Ljubljana has once again proven to be the epicenter of mountain biking. Over the three days of the festival, hundreds of cyclists from eight European countries participated in various competitions, and the organizers also held workshops and guided tours. There was no shortage of spectators, who watched the Saturday shows at the Bike Park Ljubljana jumps in large numbers.
“The best show in town,” “it was insane,” “a really cool event,” “an amazing audience,” “the day couldn’t have been better” … These are just some of the comments from participants and visitors of the Ljubljana MTB Vikend – the fourth in a row, but undoubtedly the loudest one to date. We warmed up with the Friday Scott Continental Pump Contest, a pump track competition that brought together different generations of mountain bikers. After the start ramp impact on the packed dirt, we witnessed tense and close duels again and again. Sometimes it got quite narrow at the intersection of both tracks. The men’s victory went to Žiga Pandur, who proved that despite retiring from racing, he’s still very fast!
Simultaneously, there was a competition on the big jump line, on the G-Shock line, where five tickets were up for grabs for the main Saturday competition and, in many ways, the highlight of the festival. And the group of thirty fearless riders did not disappoint – 29 guys and one girl at the Bikehanic Big Line Session show provided us with a true spectacle of jumps and tricks, with both the performers and the audience overflowing with adrenaline. The winner of the competition was Robert Sedmak, and the best trick was performed by Miha Buček, but in such strong competition, all deserve praise and recognition. It’s incredible to see how the scene is evolving and how many young people are enthusiastic about these most extreme disciplines of mountain biking.
There was no doubt about the winner of the FMB World Series competition. Boris Režabek is the only Slovenian who regularly and successfully participates in events of this series, and with his tricks, he also dominated the line, which he largely designed himself, adding luster to the Bike Park Ljubljana.
The conclusion of the festival took place with the announcement of the winners of the Enduro Golovec trails race, which this year featured a two-day format with five stages, including two completely new tracks. The overall victory went to Austrian Simeon Sachse, who was less than three seconds faster than Nejc Huth in second place after two days of racing. Once again, young competitors impressed us by attacking the Podutik and Golovec trails in large numbers and without fear, proving that there’s no need to worry about the future of this sport.
Over the three days of the festival, Ljubljana once again demonstrated that it is also a mountain biking city, and the legacy of the Ljubljana MTB Vikend extends beyond the winners’ announcements and video highlights. New trail sections have been created at both venues – Bike Park Ljubljana and Golovec trails, infrastructure is growing, and efforts are made to maintain it. The festival is also becoming more open to the international scene, and we will certainly see many foreign mountain bikers in Ljubljana in the future. You are all invited to the fifth edition of the festival, which will take place in a year!
The main sponsor of the festival is the Municipality of Ljubljana, and the organizational reins are held by the Rajd Cycling Club, Golovec trails Sports Society, and mtb.si. The festival’s sponsors include Zavarovalnica Triglav, NLB Skladi, Bikehanic, Extreme Vital, Proloco Trade, Sinter, Factory Store, Orodje Žabjek, Nutrispoint, Peugeot Slovenia, Liquishot, Lumar, G-Shock, and Spar Online. Partners are Ljubljana is sport and Cycling Association of Slovenia.
About the Ljubljana MTB Vikend Festival
The Ljubljana MTB Vikend brings together and celebrates the fact that Ljubljana is also a cycling capital, and the people of Ljubljana love to ride. Therefore, during the days of the festival’s packed program, we will primarily cycle, compete, and have fun. Everyone will find something for themselves, and everyone will have the opportunity to learn something new.
All photos: Grega Stopar
