The updated downhill track at Bike Park Kranjska Gora is ready to welcome riders this Friday, September 26, for a track walk and then the first training session of the 2025 iXS European Downhill Cup finals.
Until then, there will be some rain on the track, but let’s hope that the conditions at the end of the week under Vitranc mountain will allow for fast and safe riding. But if the tires are full of clayey soil and the roots are greasy, it will be the same for everyone… That’s also part of racing in the formula one of mountain biking.
Strong International and Domestic Field
The date, one week after the last World Cup race in Europe (last weekend, the world’s best competed in Lenzerheide, Switzerland), is obviously not a bad one. Regular registration is open until Tuesday evening, after which it becomes more expensive.
Currently, 260 riders from 32 countries are registered in seven categories (elite men and women, junior and U17 men and women, and masters men). Among them are representatives of non-European downhill powerhouses: the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as some names from the World Cup.
The participation of domestic competitors will also be good, with 24 Slovenian riders registered. This year, there are no Slovenian at the top of the rankings in the elite categories (in the past, Slovenian riders have won overall titles in the junior and elite categories), but Eva Zala Stergar (DGK Pohorje – Spank Team) from Maribor is coming to Kranjska Gora as second placed junior woman. She can no longer catch the leading Austrian Rosa Zierl (Cube Next Generation), the new junior world champion and World Cup leader, who will not be in Kranjska Gora, but she has a good chance of defending her second place.
Slovenia will be especially well represented in junior men’s category with eight fast riders.
Trophies for Overall Classification
In Kranjska Gora, the awards ceremony for the fastest in the final race will be followed by the awards ceremony for the overall classification.
Schedule
After training on Friday and Saturday, the seeding run will take place on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. onwards. On Sunday, training will take place until noon, with the final run starting at 12:30 p.m. This will be followed by the award ceremonies in the finish area.
Access for spectators is free of charge, and fans can also access the top of the track via the Vitranc 1 chairlift.