BSC Group GP | July 1
Bikernieku Apli 2020 started with a boom and class! This Wednesday evening, 134 cyclists were on the starting line to participate in Stage 1, BSC Group GP. Two pro riders, Krists Neilands (Israel Start-Up Nation) and Emils Liepins (Trek-Segafredo) were also in the peloton. The strong line-up also consisted of Maris Bogdanovics, Viesturs Luksevics, Kristaps Pelcers (all Amore&Vita-Prodir), the best Latvian amateur teams, neighboring Lithuanians, and Tartu 2024-Balticchaincycling.com young riders. 18 laps and 100 kilometers were in the evening plans.
The weather forecast warned us about a thunderstorm, but instead, we experienced clear skies and a storm in the riders' group. From the very beginning, riders were burning a lot of coal, and such high-tempo formed the day's breakaway with 14 riders, including two from Evelo Team (Arvis Sprude, Andris Vosekalns), Dobeles Dzirnavnieks/FeelFree (Alekss Krasts, Artis Roze), and Klaipeda (Justas Beniušis, Gediminas Bagdonas). However, Tartu 2024 and Amore&Vita-Prodir were above others with four and three riders respectively. This breakaway was decisive as they kept more than a two-minute gap from the main group where many unsuccessful attacks were made.
The spectators were treated with an exciting finish sprint both in the breakaway group and the peloton. Two Estonian young cyclists, coached by Toms Flaksis, were dominant in the final straight. Rait Ärm, who finished 3rd in the 2019 European U23 Road Cycling Championship, was victorious, while Markus Pajur took home second place. Ärm and the rest of the group rode 100km with an average speed of 46.4km/h. Solid!
The last spot in TOP3 was taken by Bogdanovics, while Lithuanian rider Beniušis, Kristers Ansons, and Vosekalns completed the TOP6. Raivis Ritums from Dobeles Dzirnavieks/FeelFree was the fastest in peloton sprint, followed by Rokas Kmieliauskas (Klaipeda) and Liepins. An exciting finish, great cycling atmosphere with spectators, and podium ceremony with fireworks for that extra surprise moment. Thank you to all the organizers, participants & everyone who came to watch the race. Let's meet on July 15th!
100km GROUP RIDE (RESULTS)
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Rait Ärm |
Tartu 2024 - Balticchaincycling.com |
2:09:20.4 |
| 2. |
Markus Pajur |
Tartu 2024 - Balticchaincycling.com |
|
| 3. |
Māris Bogdanovičs |
Amore&Vita - Prodir |
|
| 4. |
Justas Beniušis |
Klaipeda Cycling Team |
|
| 5. |
Kristers Ansons |
Tartu 2024 - Balticchaincycling.com |
|
| 6. |
Andris Vosekalns |
EVELO TEAM |
+0:00:01 |
| 7. |
Viesturs Lukševics |
Amore&Vita - Prodir |
|
| 8. |
Artis Roze |
Dobeles Dzirnavnieks/FeelFree |
+0:00:04 |
| 9. |
Arvis Sprūde |
EVELO TEAM |
|
| 10. |
Alekss Krasts |
Dobeles Dzirnavnieks/FeelFree |
|
TOP6 in the general classification (from the left): Justas Beniusis, Markus Pajur, Sandis Akis, Rait Ärm, Maris Bogdanovics, Kristers Ansons, Andris Vosekalns.
TOP6 in the women's classification (from the left): Kitija Siltumena, Lija Laizane, Olivija Baleišytė, Madara Aboma, Sanda Petunova, Inga Cesuliene
Women
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Olivija Baleišytė |
El-Eko-Sport Tempas |
2:13:15.4 |
| 2. |
Akvile Gedraitytė |
WCC Team |
|
| 3. |
Lija Laizāne |
Eneicat RBH Global |
|
Juniors
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Aivis Leibmans |
Dobeles Dzirnavnieks/FeelFree/Dobeles SS |
2:13:14.9 |
| 2. |
Olegas Ivanova |
Kaunas |
|
| 3. |
Artūrs Erdmanis |
RRS/Purvciems |
|
M1
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Gediminas Bagdonas |
Klaipeda Cycling Team |
2:11:41.4 |
| 2. |
Juris Visockis |
EVELO TEAM |
+0:01:32 |
| 3. |
Nauris Inovskis |
EVELO TEAM |
|
M2
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Māris Kalveršs |
Salaspils |
2:13:13.4 |
| 2. |
Andris Bodnieks |
EVELO TEAM |
+0:00:02 |
| 3. |
Edgards Kalniņš |
|
|
M3
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Ainārs Ķiksis |
EVELO TEAM |
2:13:13.7 |
| 2. |
Ģirts Vēvers |
EVELO TEAM |
+0:00:01 |
| 3. |
Rostislavs Stapjaks |
Velo+ |
|
M4
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Egons Rozenfelds |
Dobeles Dzirnavnieks/FeelFree |
2:13:21.7 |
| 2. |
Sergejs Radionovs |
Ādaži Velo |
+0:01:10 |
| 3. |
Dmitrijs Jankovs |
MTB Grobiņas novads |
+0:02:25 |
M5
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Igors Rackovs |
Velo+ |
2:13:15.8 |
| 2. |
Viktors Kalašnikovs |
VeloClub |
|
| 3. |
Aigars Žvingulis |
Virsotne/MARMOT |
|
M6
| Place |
Rider |
Team |
Time |
| 1. |
Uldis Rutka |
Dobeles Dzirnavnieks/FeelFree |
2:13:17.5 |
| 2. |
Agris Liepa |
AL Lifts |
-4 laps |
Photo: Kaspars Suškevičs | kasparss.lv
