<b>It's time again for the biggest urban DH race of the year, the Valparaiso Cerro Abajo. Racers arriving from all over the globe walked the course, gorged on churrasco and experienced the fine hospitality of Valparaiso, Chile and the race organizers. For now it's all smiles, but the hundreds of wheel-munching stairs are out there waiting for their lunch tomorrow.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Many a bike was built and/or repaired today in preparation for the beating that will take place on the streets of Valpo in a matter of hours. #alltherighttoolsforthejob</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Marcello Gutierez won this event last year and is confident he can make it two in a row in Valpo. After a week of filming with Clay Porter and Metis Creative, combined with a hectic interview and appearence schedule in Valpo, it's time for him to settle in and focus on the job at hand #eyeontheprize</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>I've made many friends over the years on my travels to South America, and it's awesome to reconnect yeat after year. Some, like Bolivia's Yannick Wene, are here with new additions to their families.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Bernardo Cruz is here in Valpo and ready to go. Unfortunately his bike got scared of the beating that was in store and it decided to stay in Buenos Aires. He spent much of the day trying to track it down in time for the race. #fingerscrossed</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>I probably lost 10 pounds during the Andes Pacifico and my week working and shooting in Chillan. Here's to putting it all back on this weekend in Valpo.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>1/3 of Metis Creative sets up shop. With 8 checked bags and an additional 2 carry-ons per person, they need a room just for all of their gear.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>While many riders went to la playa, a team of volunteer mechanics helped assemble bikes so the riders would have more time to relax.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>This is the man that makes the Valparaiso Cerro Abajo happen each year, Victor Heresmann. Always on the phone and multi-tasking, trying to coordinate a small army of staff that sets up, runs, and tears down the event all in 24 hours. #nosleeptill...</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>This is the final jump on the track, right out the second story window of a flower shop. Who will be #1? Time will tell.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Cam Cole figured the rough and wild track in Valpo would be a great way to test out his new Commencal and BOS suspension. While many riders seem a bit nervous on there first visit to Valpo, Cam seems quite keen to get on with it.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Fresh off a 4th place at the Andes Pacifico, Pedro Ferriera is also one of Chile's fastest DH riders and a crowd favorite.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Alejo Ortiz is the only U.S. rider in attendance (technically he is from Ecudaor), but his bike is lost somewhere in Peru. He has a backup plan to borrow a bike from a friend, so we should still see him out there tomorrow. #dontbegentleitsarental</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Crashing in the streets of Valpo is not an option. Rough and sharp cobble-stone streets bite back hard.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Tracey Hannah is in Valpo with the rest of the Polygon team, and while she may not race, she is still a favorite with the local media. This "quick" interview carried on and on due to interruptions from a pack of barking dogs.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>#measuretwicecutonce</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>This was the scene up and down the streets of Valpo today. Ladders, generators, and manpower all working around the clock to build the track.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>This is Papito, he is quite the ladies man and also the man in charge of construction.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Mark Wallace is in Valpo for the first time, but already has a dozen or so runs under his belt after overdosing on the previous years' helmet camera footage from Filip Polc.</b> -Dave Trumpore
<b>It's cool to see so many kids on bikes in Valpo these days, in no small way due to the success this race has had over the past 11 years.</b> -Dave Trumpore
<b>The quirky, colorful, and oddly beautiful city of Valparaiso as seen from the start of the track.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Welcome to the colorful hillside neighborhood of Carcel. Most of the 11 editions of the Cerro Abajo have come through here, and the neighborhood shows strong ties to the event everywhere you look. #artsimitateslife</b> -Dave Trumpore
<b>Fabien Cousinie has had a rough few weeks in Chile. He missed out on the Andes Pacifico after recieviving 40+ stitches the day before the start. He's is here in Valpo and says he is ready to give it a go on Sunday.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Remy Thirion may be smiling on the outside, but I can assure you he is a bit nervous after having a walk down the track. Andorra is looking welcoming right about now.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Mick Hannah discusses his thoughts on the track and Chile with fellow first timers Cam Cole and Remy Thirion.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>In true Chilean fashion, the power to this drill is coming via three extension cords that originate in an outlet 100 feet away, inside the house across the street #wherethereisawillthereisaway</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>#mindyourfingers</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>The railing has been removed from this staircase to allow riders to lean in and carry more speed. That now means if you get it wrong, it's 10 feet, splinters and nails before you slam the ground below</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>There are two options here; small huck to flat or massive huck to flat. #choosewisely</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Web-edit superstar, Remy Metallier, ponders whether to whip it or rip it here in Valpo.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Just trying to find a place to charge my phone #whatsthewifipassword</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Valpo is home to one of the busiest ports in South America which means crates upon crates of fresh produce can be found on just about every corner.</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Did I mention how delicious and fresh the food is here?</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>The hills here may be too steep to drive up in spots, but luckily one horsepower is all you need to get the job done #giddyup #horsesforcourses</b> -Dave Trumpore
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<b>Welcome to the 2014 Red Bull Valparaiso Cerro Abajo, Chilean style. Stay tuned for the chaos in just a few short hours!</b> -Dave Trumpore
It's time again for the biggest urban DH race of the year, the Valparaiso Cerro Abajo. Racers arriving from all over the globe walked the course, gorged on churrasco and experienced the fine hospitality of Valparaiso, Chile and the race organizers. For now it's all smiles, but the hundreds of wheel-munching stairs are out there waiting for their lunch tomorrow. Dave Trumpore shares the sights and sounds from Chile.
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View replies to: Stairways to Destruction - 2014 Valparaiso Cerro Abajo Warm-Up
View replies to: Stairways to Destruction - 2014 Valparaiso Cerro Abajo Warm-Up
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