Technical Issue Hits Muižnieks; Patrijuks and Ermane-Marčenko Win Latvian MTB Marathon Championships
Aleksandrs Patrijuks claimed his first Latvian MTB marathon title, while Evelīna Ermane-Marčenko defended her crown. Oskars Muižnieks dropped out of contention due to a mechanical failure.
After a one-year hiatus, the Latvian Championship in the Vivus.lv MTB Marathon returned to Jaunpiebalga. The course was familiar to participants from the previous year's stage. Title defender Mārtiņš Blūms did not start in the men's race, nor did multiple champion Katrīna Jaunslaviete-Kipure in the women's. Oscar Muižnieks and Evelīna Ermane-Marčenko were considered the main favorites.
In the 63 km "Kärcher" marathon, Muižnieks and Aleksandrs Patrijuks took the lead from the start. After the first 19 km lap, they held a half-minute advantage over a chasing group of six riders, including the Zviedris brothers, Edgars Ābols, Roberts Slotiņš, Kārlis Baltacis, and Sandijs Kļaviņš. Midway through the race, Muižnieks suffered a technical fault, dropping several positions and losing his chance to regain the champion's title after two years. Patrijuks went on to secure his first victory, using his technical skills to fend off pursuers. In a tight finish, Kārlis Baltacis edged out Roberts Slotiņš for silver; both earned their first medals. Edgars Ābols finished fourth, while Rainers Zviedris and Nauris Zviedris rounded out the top six.
In the women's race, Evelīna Ermane-Marčenko took an early lead and never looked back, defending her title and claiming her third gold in this discipline. Vice-champion Renāte Radionova earned a podium finish for the first time in an MTB marathon, while Krista Pūcīte, a multiple winner in road time trials among amateurs, took bronze.
In the 44 km half-marathon, Alvis Pivors won the Latvijas valsts meži category, his third victory of the season. Silver went to Everts Meijers and bronze to Valters Jonass. In the women's half-marathon, Santa Sanija Jurgena took her first win, ahead of Laura Klismete and Monta Pauloviča.
In the 19 km MUC-OFF youth category, with overall leaders absent, Estonian Hugo Bazolevs and Tīna Teiviša secured their second wins of the season. Bazolevs overtook Adriāns Purlaurs in the penultimate corner, leaving Purlaurs with silver. Among girls, Katrīna Hansone made the top three for the second consecutive stage, and Elīza Pūce finally reached the podium.
