PLAZAS, POO AND PIÑATAS

With the steepest gradients, longest stair sets, scariest features and wildest crowds on the circuit, the Mexican city of Taxco is widely regarded as hosting the ultimate urban downhill race. Each year, it’s Olly Wilkins and his team at BSI London who build the course.

“It turns out that creating a ridable line through a busy metropolis isn’t easy!” Olly tells us. “We have little choice over where the course goes, so when the organisers want to start on top of a giant building, it’s up to us to make a ridable drop o it. This year we went straight through someone’s living room window too [as you can see in this photo of Brendan Fairclough ~ Ed]! We can’t close down the entire town centre, so while we’re building giant landers in the plaza, there are taxis zipping around and dogs everywhere. Keeping the course free of dog poo is a full-time task!”

The builders have to test their features in secret, usually early in the morning or late at night. “A group of 10 passers-by will somehow turn into a crowd of hundreds in seconds” says Olly. “And this isn’t limited to riding. Before you know it, you’ve got a hot-dog stall set up and a giant crowd staring at you digging poo o a landing!”

This year, the DH race (won by Chile’s Pedro Ferreira) and the best trick comp (where Sam Pilgrim frontflipped his way to victory) were accompanied by a piñata-breaking jump challenge. We can’t wait to see what Olly and the guys come up with next!