iXS European Downhill Cup 2015 is a Wrap

Since 2008 the iXS Cup pays a visit to Leogang, Austria at least once a year. It has been one of the EDC’s venues right from the start and played host to some of the biggest events of the Downhill scene. This year, the final round of the European series was embedded into the Biketember Festival, next to the Specialized-SRAM Enduro Series, the Scott Junior Trophy and a C1 XCO race. What a weekend filled with mountain bike action – 300 riders from 26 different countries arrived at the perfect setting to close the season!

1. 10. 2015

The downhill track received a well-deserved face-lift just in time for the World Cup. Less bike park and more action – and Aaron Gwin made sure that this new course will go down in history already with his incredible chain-less run at the World Cup. Of course, it has been slightly modified for the European Cup and the riders can look forward to another demanding track with lots of fun and action on offer. Everything was set for the weekend and the only thing that had the riders a little worried was the weather. Whereas Thursday lured the riders outside with sunshine and warm temperatures, the forecast was really bad for the upcoming race days – wind, rain and low temperatures. Against all odds the weather during the training sessions was still at its best, but the mountains always bare some surprises and the weather changes faster in Leogang than one can change his tires.

Eleonora Farina

In the Elite Women category Jana Bartova finished with a best time of 4:15.623 minutes and a clear 5-second gap towards Italien rider Eleonora Farina in second place. In the overall standings, however, it is the other way round: Farina took the title of the season, while Bartova follows suit in second place. Carina Cappellari ended up in third place in both competitions, in Leogang, as well as in the overall standings.

The Elite Men Super Final was even more exciting than usual, as it did not only influence, but decide the result of the 2015 standings! Slawomir Lukasik of Poland was the first man down the hill after having some problems in the qualification and he set a time that was 10 seconds faster than Argentinien Pablo Seewald’s best time in the Small Final. While Lukasik relaxed in the Red Bull Hot Seat all eyes were on Fischbach and Zabjek. The German Champion Fischbach crossed the finish line as second behind Coulanges, and Zabjek finished second-but-last in the Super Final. Still, this result brought him the third place in the standings, while Lukasik takes the second place. 2015’s official Champion is Johannes Fischbach. Congratulations!

Johannes Fischbach

Another year of the iXS European Downhill Cup is in the books and the riders are released into a well-deserved off-season. Next year the EDC enters its ninth season with high class venues again! Until then: ride on!