Extraordinary endeavours require extraordinary apparel. That’s why Prada Linea Rossa — a marque of the beloved Italian fashion house — partnered with mountain biking legend Dawid Godziek, outfitting the athlete in high-performance gear to match his awe-inducing flips atop the Red Bull Bike Express.
“It was a dream come true, but also a challenge,” Godziek says of the feat. “The trickiest part was that the jumps were coming at me, and not the other way around.” Measuring a slim 2.7 metres across, the mountain bike track is built on top of ten moving train cars — an extreme route, even for Godziek. The challenge posed a host of obstacles, including potential wind gusts and limited reference points. Yet the champion, dancing across train cars and spinning the bike by its handles, made it look easy.
Riding a mountain bike over a train isn’t an everyday workout, Godziek admits. The narrow track includes no room for error. “The first static runs were fun, but I could tell right away: this is going to be harder than I thought,” he says. On top of balance and agility, the challenge demands top-notch timing. Godziek explains that precision is a must: “I need to match the train so it looks like I’m not even moving [as I bike].”
Godziek closed out the course with ease, descending the stairs of the last carriage with a flat-drop backflip. He might’ve been nervous, but it didn’t show: the biker flew down the stairs like it was second nature, flipping a full 360-degrees and landing with a steady finish — a world first.
Watch Mountain Biker Dawid Godziek Do Backflips on a Moving Train — in Full Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
Watch Mountain Biker Dawid Godziek Do Backflips on a Moving Train — in Full Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
Watch Mountain Biker Dawid Godziek Do Backflips on a Moving Train — in Full Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
Watch Mountain Biker Dawid Godziek Do Backflips on a Moving Train — in Full Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
Watch Mountain Biker Dawid Godziek Do Backflips on a Moving Train — in Full Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Tomek Ustupski.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Tomek Ustupski.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Bartek Wolinski/@wolisphoto.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Dorota Szulc.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Dorota Szulc.
MTB Backflips Over a Moving Train: Watch Dawid Godziek Do It in Prada
Photo by Dorota Szulc.
“I’m stoked that we pulled off this project,” Godziek says, thanking Prada and Red Bull for their support. Prada Linea Rossa, a luxury sportswear powerhouse, proved to be a worthy partner for the high-risk feat. Linea Rossa retains key traits from the Italian label (the sleek silhouettes are unmistakable), though its ergonomic designs ensure maximum durability and movement. “I have to say that the Linea Rossa’s engineered garments really supported me in this accomplishment, which required total freedom of movement,” Godziek adds.
As he whooshes over train cars in nearly-fluorescent orange pants, Godziek captures the essence of Prada Linea Rossa: intense training and advanced craftsmanship, built for wild, adrenaline-pumping adventure.
Feature photo by Tomek Ustupski.
