A large turnout of over 170 riders, good conditions on the short but varied track, and exciting battles across numerous categories marked the second DH Poseka race at the Poseka Bike Park in Ravne na Koroškem in Northern Slovenia, which kicked off the 2026 Slovenian national series 20chocolate Downhill Cup.
The event was flawlessly organized by the ZKŠTM Ravne na Koroškem team in collaboration with the Ravne Cycling Club at the park, which last year recorded over 35,000 rides using its Easy Loop lift system.
Men’s Winner From Goriška Brda
Marko Niemiz (Bikehanic Lumar) from Goriška Brda was already in contention for the win at Poseka last year during the race’s inaugural edition; in the seeding run, he was hot on the heels of Luka Berginc, but crashed in the final and finished in 6th place. Now, at 24 years old and riding his (own) downhill bike, he has claimed his second elite victory in the Slovenian Cup—he surprisingly won his first on an enduro bike at the 2024 season finale in Sljeme, Zagreb. Last year, when he won the national championship title in Maribor, Austrian Sebastian Weinhandl finished ahead of him.
This time, Niemiz was followed at Poseka by two young riders from the Gorenjska region, both competing in the elite category for the first time: in second place was Maks Struna (KK Završnica), last year’s overall runner-up in the junior category, and in third place was Nejc Dagarin (MTB klub Kranj), who finished fourth among juniors last year. In the overall ranking with the juniors, however, junior Svit Kunaver Smolkovič (Niemiz ‘s team mate in Bikehanic Lumar) squeezed in between Niemiz and Struna with the second-fastest time in the final, trailing the winner by 0.9 seconds. On the overall podium for the top five, fifth place went to another elite rookie, Jakob Lorber (Golovec Trails).
Niemiz was already the fastest in the qualifying round, followed by local rider Tian Pečnik (KK Ravne na Koroškem), an enduro rider who won here last year in the junior category; Struna came in third. Pečnik had a rough final run and finished in 7th place.
In the combined junior and elite standings, the order determines the prize money for the UCI categories; but it’s also worth mentioning the winner in the under 17 male category. Gaber Novak (Rajd Ljubljana) finished just one-hundredth of a second behind third-place finisher Struna.
“It was interesting. I thought I’d be able to improve my time in the final, but that wasn’t the case. Still, a win is a win, and I’d say I’m in good form. The course is quite unique—short, but with plenty of roots. It’s not exactly the kind of course I’d say suits me. For the rest of the season, I plan to compete in more international races, but still just for fun, as much as I feel like it. If the national team selects me, I’ll also compete in the European and World Championships, and maybe some iXS European Cup races.”
Marko Niemiz
Women’s Winner from Carinthia, Austria
Young Sara Scholz (Leogang Bikeclub) from Villach surprised everyone with the fastest time in the final. Although she competes in the U15 category, the rules of the Slovenian Cup place her in the combined women’s category. In the seeding run, she was beaten by last year’s series champion, Maša Komel (KK Črn trn). In the final, both significantly improved their times, but Sara was 78 hundredths of a second faster. Third place went to Eva Podvornik (ŠD Grabit). She was followed by returnee Neža Štern (MTB klub Kranj), a junior rider who missed most of last season due to illness, and Austrian Helene Fruhwirth (RC Kreuzer), the masters world champion in her age category.
Last year’s Poseka winner, local rider Nežka Libnik, had her hands full with winning at the Enduro World Cup; otherwise, she would likely have been a threat in the downhill race again.
“The race is an hour and a half’s drive from my home, so I decided to give it a try. The race went well for me, and I like the track too. I’ll probably come to another Slovenian Cup race.”
Sara Scholz
Results
Women
- 1. Sara Scholz (Austria, Leogang Bikeclub) 2:00.90
- 2. Maša Komel (KK Črn trn) +0.78
- 3. Eva Podvornik (ŠD Grabit) +5.80
- 4. Neža Štern (MTB klub Kranj) +6.38
- 5. Helene Fruhwirth (Austria, RC Kreuzer) +8.18
Men (elite and juniors)
- 1. Marko Niemiz (Bikehanic Lumar) 1:42.71
- 2. Svit Kunaver Smolkovič (Bikehanic Lumar) +0.90
- 3. Maks Struna (KK Završnica) +2.93
- 4. Nejc Dagarin (MTB Club Kranj) +3.90
- 5. Jakob Lorber (Golovec trails) +4.29
Complete results here
In Other Categories
In the junior category, a double victory for Bikehanic Lumar, the development team of the Ljubljana-based Rajd club. Svit Kunaver Smolkovič was followed by Izak Štrubelj, who, due to an injury, competed in only two races last year during his first junior season and finished 7th at the final in Sljeme. Van Vinšek (KK Ravne na Koroškem) took third place to the delight of the home fans.
The hosts also celebrated in the U17 category, as Jakob Pristovnik and Tai Bizjak (both from KK Ravne na Koroškem) finished behind Gaber Novak. A total of 47 riders competed in this category.
In the U15 boys’ category, Rajd Ljubljana secured a double victory, with winner Jaka Vujasin and runner-up Gal Palčič contributing to the Ljubljana club’s success. Third place went to Maribor with Max Sliško (427 Savage Squad).
In the youngest U13 category, Jakob Matija Koren (MTB Club Goša Gravity) repeated his victory from the international Rookies Cup race at home in Kranjska Gora, ahead of Gabrij Calzo (Ita, Black Crew) and Maks Dragaš (Golovec Trails).
In the masters category, Rožle Mesec (Golovec Trails) took the win ahead of Robi Pahovec (Hörmann Slovenia) and Denis Paradiž (KK Ravne na Koroškem).
Among the amateurs, last year’s winner Matic Kokl (MTB Club Kranj/Alliance ASE) was once again very fast, finishing ahead of Slovakian Marek Katrinec (CK AB Sered) and Aleksander Jože Podpečan.
The 20chocolate Prize and Let’s Ride!
For the first time, we drew the lucky recipient of the main sponsor’s prize, the Slovenian brand of quality chocolate 20chocolate: Neža Štern received a check worth 100 euros.
As part of the accompanying program, non-competitors went on a free guided tour as part of the Slovenian Cycling Federation’s “Let’s Ride!” program. The trails and views of Koroška never disappoint.
Next up in 20chocolate Downhill Cup Series…
DH Poseka was an event that gives you the joy to continue the season.
The 20chocolate Downhill Cup series continues on June 28 at Bike Park Pohorje in Maribor with the local and world classic DH Pohorje. Propositions and registration dropping any moment!