10-5-07 // Events: Red Bull Metro Ride Budapest

Competitors dove down Budapest's metro escalators in the Red Bull Metro Ride

Mountain biking's downhill elite travelled to Budapest, Hungary in late September for yet another stop of Red Bull's unique and exciting downhill racing events. This time competitors were poised to race, not on dirt and rock, but rather across slick floors, dark tunnels, steep escalators, metro cars and wooden abstacles through a 350-meter long stretch of the underground subway system. The race began at midnight, after the last metro car had cleared off of the tracks, when competitors and fans crammed into the station and nearby clubs to cheer on their favorite riders.

The tight schedule of the elimination-style tournament allowed riders only one course examination and one practice run before qualifying. Top qualifying riders included Filip Polc (SVK), Gee Atherton (UK), Dan Atherton (GBR), and Sam Blenkinsop (NZL) out of the 36 competitors, whom also included Nathan Rennie (AUS), Marc Beaumont (GBR), David Vasquez (ESP), Kamil Tatarkovik (CZE) and Chris Kovarik (AUS).

The course even wound through some metro cars.

Once qualifying was over racers were paired up to do head-to-head battle in 16 races down the course till the fastest man pprevailed. Top qualifier, Polc had a big fall during the practice while navigating through a metro car, He feared he might not be able to compete in the event at all, but eventually did and mustered a 3rd place finish. Gee Atherton took the top spot, after beating his brother Dan in semi finals, to take home 3000 Euros plus other prizes. Second place finisher, Sam Blenkinsop walked away with 1500 Euros while third place Polc earned 1000 Euro.

Final Results
1. Gee Atherton (GBR)
2. Sam Blenkinsop (NZL)
3. Filip Polc (SVK)
4. Dan Atherton (GBR)

The podium

Wooden berms were built for fast turns