Ten Latvian cyclists to compete at European Road Cycling Championships

Ten Latvian cyclists will take part in the UEC European Road Cycling Championships, being held for the first time in Slovenia over five days in and around the city of Ljubljana. Slovenia has rapidly become one of cycling's powerhouse nations, and even without their leader Tadej Pogačar, the host nation's riders remain among the favorites this year.

Wednesday and Friday

On Wednesday, Ljubljana hosts the individual time trial over a 22-kilometer circuit, where Latvia will be represented by Oliver Jēkabs Skrapcis, Georgs Tjumins and Alvis Pivors. The championships officially open on Friday at 14:30 Latvian time with the U23 men's road race, where Skrapcis is Latvia's sole representative. He faces a 141.8-kilometer course including three laps of a circuit near the town of Šenčur, featuring a climb longer than two kilometers with an average gradient above 10 percent, followed by several smaller climbs and a steep, technically demanding descent. Skrapcis is Latvia's leading U23 rider, having won both the time trial and road race titles at this year's national championships.

Weekend racing

On Saturday, the junior men's road race covers 110 kilometers over five laps of the Šenčur circuit, with Georgs Tjumins, Marks Jākobsons and Alvis Pivors representing Latvia. On Sunday, the junior women's race over 66.3 kilometers with three laps of the circuit features Kate Ketrīna Skujiņa, Laura Klismete and Katrīna Amanda Kozlovska.

The championships conclude Sunday at 13:30 with the elite men's road race, covering 196.2 kilometers. Riders will cover roughly 87.5 kilometers from Ljubljana before reaching the Šenčur circuit, where five laps will decide the new European champion. Latvia's elite team includes Toms Skujiņš, Kristiāns Belohvoščiks and Māris Bogdanovičs. Skujiņš finished fifth at last year's championships.