Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo
Genova, Italy
For the third consecutive year, La Superba – Genova's proud nickname – hosts one of downhill mountain biking's most electric spectacles.
Riders tear through ancient stairways, hairpin bends and narrow caruggi across a 2.2 km course, dropping 279 metres from Monte Peralto all the way down to Largo della Zecca and the sea. Red Bull Cerro Abajo was made for cities like this.
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About the Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo 2026 race
Qualifying takes place on Saturday 27 June, with finals on Sunday 28 June 2026, as the second instalment of the Italian race in the 2025/2026 season. Riders last took on the steep, winding streets of the Italian city in August 2025, and now the most fearless and technically gifted riders on the planet are ready to go full send again this summer.
The huge success of the 2024 and 2025 editions has cemented Genova as a firm favourite on the international calendar, and the 2026 race brings something new. For the first time, the event lands at the start of summer.
Back for more: Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo returns
© Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool
Riders will once again take on a demanding track that features natural obstacles, centuries-old architecture and man-made pitfalls built right into the fabric of the city. This is downhill racing at its most raw and most spectacular, where the event win will be awarded to the fastest rider to conquer the super-technical course.
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Overview
Red Bull Cerro Abajo is an urban downhill mountain bike World Series that sends the world's best riders flat out through some of the steepest, most unforgiving city streets on the planet. Each season is made up of three events across three different locations, with athletes chasing points at every stop on the way to the Red Bull Cerro Abajo championship title.
The last event wrapped on February 15, 2026, at the legendary Red Bull Valparaíso Cerro Abajo in Chile, and Genova is next up, followed by the last stop of the season in Stuttgart!
On a mission to shred the course
© Daniele Molineris/Red Bull Content Pool
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Race format & rules
Qualifying
Every rider goes head-to-head against the clock in an individual timed run, with the fastest 15 earning their place in the final. The start order is based on the reverse of the previous year's series standings, and riders who are protected can still progress even if a mechanical or a crash ends their run early.
Finals
The 15 qualifiers go again, one at a time, with the slowest qualifier dropping in first and the fastest last. The rider who posts the quickest time takes the win.
Riders need razor-sharp reflexes, serious nerve and total commitment to hold a line through Genova's creuze and caruggi at full speed. For the riders who get it right, the podium awaits. Get it wrong, and the city's steps and centuries-old stone will have no mercy.
The official start list for the event will be announced soon. Keep checking back for more details.
Only elite riders take on the world's most extreme urban downhill race
© Mauro Puccini/Red Bull Content Pool
Points and timing
Riders earn points based on their final placing at each event, with both Final and Qualifying points on the table throughout the season. At the last event of the season, no Qualifying points are awarded. The rider with the most points across all three events is crowned Red Bull Cerro Abajo Champion. If two riders finish level on points, the one with the better single-event result takes the title.
Four intermediate splits and a speed trap track maximum velocities across the full course. At previous Red Bull Cerro Abajo events, riders have averaged 40kph through some of the most technical urban terrain in the sport.
For more information on race format, rules and regulations, check out the Red Bull Cerro Abajo Format page.
Every obstacle on the track must be completed
© Mauro Puccini/Red Bull Content Pool
Rules
Protected riders automatically qualify for the final if a DNF or an out-of-qualifying result keeps them out of the top 15. Protected status is awarded to the top finishers from the previous year's Red Bull Cerro Abajo Series, past event winners, and the top-ranked UCI downhill athletes currently competing. Protected status does not cover a DNS, and riders must complete their qualifying run to be eligible for the final.
All man-made obstacles, including jumps and walls, must be hit correctly. Any missed feature carries a five-second time penalty per infraction. If a rider is flagged or impeded during a qualifying run, the organisation may grant a bye to the final. Animal intrusions on the course, including stray dogs, do not qualify for a re-run.
With no tape markings on the course, route memorisation is critical. Every corner, step and line has to be locked in before the clock starts.
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Schedule
The Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo 2026 schedule is coming soon!
Fans can grab a spot to see the action anywhere along the course
© Bartek Wolinski/Red Bull Content Pool
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Spectators and visitors
The Red Bull Genvoa Cerro Abajo 2026 event is open to the public, with up-close views of the racing action available from the boundaries of the track line. No tickets are required to attend. Visitors and spectators are encouraged to find a spot along the course early for the best views.
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Where can I watch Red Bull Genova Cerro Abajo 2026?
Tune in to watch all the high-adrenaline Finals racing action at the third stop of the 2025/2026 Red Bull Cerro Abajo season in Genova on Red Bull TV on Sunday, June 28 at 17:20 CEST/15:20 UTC.