Downhill racing from the age of three? The Valiant GP makes it possible

Valiant-GP 2024

Photo: Gabriel Premand

In 2023, the organizers of the Swiss Hot Trail Downhill Series launched the Valiant GP. This downhill racing series for kids aged three to twelve is based on simple structures and aims to promote young downhill talent with many and easy starting opportunities at an earlier age than other racing series. In its second year, the racing series already has ten races.

"The Valiant Grand Prix is not a classic race series," explains OC President Patrick Bieri. "Our aim is to offer as many children as possible the opportunity to compete in downhill racing. After all, not all kids want to ride cross country, where there is already a wide range of junior races on offer."

The aim of this race series is for as many kids as possible in the U5 to U13 categories to qualify for the final race at the end of October. It doesn't matter whether the young downhill riders only ride one race or all races. The qualification system has been chosen so that children with only one race are not disadvantaged. The Valiant GP also offers a seamless transition to the Hot Trail Series, which starts with the U15 category. In this national downhill series, the U15 is often the most strongly represented category.

Great success in debut year

Bieri and his crew come from a downhill background themselves. It is therefore not surprising that downhill racing is particularly popular in this environment. However, interest in downhill is by no means limited to this region. "In 2023, we counted a good 70 riders per race, i.e. almost 600 children, who took part in the Valiant GP races," says Bieri, delighted with the success of the race series.

This success is an obligation and calls for more. While there were eight races in 2023, there will be ten events plus the season finale in 2024. The number of races is not set in stone and is part of the concept, as Patrick Bieri explains: "Thanks to our simple structures, we can host an almost unlimited number of races. For example, an organizer can decide in June to stage a race in September and races can also overlap.

Low entry hurdle

There are few criteria and hardly any financial risks involved in staging one of these races. The only important thing is that the route is downhill and can be completed without pedaling. Obstacles must be rollable and the ride must last around one minute. Whether the races take place on a meadow, in a bike park or on a single trail is equally irrelevant, adds Bieri. "So that kids in the U5 category can also participate safely and with push bikes, an additional, shortened route is necessary. Ascent aids such as shuttles or lifts are also not required."

The costs should also remain low for participants and organizers. The entry fee is set at a low ten francs and should not be a hurdle for smaller family budgets. "These races are not profitable. The important thing is that we can offer youngsters a platform. While the entry fee goes entirely to the local organizers, we cover our costs thanks to our main sponsor Valiant.