Jure Žabjek ends up on top at the 2019 season final, Berginc-Pintar-Virtič follow close together along with fastest junior Niemiz and the incredible chainless masters rider Vauh!
This year’s Unior Downhill Cup series ended last weekend with Downhill Cerkno race in Bike & fun park Scott Cerkno, Slovenia. Jure Žabjek (Unior/Devinci Factory Racing) won men’s elite race and confirmed his overall title while Katarina Primožič (BATT) won women’s race but Naja Stipanić (KK Črn trn) took the overall. Marko Niemiz (Sinter Brakes Team) won his third men’s junior race this season and sealed his series title.
After Lošinj, Maribor, Trbovlje and Soriška planina the 2019 season, third of the Unior Downhill Cup series, ended at the venue which quickly became a classic for Slovenian downhill racing. Cerkno bike park with its elevation drop of 340m offers a fast 1.7km track with a variety of technical sections. The 6-seater chairlift which takes the riders from bottom to start in just 4 minutes is a welcome bonus.
There was a mix of opinions among the riders about the two new sections on the track but in the end it was the same for everyone and the conditions were perfect on this sunny early fall weekend.
Sunday’s seeding run already proved to be exciting. Žabjek was over 4 seconds ahead of the rest and was looking forward to the overall title, but behind him three riders squeezed into .16 of a second from 2nd to 4th place: the Austrian based rider Aleš Virtič (SU Bikestore Team), the DH Sorica winner Rudi Pintar (Sinter Brakes Team) and last year’s Cerkno winner Luka Berginc (KK Črn trn/Blackthorn).
Niemiz also confirmed his lead in men’s junior category, followed by teammate Žan Pirš and Gašper Jurečič (Rajd Ljubljana). His only rival for the title Žak Gomilšček (also of Sinter Brakes Team), still jet-lagged after World Cup final, finished 4th.
The Final
In his final run Berginc jumped out of the even three, improved on his time by almost 4 seconds and stayed in the hot seat after the runs of Pintar and Virtič. Pintar got ahead of Virtič by just 0.01! Žabjek flew down the track as last, recording the fastest time of the day at 2:15.51, 2.33 ahead of Berginc.
Žabjek became Unior DH Cup series champion for second time, his first title is from 2017. He collected 1200 points by winning all runs at Lošinj, Maribor, Trbovlje and Cerkno. Pintar finished in second with 986 points and Berginc in third with 830.
“It went okay, I had I busy week since I’m wrapping up my University studies and I’m still tired and jet-lagged from US,” said Jure. “I didn’t want to risk too much, the plan was to stay healthy to start preparation for next season. So I’m happy to win and be okay. The track was great and it was overall a great weekend. The guys behind me were close together but it was expected on a short track. I was surprised with Vauh’s chainless times since it’s almost uphill out of the start gate. He set a great time after not being on a DH bike for a while. I hope some more Slovenians will join me in the World Cup in the future.”
Niemiz was fastest junior once again. He won with the time of 2:20.50, fifth fastest overall. Žan Pirš finished second 5.35 down and Žak Gomilšček moved into third. Triple win for the black-gold-green of Sinter Brakes Team, the Unior/Devinci Factory development squad.
Katka and Naja along with 3rd placed amateur rider Saša Bajc
Katarina Primožič was on top in women’s final but the overall title went to junior Naja Stipanič.
It was an exciting race in U17 category as well with Nace Kokelj (Wolf Racing Team) beating Črtomir Svetec (Supersnurf) in both runs and taking the overall title from him by 30 points.
Val Celestina
U15, the youngest category, has never been as wild as this year. Rookie Val Celestina (KK Črn trn) took his second win in a row, this time under 19 seconds behind Žabjek. Frane Medić (BK Crikvenica) won the overall title.
In masters category the overall title went to Gašper Jereb (ŠKTD Avče) who collected just 30 points more than Boštjan Volf (Wolf Racing Team). Once again Wolf was faster but they were both smoked by four-time elite national champion Miran Vauh who returned to racing and premiered in this category. It was also his first race for DH Visit Pohorje team. Of course, chainless and with a time that would earn him a 5th in elite category!
Matic Kokl (MTB klub Kranj) won his second amateur category race in a row but he missed the first two races of the series so the overall title goes to second placed Andreas Vidovič (DH Visit Pohorje).
{loadposition inside}
Handing Out & Planning
So, this was the 2019 Slovenian downhill racing season. The series trophies will be handed out in November at the annual Slovenia Cycling MTB & BMX Commission event. Thank you Cerkno bike park and Pedal Racing Team for hosting a great final race. We hope to see all the events back on the 2020 calendar!
DH Cerkno results at uniordownhillcup.com
2019 Unior Downhill Cup ranking
Photos by Urban Cerjak/Monster Energy, Jure Žabjek in cover photo. Photo gallery
