Held at Povazka Bystrica up in the mountains in the east of Slovakia  near the Czech border. It was a hard event but well suited to the British riders. Similar in terrain to the Scottish borders it had fast tracks through the hills and some muddy slippy climbs. One of the hills proving almost impassable was cut out of the results and time credited back to riders. Utilising part of the original 6 days course from prevoius years it was familiar to some riders but not to the younger ones.
The tests were open country tests not just a tape in a field type. One test was held in a lovely meadow, another on the side of a hill with everything up or down and the last cross country test blasting up through some woods with a run along a wee river and sharp muddy snap up a steep climb out.
Day one was very slippy with riders coming in to the first check covered in mud. Day two was drier and shorter with only two laps at six hours.
This had a large entry of British riders with some established competitors and some new to the world scene this year. Richard Hay continued with a very solid performance despite a few scary moments and having to change front wheel bearings at the start of day two. Finishing overall in thirteenth position and gaining valuable world points.
Euan McConnel continued his very promising career in world rounds with 15th position in the 250 2T class losing just 1 minute on time penalties. Euan and the Welsh riders with him suffered the loss of riding gear stolen before the start of the event. An unsettling way to begin but ignored once the race started.
Chris Hay is learning the world scene in his first year of competition with some fast tests but still getting to grips with the course. Day one saw Chris retire after being unable to refuel after a check. No problems on day two with a good finish and only a few time penalties. His Husky misfiring during the day.
The rest of the British entry was composed of several Welsh lads learning the world scene, and some experienced riders from the Army team. And a young man called David Knight from the Isle of Man who had quite a god ride with fifth on day two leaving him in 2nd place overall in the points standings.
Of the Welsh riders Edward Jones is proving very fast along with Stevie Roper. Rhysian Jones had a nasty off on day two and retired injured. Time penalties proving too tight for several of the other riders on day two.
One of the most unfortunate riders at the event was Stefan Merriman - parked his first ever brand new van and went to walk the test. Unfortunately a spectator's VW handbrake slipped and it rolled down the hill straight into the new van. And the event hadn't even started.

A beautiful country to visit the people were very friendly and as in most places in Europe the petrol was cheap. The hills around P.B. are criss crossed with tracks and some are even signposted. Well worth a visit for any trail riders. There was a Slovakian national Enduro tacked onto the end of the world round with their riders starting after all the competitiors. A country that likes bikes.

British Riders

David Knight, Richard Hay, Edward (Duck) Jones, Stevie Roper, Chris Hay, Gareth Quayle, Robert Jones, Darren Wilcox, David Jones, Rhysian Jones, Gary Wigston.