This weekend the second points race of this year’s series will take place in Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia. After Ajdovščina, we move to the other end of Primorska region. The Borovci Mountain Bike Association (GKD) will host the race for the fifth time, the third time for the “big league” of our enduro racing.
The race venue in the middle of Ilirska Bistrica is well known by now and the special stages will be held around the Črne njive. As we already announced in the propositions and more specifically in the course announcement on Friday, the organisers have prepared five special stages and a “power stage” for the e-bike category. On the long course, this will mean a lap of about 1200 vertical metres and 29 km.
There will be two brand new trails, and new to many will also be the 1 May (1. maj) trail, which will also be the Shimano SuperStage.
The competition
With the weather forecast not so sunny and events taking place in Italy and Austria, 240 riders from nine countries are registered.
Of the top five men who competed in Ajdovščina two weeks ago, Vid Peršak (Unior – Sinter), Tim Jež (Kamplc Racing Team), Miha Smrdel and Jernej Kavčič (both MBK Črni Vrh) will be coming to Ilirska Bistrica. The only one missing will be Luka Berginc (HDR Team), a downhiller who is about to start his European Cup season in Lošinj. Nejc Huth (Energijateam.com), last year’s SloEnduro #4 man, is motivated after only 39th place in Ajdovščina. The fast Hungarian junior Áron Babó (FRO Racing), winner of his category in Ajdovščina and 7th overall on the long course, is also returning. Žiga Šemrov (ŠKD Super Potencial), the best amateur last year, will make his debut among the elite.
Maša Komel (KK Črn trn), who was beaten only by German pro Raphaela Richter at home in Ajdovščina, will have ten competitors in women’s race. Tina Smrdel (MBK Črni Vrh), last year’s champion, who is focusing on her high school graduation, will stand out another one. But there will be a new challenger, Hana Kranjec Žagar (Rajd Ljubljana), a cross-country rider with almost no experience in enduro, but who tried downhill last year. At least in the Shimano SuperStage, an U17 rider from the shorter course, Nežka Libnik (Bosch Black Hole Enduro Team), could put on a show again.
SloEnduro Borovci Propositions
Course details
Live timing at timing.sportident.com
The weather
Below 10 degrees and probably with some rain, but nothing extreme. More showers on Saturday and a chance of a little rain on Sunday. No dust on course for sure.
Side events
How could there not be a concert in Ilirska Bistrica, home of MKNŽ club!? On Sunday, two interesting indie acts are stopping by, the American duo Windowspeak with support band and Australian Jess Ribeiro. Not a terrible reason to stay after the race.
Photos by Matej Lovrič and Tadej Morano from SloEnduro Borovci 2023
