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Race Report | SloEnduro #2: Cerkno

Cerkno, with its main venue on top of Ski Center Cerkno hosted the second race of this year’s SloEnduro series. Organisers prepared a two day schedule with four special stages on Saturday and no less than that on Sunday as well, which made the race a true adventure and a fantastic battlefield for the victory.

Riders made a real journey trough four stages on Saturday which took them from 1300m above sea from SC Cerkno all the way down to city of Cerkno, 1000m lower, where they concluded the first day of racing. On Sunday the stages selection was similar but riders had to pedal back up from the finish of third stage which made their day a bit longer. After two days and eight challenging stages of racing the fastest riders in the finish were

Vid Peršak took another victory and became a new national champion as well
Vid Peršak took another victory and became a new national champion as well
Lilla on her way to second victory in a row on Cerkno trails
Lilla on her way to second victory in a row on Cerkno trails
Kristijan Medvešček is competing as an individual rider with no team, but his not any slower.
Kristijan Medvešček is competing as an individual rider with no team, but his not any slower.
Andrej Bratina on his way to third spot in overall. He finished second in man's category
Andrej Bratina on his way to third spot in overall. He finished second in man’s category

Fight for victory until the very last stage

A big fight was going on for the win between Peršak and Kristijan Medvešček this time. They were constantly taking the lead from each other and after first day Medvešček was in the lead by six seconds ahead of Peršak. On Sunday the fight was back on. Peršak caught up with the leader in the first two stages of the day, but fell behind again in seventh stage, so only one more chance was left for him to take this win, and he did it. He managed to finish the last stage six seconds ahead of Medvešček and took a new SloEnduro victory with only four seconds of advantage after 34min29sec of total stages time. Third spot on the podium was won by Andrej Bratina (Kamplc Racing), while the top five was concluded by local rider Tadej Razpet (Pedal Racing) and Peter Mlinar (KK Črn Trn).

Tadej Razpet managed to get on podium in men's category, while he finished fourth in overall ranking.
Tadej Razpet managed to get on podium in men’s category, while he finished fourth in overall ranking.
Nina Rupnik couldn't get to the top, but managed to finished on second place.
Nina Rupnik couldn’t get to the top, but managed to finished on second place.
Primož Štrancar took another victory in Master 2 category while he finish sixth in overall.
Primož Štrancar took another victory in Master 2 category while he finish sixth in overall.

Ladies victory went to Hungary again

Lilla Megyaszai was happy to take the win in Cerkno allready last year, but obviously she felt good on the trails this year as well. She was the fastest on every single stage of both days of racing and her lead was not in question at any time. At the end she took a win with more than three minutes ahead of second placed Nina Rupnik (MBK SportR.si). Last spot on the podium went to Italian rider Giulia Albanese (U.C. Caprivesi).

Grega Žvan on the stairs that brought the riders to the finish of last Saturday's stage directly into center of Cerkno.
Grega Žvan on the stairs that brought the riders to the finish of last Saturday’s stage directly into center of Cerkno.
Robert Kordež on his way to a new victory in Master 1 category.
Robert Kordež on his way to a new victory in Master 1 category.

In juniors category the fastest rider was Grega Žvan (MBK SportR.si), who had to overcome two fast local riders, Matjaž Istenič on second and Maks Trobec (both Pedal Racing) on third place.

In younger masters category victory went to Robert Kordež (Black Hole Enduro Team) ahead of Jaka Tancik (Energijateam.com). Last spot on the podium was occupied by Valter Krajnik (MBK SportR.si). Primož Štrancar (Orbea Enduro Crew)was the fastest in older masters category, ahead of Janez Golmajer (MTB Klub Kranj) and Andrej Stroj (BK Opušteno, CRO).

Fastest girls in Cerkno (from left): Nina Rupnik, Lilla Megyaszai, Giulia Albanese
Fastest girls in Cerkno (from left): Nina Rupnik, Lilla Megyaszai, Giulia Albanese
Fastest boys in Cerkno (from left): Kristijan Medvešček, Vid Peršak, Andrej Bratina
Fastest boys in Cerkno (from left): Kristijan Medvešček, Vid Peršak, Andrej Bratina

Hobi category was won by second overall place rider, Kristijan Medvešček, ahead of two Austrian riders, Manuel Liendl and Michael Brulz.

SloEnduro season continues with 4Fun race Enduro Krvavec, mass start race from top of Krvavec.

For more info, visit: www.sloenduro.com

Words & Photos: Courtesy of SloEnduro

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