There is no time to breathe at the moment, as the next run of the European Downhill Cup is going ahead next weekend already. The fifth of seven races leads the downhill family to Špičák in the Czech Republic.
After the fourth stage of the Cup was held in the Italian Pila last weekend, it is time now for the only stop in East Europe. Already for the third time, the iXS Cup stops in the KONA Bikepark Špičák. More than 300 participants from 26 nations have already registered for the event, all of them hoping the weather will finally play fair. At least the forecast seems to undermine that, as there is a high possibility that the weather will be better than last year, where it pretty much rained all the time. Last year Markus Pekoll (AUT - MS Mondraker Racing) could cope best with the conditions to secure important points on his quest to win the European Cup.
Pekoll will try the same this year to win the overall series, as at the moment he is ranked 3rd overall, with his team mate Damien Spagnolo (FRA - MS Mondraker Racing) leading the series. Robin Wallner (SWE - Team Åre Bikepark), currently ranked second overall after his win in Pila, will also try to go for the win. In the Elite Woman Emilie Siegenthaler (SUI - Scott 11) will use Špičák to bridge the gap between her and Emmeline Ragot (FRA - MS Mondraker Racing). There are quite a few points between the two of them, but Ragot won’t race this weekend, so a change at the top is likely to take place.
The course in Špičák has been improved, therefore riders can expect a perfectly shaped course with a length of 1.7 km and a vertical drop of 320 m. More information and the exact schedule can be found as usual at ixsdownhillcup.com
Photos: © Thomas Dietze