Skrapcis Wins Latvian U23 Title, Tjumins Takes Silver in Juniors
In the Baltic and Latvian Road Cycling Championships held in Panevėžys, Lithuania, Oliver Jēkabs Skrapcis won the Latvian U23 title, while Georgs Tjumins came second in the junior race and secured the Latvian champion title.
On Friday, Panevėžys, Lithuania, hosted the "Elsana" Latvian and Baltic Road Cycling Championships. In the U23 men's 120 km race, Oliver Jēkabs Skrapcis claimed the Latvian champion title, finishing sixth overall. The course consisted of three 40 km laps with no significant climbs or strong wind, but the racing was aggressive from the start.
Skrapcis and Estonian Romets Pajūr broke away early in the first lap but were caught by the peloton in the second lap. A new leading group of ten riders formed, including Ģirts Harkins and Oliver Matiks. In the third lap, Skrapcis attempted a solo attack but was caught. The finish came down to eight riders, with Estonian Laurī Tamss making the decisive move in the final kilometer to become Baltic champion. Skrapcis convincingly won the Latvian title, beating runner-up Ģirts Harkins by 1 minute and 24 seconds. Markuss Lagzdiņš took bronze (+3:30).
Later, the juniors raced the same 120 km distance. In the first lap, several Latvians were in the lead, including Marks Jākobsons, Ričards Hansons, and Kristers Bruno Štrauhmanis. Georgs Tjumins and Estonian favorite Sebastian Supī managed to break away from the peloton. A new leading group of six, including three Latvians, formed in the second lap. Their advantage grew to over 1 minute 40 seconds by the final lap. With 10 km to go, Tjumins and Supī escaped, gaining a 30-second lead. In the sprint finish, Supī proved faster, repeating the result from two years earlier in Viru. Tjumins won the Latvian champion title, with Ričards Hansons second (+52 seconds) and Marks Jākobsons third (+57 seconds).
On Saturday, medals will be awarded to amateur and Masters groups.
