A race like no other: on Saturday, 21 June, the Port7 site on the banks of the Vltava River was transformed into a vibrant celebration of creativity, courage and cultivated madness. For the first time, Prague hosted Red Bull Kolo Molo – a competition that was less about speed and more about ingenuity, showmanship and spectacular crashes.
More than ten thousand spectators looked on as thirty teams of two from across the Czech Republic took to a narrow ramp above the water. Among them were homemade vehicles in the wildest shapes – from a pink wedding Cadillac to a mountain gondola from Austria.
Acrobatic Start with a World Champion
The day began with a show from the world champion in paragliding freestyle, Víctor ‘Bicho’ Carrera. The Chilean flew just above the course in a series of acrobatic manoeuvres, setting a spectacular tone for what was to come.
The hundred-metre-long track was dotted with obstacles every Czech cyclist knows – and fears: cobblestones, steps, potholes, artificial bottlenecks and a finish line bell that only the most skilled avoided swimming to. Anyone who lost their balance landed straight in the Vltava – much to the delight of the crowd.
Courage, Technique and Showmanship
The jury didn’t just evaluate the ride, but also the construction of the vehicles, the creativity of the costumes and the overall impression. The eight-member panel included mountain bike professionals Tomáš Slavík and Michal Maroši, Olympic champion Eva Adamczyková, kayaking legend Vavřinec Hradilek, and online personalities such as Jiří Král and Petr ‘Peca’ Potměšil.
First place went to the Doperider Crew team from Kadaň. Their self-built pink Cadillac, complete with wedding veil and suit, hit the right note with the jury. “We already had a wedding bike at home – so the Cadillac was the obvious choice,” laughed the two winners. The trophy will take pride of place next to their bed. Second place went to the Potkali se u Kolína team, followed by Opicemi z Lukavice in third.
A Spectacle on the Ramp – and Around It
The programme was rounded off with performances from skateboarder Maxim Habanec and trial pro Petr Kraus, who navigated the course with technical tricks – all on a single wheel.
Whether in the stands, on the grass or directly on the water, the atmosphere was electric. Spectators even followed the action from paddleboards and boats. From the first take-off to the final plunge, it was clear: Red Bull Kolo Molo had achieved cult status in Prague in just one afternoon.
