Maribor, Slovenia

RACE 1 : FRIDAY OCTOBER 16th

Photos: Andy Vathis

It is finally the start of the 2020 World Cup Downhill season. Delayed due to a certain pandemic, the circuit got underway in Maribor in Slovenia. On the menu, a double program including two races, one on Friday and the second on Sunday. So here are the highlights from race #1 and #2.

Unior Devinci Factory Racing was there and hoped to start the season strong! Jure Zabjek, the local hero, had high expectations for this first World Cup of the season. Dakotah Norton, the American on the team was on the ''Dak Attack'' mode for a solid performance and as for Patrick Laffey, the young Canadian Junior on the team, he was going to have to watch the race from home. An injury prevented him from joining the team in Europe.

I went out there and had strong performance. Of course I can always ask for more and always wish for more and to be further up the results list. I’m pretty grateful to be out there racing with the best dudes in the world and be able to put it inside top-15 and be protected for next race. Ready to get more quali points tomorrow. It’s just good to be out here. Conditions are super challenging and easily couldn’t go my way, so I’m happy to be on the positive side of it.

I made a mistake on the first right corner. I hit a pole and then slid out of the line and couldn’t carry good speed. First split was bad, but I stayed focused and did better and better towards the finish line. Overall I’m happy with the result. It was great to race at home!

Results:

RACE 2 : SUNDAY OCTOBER 18th

Results: