Exciting and tight racing at Slovenia Cup round three while remembering Zarja.
After Lošinj and Kranjska Gora MTB Železniki hosted round three of Slovenia DH Cup at Soriška planina. This was third edition of Downhill Sor’ca at elevations between 1300 and 1600 m above sea level.
With National team members Jure Žabjek, Miran Vauh, Jan Cimperman and Monika Hrastnik taking part in European Championships in Poland and Žiga Pandur still healing it was an even more exciting race. In the end the top three elite men were only separated by half a second. 19 year old Luka Berginc (Blackthorn) took his first series victory in his first elite season. Miha Ivančič (Avče) in second and Vid Kovač (Blackthorn) in third also never finished this high. They were followed by 2014 Sorca winner Aleš Virtič (Supertrail 79) in 4th and 2nd placed from this year’s nationals Luka Zlatnar (BATT Team), the fastest in today’s semi-final, in 5th place.
In women’s race Špela Horvat (Supersnurf) was far ahead second placed Italian Lisa Gava (AR6 Nicolai) and junior Tjaša Žordani (MTB Čelešnk) in third place.
Victories dedicated to Zarja
“It was even more interesting at Soruška this year since lots of us had to try harder because we had a chance to win,” said lat year’s junior National Champion Berginc. “I had a good month of training at home and it was worth it!”
The young man dedicated his maiden history to his tragically departed former teammate Zarja Černilogar. Špela also dedicated her final run to the Champion.
Sunny, emotional
There were just over 100 riders from Italy, Croatia (it was also a round of Croatia Cup), Hungary and Slovenia came to Soriška planina to race. The event which always holds Friday and Saturday night concerts was also spent in remembering Zarja. her number plate 101 was not in the race, it will remain unused for the series final on October 1st and 2nd in Maribor. The riders and friend honored her memory with a minute of silence before the award presentations, many of them were wearing #rideforzarja stickers this weekend and there was even a banner in her memory on course by BATT Team.
Photo: Luka Berginc by Klemen Humar