For this year’s third race in the series, the SloEnduro returns to Dobrna, where races were hosted no less than seven times, although the Krokar event has taken a break for the last two years.
Younger or less experienced participants may not yet be familiar with this venue, but the spa town beneath Paški Kozjak mountain range, just a quarter of an hour’s drive from the motorway exit at Žalec in Savinjska Valley, has hosted SloEnduro seven times: members of the Krokar Cycling Club first organised it back in 2015, and most recently in 2023. Three times it was a 4Fun race, and four times a ‘proper’ national series race.
After a two-year hiatus, SloEnduro Krokar is back with five stages on the long course. As we’re heading back to Paški Kozjak, the elevation gain adds up – the long route will see just over 1,400 metres of it.
The first special stage on the long course, called Sedance, will be a little higher up on Paški Kozjak; this stage is reserved exclusively for the long course. The second (Ledena, also the Shimano SuperStage) and fifth (Tunel) stages are at the foot of the mountain. The third (Terme) and fourth (Japka) are just above town. This is where the youngest riders will compete, whilst the intermediate routes also take riders up to Paški Kozjak.
More details about the course
The Field
The list of entrants is slightly shorter than usual, but the race will be no less exciting. King Vid Peršak (AON Racing) is coming, as is Queen Nežka Libnik (KK Raven na Koroškem), so the challengers will once again have their work cut out for them.
In the men’s race, the number one plate will be worn by junior rider Blaž Stres (Kamplc Racing Team), winner of the SloEnduro in Ajdovščina in June. The leader in the overall standings is followed by his local rival and national team-mate Lenart Sever (KK Črn trn). Third in the standings, the winner of the Nova Gorica race, Italian Marco Vendemmia, will not be competing at Dobrna, so the number three will be worn by Maks Struna (KK Završnica), the number four by another junior, Ian Laharnar (Kamplc), and the number five by David Ivartnik (Golovec trails), as the sixth-placed Italian, Simone Leo, will also be absent. Peršak will be racing with number 9.
Blaž Stres swaps 9 for 1
The battle for victory in the men’s long-distance race will be an all-Slovenian affair, whilst in the women’s race, Nežka will face a challenge from the Austrian Alexandra Eckert (Bikeclub Giant Stattegg), second placed from round two in Ajdovščina, where she managed to snatch victory from Nežka in the first stage.
The competition among the youngsters will be fierce; in the U17 male category, the winner of the first two races, Erik Žgavc (Črn trn), will defend his firm lead, whilst in the U15 boys’ category, the leader Tjaž Stres (Kamplc) will have a bit more work, as he holds a lead of just 50 points over his club-mate Rene Kovač. Both have one win and one podium finish to their name.
List of registered riders at prijavim.se
Where and When
The centre of the action is on the square opposite the Pod Kostanji restaurant. That’s where the action will be centred throughout the weekend.
The schedule is standard, with training on Saturday from 11.00 to 18.00, whilst on Sunday the first riders will start at 9.30. We plan to finish by 4 pm
The organisers have put together an excellent website at krokar.dobrna.si, where you can find out even more than on our site.
It won’t be too hot in Dobrna this weekend; there might even be a few drops of rain.
Live results coming up here
Details of the SloEnduro Krokar can be found in the propositions
In the gallery, you’ll find a photograph of the most recent Krokar winner, Jernej Kavčič (in 2023, the women’s race was won by his club-mate from MBK Črni Vrh, Tina Smrdel), as well as photographs of the winners of the first race in 2015, Tanja Žakelj and Peter Mlinar (2015 photos by Julija Kavčič).
Blast from the past, here’s the 2015 report
Enduro Krokar, new location, new riders
Enduro Krokar: Photo gallery
