Whoever got scared off by the weather forecast, messed up for this one. The second round of the 2024 series took place in Ilirska Bistrica, Slovenia, in cool temperatures and on a track that was at best too dry.
On the long course, Miha Smrdel (MBK Črni Vrh) and Maša Komel (KK Črn trn) emerged as winners. The men’s race was marked by a duel between Smrdel and the winner of the first round, Vid Peršak (Unior – Sinter), as well as by two international juniors as challengers – Italian Simone Leo (Wolf Racing Team) was third overall, and Slovakian Maroš Krupa (MTBiker) was fourth, just 0.14 behind him. In the women’s race, Maša Komel faced no real rival.
After Saturday’s training, 220 riders from eight countries took to the track on a cold Sunday morning. Under the pine trees above Ilirska Bistrica, the riders were faced with 1,200 metres of climbing and descending and five special stages on a 29 km long circuit.
On the long course
Miha Smrdel, last year’s winner of the series and Borovci race, took the lead on the first stage, followed by Nejc Huth (Energijateam.com) and Simone Leo, who this year is supported by the Wolf Racing Team. Krupa was fourth and Peršak fifth, but on the two and a half minutes long stage the differences were small. They increased after the longer second stage, which was again won by Smrdel, followed by Leo and Huth, with Peršak 8 seconds behind in 4th place. Vid was close on Miha’s heels in the longest third stage, which they finished in 1st and 2nd place. Peršak then won the last two, but Smrdel also did well, finishing second both times. In the end, Smrdel celebrated his first win of the season with a 7.89 second advantage over Peršak. Simone Leo took his first junior victory and third place in the men’s overall long course classification. Maroš Krupa was fourth and Nejc Huth fifth.
Miha Smrdel:
“Yes, another great race under my belt. I am extremely proud of my result, I knew that this year in the preparation period I made a step forward in both my physical preparation and my bike set-up. I really enjoyed the race, I felt great, it was almost a perfect ride with no mistakes. The stages were great, two new sections to spice things up a bit.”
Vid Peršak:
“It was quite a varied day. It started with a trip off the track on the first stage and unfortunately after a cold this week the legs didn’t go as I would have liked. I’m glad I was back on top as soon as the trails turned down, but unfortunately not enough for much more. I am glad that Miha managed to have a good race. For me, it was a good weekend again, as far as the equipment and the bike are concerned. Every start I do, I get a lot of information about how the bike behaves when you push it to the limit. And of course, a big thank you to GKD Borovci for a very nice race!”
In the women’s event, last year’s champion Tina Smrdel is focusing on her final exams, while cross-country newcomer Hana Kranjec Žagar was not there again due to an injury. Maša Komel, who was second twice last year and won for the first time at the final in Grožnjan, had no real rivals. She was overtaken by Austria’s Sabrina Eberhard (Radlager Racing Division) in the day’s first stage, and then the Austrian took two more second places, but in the third heat she accumulated a huge gap. In the end, Eberhard finished fourth, with Maja Vojska (MBK Črni Vrh) and Lucija Mlinar (KK Ravne) between her and Masha. The fifth-placed Romanian, Oana Matei (Bike Point Racing), was also on the podium.
Maša Komel:
“The race in Ilirska Bistrica was something special. The organisation was great and the courses were even better. I had a problem with my chain on the first stage, so I had to run a bit too, but I was still only 11 seconds behind the first. I reduced my gap throughout the remaining stages and also took the lead after the third stage. I would also like to point out that I think the girls and I had a great time and enjoyed it to the fullest, and the result is an extra motivation for me to keep going.”
In long course categories
In the juniors, it was wild this time with a minimal difference between Leo and Krupa. Third place went to Slovenian Anže Kofjač (KK Završnica), eighth man overall. The winner of Kamplc, Hungary’s Aron Babo, was outside the top ten in two of the stages, and finished 7th.
The fastest masters rider was Matjaž Bolčina (Kamplc Racing Team), winner of the master 1 category. The master 2 was won by Balasz Zisko (FRO Racing) from Hungary and the master 3 by Martin Brus (Kamplc). Nejc Šikman (ŠD Grabit) was once again the top finisher among the amateurs.
In the e-bike category, Luka Petrovčič won, leaving only the power stage to Germany’s Valentin Schleicher (Radon Bikes). Marko Fink (KD Zverinice) came in 2nd place in the category.
Shimano SuperStage
As in round 1 st Kamplc, points for the special organiser’s prize were awarded in the last stage of the day – the May 1st trail.
Vid Peršak won the men’s prize, while in the women’s race, as in Ajdovščina, it was the U17 rider Nežka Libnik (KK Ravne) who beat everyone.
On the shorter courses
Nežka Libnik continued her winning streak in the U17 category, followed by Neža Štern (MTB club Kranj Scott Team) and Eva Zala Stergar (DGK Pohorje – Spank Team). In the boys U17 category, Ian Laharnar (Kamplc) won all four races and the overall victory, with Tine Gračner (Golovec Trails) second and Loris Tabaj (Kamplc) third.
In the boys U15 category, Jakob Praček (Kamplc) was the fastest on the three-stage course, ahead of Gal Krašovic (Golovec) and Žiga Munih (Pedal Racing Team). In the girls category, Eva Podvornik (427 Savaga Squad) won ahead of Gaja Šuštar (Golovec trails). In the 4Fun category, 24 riders took part, with Dante Brelih (Alliance ASE Racing Team) winning the 4Fun category.
In the U13 category, Kamplc Racing Team won the two stages with Rene Kovač in first place and Tjaž Stres in second (.22 behind), and Max Sliško (427 Savage Squad) in third place.
All SloEnduro Borovci results
Next in SloEnduro series…
Unfortunately a longer break than planned. SloEnduro Maribor is postponed to 31 August and 1 September in agreement with the organiser, special announcement about the postponement to follow.
The next race will be SloEnduro Perkmandeljc in Mežica on 15th and 16th June. Details in due course here.
Before that, you are invited to two non-competitive events: on 11 May the SloEnduro Day Klagenfurt – Falkenberg and on 18 May SloEnduro Day Cilenca trails. Registration for Klagenfurt is open, for Cilenca it will open in the next few days.
Photos by Matej Lovrič
