Our Homie Lars went down to Chile for a race and had the time of his life. Him and his chronies from Fluidride went down south for the second year and here is what he has to say about it.

Lars here.

I just returned from Chile and holy smokes what a trip! 12 days of full on DH, racing, and 12,000ft shuttle runs. The trip commenced in Valparasio Chile, which is a port town established in the 1,500’s. The event was an Urban DH Chilean style. Called the Valparasio Cerro Abajo the course earned it’s name. The top of the course started at a 5 way intersection high up on the hillside of the southwestern part of the city. The course wound it’s way down the city streets incorporating natural transitions for road gaps, stair sets, dirt alleyways, pedestrian walkways, drops, and rain drainage gutters.

There were 62 professional riders invited representing 10 countries. This rider list combined with thousands of screaming spectators, and stray dogs made for and electric event. The Qualifying runs were held Sunday morning after every competetior completed UCI accredation and recieved their numbers.

I qualified 6th with a safe run. Cedric Gracia qualified 1st with a time 7 seconds faster than mine. The rest of the spots in between filled with South Americas finest. The crowd seemed to double in size for the finals which were run at around 4pm. I had a near perfect run keeping it safe in the dangerous sections, and pedaling hard nearly every crucial part. Upon crossing the finish line and being told I had the fastest time I was sent straight to the hot seat.

The Chilean’s know how to do it, sitting in front of the huge crowd being offered exotic juices by a scantily clad local made me feel like King HaHa. I was bested by 1/10th of a second by local Oscar Yunge, and by just under 2sec’s by Cedric Gracia. This left me in 3rd place. I was perfectly happy with the result at the time due to the list of riders I bested in the finals.

The rest of the trip consisted of riding high in the Andes mtns near Valle Nevado ski area, and some leisurely afternoons at the beach.I want to thank all of my sponsors who made this trip, and result possible by supplying me with the best products in the business.

So special thanks to Fluidride, Iron Horse Bicycles, Fox Racing Shocks, Kenda tires, Scott optics, FiveTen shoes, Sunline components, Gravity cranks, Sram drivetrains, Gamut USA, Troy Lee Designs, DT Swiss wheels.Cheers,Lars Sternberg…

A.J. here. I would like to add that Lars came by the shop and described the course that the race was held. He was still stoked on the race and definately could easily put you in the moment with him. He described the crowd like a BAJA 1000 race where the fans would part as you went by and crowd back together as you passed. Also some of the high speed road gaps and sketchy polished cobblestones added to the fun at full on race speed.

ALL PICKS ARE FROM PIGPANTS and RIDE OR DIE SO GO CHECK HIM OUT!!