One week before the first Downhill World Cup in Maribor (SLO), the world's best downhill riders start the warm-up in the iXS Downhill Cup at the same venue. British rider Matt Walker won the men's race ahead of compatriot Danny Hart and Charlie Harrison (USA). Tracey Hannah won the women's race. Nina Hoffmann took second place ahead of Monika Hrastnik. Janine Hübscher and Lutz Weber took sixth and 15th place respectively.

The Team Project was founded in 2011 by Thomas Weber, the reigning European Masters champion, and is being strengthened this year with the addition of Swiss champion Carina Cappellari and Lutz Weber. For the first time in its history, the team is registered as an official UCI team.