DH Sotejska 2026
Organiser
ŠPORTNO-KULTURNO DRUŠTVO PANK KURA
Ulica Maksa Henigmana 5, Dolenjske Toplice, 8350 Slovenia
+386 40 621 318 | pank.kura.mtb@gmail.com | www.pankura.si
Co-organiser
Slovenia Cycling Federation, Dunajska 139, 1000 Ljubljana
+386 41 990 058 | ogk@kolesarska-zveza.si | www.kolesarska-zveza.si
Discipline: Downhill (DHI)
Level: PSlovenia Cup
Location: Soteska, 8350 Dolenjske Toplice, Slovenia
Date: 19 September 2026
EVENT MANAGEMENT
Event director: Jošt Štrucelj | +386 51 671 218 | pank.kura.mtb@gmail.com
Marshalls chief: Mitja Zupančič | +386 41 686 459 |
Course chief: Jošt Štrucelj | +386 51 671 218 |
Race office: Davor Mišmaš | +386 40 229 087 | pank.kura.mtb@gmail.com
Commissaires: DKSS – društvo kolesarskih sodnikov Slovenije | info.dkss@gmail.com
CATEGORIES
- U13 boys/girls (11 – 12 years, born 2015 and 2014)*
- U15 boys (13 – 14 years, born 2013 and 2012)
- U17 male (15 – 16 let, born 20011 and 2010)
- U19 male (17 – 18 let, born 2009 and 2008)
- Amateur men (19 – 34 let, born 2007-1992)
- Master men (35 years and above, born 1991 and older)
- Women (13 years and above, born 2013 and older)
- Elite men (19 years and above, born 2007 and older)
*U13 boys/girls is an open category, uniting boys and girls with license and daily license. The competition also concludes with a joint ceremony.
Elite men category is only open for riders with a UCI license.
20chocolate Downhill Cup is the Slovenian Downhill Cup series. Points are awarded to riders of any federation or nationality.
REGISTRATION
Registration closes on Monday before the event, 14 September, at 23:59. Registration is open at Prijavim.se.
Entry fee should be paid at registration, otherwise the registration is not valid. Daily licenses will be available at number pick up in race office.
ENTRY FEES
Elite men, U19 men, U17 men, U15 men, Women, Master men and Amateur men: 50 EUR at preregistration and 70 EUR at late registration on site.
U13 boys/girls: 35 EUR at preregistration and 55 EUR at late registration.
Non-licensed riders are obliged to apply for Slovenia Cycling daily license. They can enter the following categories: U15, U17, U19, Amateur, Master and Women. Daily licenses will be available at number pick up in race office. The cost is 15 €.
REGISTRATION CANCELLATION
Riders should cancel their registration by latest 12.00 on Friday before the race. Entry fee will be returned only with a medical certificate.
EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday, 18 September 2026
- 10.00 – 17.00 Free course practice*
- 17.00 – 18.00 Track walk
- 18.00 – 19.30 Registration/number pick up (Race office)
Saturday, 19 September 2026**
- 07.30 – 08.30 Registration/number pick up (Race office)
- 08.45 – 09.00 Team managers meeting
- 09.00 – 13.00 Official training
- 13.30 – 15.30 Seeding run
- 16.00 – 18.00 Final run
- 18.00 Award presentation (30 min. after last rider finishes)
*Friday’s riding at rider’s own risk – no medics in place.
**Organizer can change the schedule if confirmed by series coordinator and commissaires. Teams/riders will be notified on time.
PRIZE MONEY
| Category | 1st place | 2nd place | 3rd place | 4th place | 5th place |
| Men overall | 200 € | 120 € | 80 € | 50 € | 25 € |
| Women overall | 200 € | 120 € | 80 € | 50 € | 25 € |
If there are less than 5 riders taking part in the race in a category, only half of the monetary prize will be awarded. In case of a UCI event the monetary awards will be adjusted according to UCI rules.
UPLIFT FOR FREE PRACTICE
The organizer is offering an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the track—a free ride on the track at your own risk—on Saturday, 12 September, Sunday, 13 September, and Friday, 18 September 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
If you wish to participate in the free ride on the course, you must purchase a shuttle ticket from the organiser. Please book your tickets for 12/13 through this form here and for 18 here.
PROTECTION EQUIPMENT
- Full face helmet with visor,
- Knee pads,
- Elbow pads*
- Back protector and/or neck brace (these two could be excluding each other).
*riders of Masters and Elite men categories can compete without elbow pads.
THE VENUE
Start: Podhosta 45.765552, 15.009169
Finish: Loška vas 45.776372, 15.020546
Race office: PGD Soteska, Soteska, Novo mesto 38, Straža pri Novem Mestu 45.779666, 15.020720
Team managers meeting: Hudičev turn 45.779003, 15.020940
TEAM AREA
A Team Area will be set up at the venue for the teams’ use, where there will be tarmac and gravel areas for parking motorhomes and cars. Camping will also be permitted on the grassy areas. Electricity and water are not available.
Please book Team Area through this form.
PARKING FOR DAY VISITORS
A car park is available for visitors at Hudičev Turn (45.779003, 15.020940). We ask all visitors and participants to observe the applicable traffic regulations and the organiser’s instructions, and to park their vehicles exclusively in the designated areas.
RACE OFFICE
The race office, which will also serve as the registration desk, will be set up on the premises of PGD Soteska, in the immediate vicinity of the Vagabund pub. The location is also marked on the venue map.
SHUTTLE PICK-UP
Shuttle pick-up point will be by the bridge next to the Team Area. The exact location of the meeting point is marked on the venue map.
There will also be a bike wash area available at the venue.
AWARD PRESENTATION
The award ceremony will take place at the event venue in front of Hudičev Turn, and festival activities to mark the 18th anniversary of ŠKD Pank Kura – will also be taking place nearby throughout the day.
RESTRICTED MOVEMENT
Please note that the Sv. Peter mountain hillside will be closed to the public due to a game drive, with the exception of the immediate vicinity of the DH track.
FOOD AND BEVERAGES
Some available at the venue and more within 2 km (Hiša Janko, Gostišče Henrik,..).
ACCOMMODATION
Hiša Janko, Dolenjske Toplice, hisajanko.com
Jaka Apartments, Dolenjske Toplice www.booking.com or marjetka.kavcic@gmail.com (10% discount for participants)
SIDE EVENTS
Let’s Ride!
As part of the ‘Let’s Ride!’ campaign, a free guided mountain bike ride will be organised on the Devils Trails trails system.
The ride will take place on 19 September 2026, starting at 10.00. Participants will meet at Hudičev Turn. We will return from the tour by 1.00 pm. Participation is free, but places are limited.
More information and registration: coming soon!
FESTIVAL EVENTS
As part of the one-day festival marking the 18th anniversary of ŠKD Pank Kura, there will be a varied programme of events throughout the day for children, families, competitors and visitors.
Program:
- from 10.00 onwards – Bouncy castle
- from 12.00 onwards – Tour of the depot
- from 14.00 onwards – Medieval games
- 14.00 – Pottery workshop
- 14.00 – Family bike check and skills course
- 15.00 – Storytelling
- 15.00 – Herbal workshop
- 16.00 – Treasure hunt
- 17.00 – Diving into the water
- from 18.30 onwards – Concerts in front of Hudičev Turn
In addition to the above, the festival will also feature organised transport to the Soteska trails, and the Kurinalika culinary experience.
The evening’s programme will continue from 6.30 pm onwards with concerts in front of Hudičev Turn. Performers will include Orleki, the KočevSKA Orchestra, Majkun and Tavžntroža.
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