DH Javor: National Championships and 20 Years of Trbovlje Classic - mtb.si

This weekend Unior Downhill Cup continues on the classic track above the town of Trbovlje where the 28th set of National Championships titles will also be presented.

After starting the season on two World Cup tracks in Lošinj and Maribor the Unior Downhill Cup series continues this weekend on a Slovenian track of no less importance for the national downhill scene. The MTB Trbovlje club which already put on the opening race on the island of Lošinj will organize Downhill Javor race on their home terrain of Sveta Planina on Mt. Javor above the town of Trbovlje. The third stop of the series is also the 2019 Slovenian National Championships race, the 28th in a row since 1992.

Downhill Javor was first held in 1999 so this year’s edition marks the 20-year anniversary. National series races have been held here since 2001 with some UCI races as well. National Championships were held here in 2003 and 2008. The last National Series and UCI Class 1 race was held in 2012, followed by some season opening “test events” before the Trbovlje crew concentrated on holding event in Lošinj, Croatia.

This year’s track is the very classic one with a 380 elevation meters drop at the distance of 2500m. It is a true old school track with a fast 70kph section and some gnarly rocky stuff like the Manson section. Plus lots of open turns, off-cambers, everything but smooth and bermed stuff.

Matej Drnovšek in 2012, photo by Vanja Kodermac

Title Defenders

Miran Vauh is not very likely to show up to defend his elite champion jersey. The 37-year old finished his career after the 2018 season but still just might show up if he manages to build his bike. He is also the last DH Javor winner from 2012. Let’s wait and see. Vauh hold a record number of elite titles along with Janez Grašič, they both have four. On the other hand, Jure Žabjek (Unior/Devinci Factory Racing), the junior winner at Javor from 2012, will be going for his fourth one.

Miran Vauh in 2012, photo by Grega Stopar

Women’s elite champ Monika Hrastnik (Dorval AM) is turning up to see how she will be doing three weeks after concussion in Ft. William. “I’ve been resting a lot and it’s better every day. I’ll see how I feel on the bike and my racing in the following weeks could depend on this,” Monika said.
Špela Horvat (Be Fly World Team) will miss the race since she broke her collarbone last weekend in Crankworx Innsbruck DH.

Žak Gomilšček (Sinter Brakes Team) will be defending his junior men title.

The race is also part of Croatian national series and riders from other neighbouring countries are also expected to turn up.

Program

Saturday’s training will take place from 10am to 5pm, followed by Sunday morning training session between 9 and 11am. Seeding run starts at noon and final run at 2.30pm.

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