While downhill races require a huge amount of skill and finesse, a factor that is often overlooked is the role of aerobic and anaerobic fitness. For a race that is over in 3 to 5 minutes, high peak power and repeatability can have a profound effect on your ability to keep and create speed.
In terms of physicality, a downhill race is a series of short and very intense sprints that require limited recovery time and high maximum output.
Optimal Training Approach:
Base: Sweet Spot Base I&II
Build: Short Power Build
Specialty: Gravity Specialty
Not quite the perfect fit?
Enduro Training: If your races are multi-stage events where you will need to pedal back to the top of the mountain, then the Enduro Training approach would be a better option for you.