destinations:
- Bikepark Leogang, Austria - World Cup track + 15 more lines
- Bikepark Lermoos, Austria - Perfect for beginners to professionals
- Bikepark Whistler, Canada - The mecca of mountain biking (outside Europe)
- Bikepark Morzine-Avoriaz, France - Huge track network
- Bikepark Schladming, Austria - Varied terrain
Future of Downhill Sport
Technological Developments
- E-Downhill Bikes - First tests with E-assistance for uplifts
- Telemetry Systems - Live data transmission during races
- Improved Dampers - Electronically controlled suspension systems
- Lighter Materials - Carbon wheels and components
Growing Popularity
Downhill has experienced an enormous boom since 2015. More and more bikeparks are opening, spectator numbers are rising continuously, and streaming platforms like Red Bull TV make races accessible worldwide.