The short story of the national championship of Latvia 2019
It’s June 30: in Latvia, in Kuldiga, a town that boasts just under thirty thousand inhabitants, the online test of the 2019 National Championships takes place. Few fans present at the starting, with the families of runners ready to encourage the athletes who shortly thereafter they would begin and face the test. 185 kilometers with only 16 registered at the start point: an all against all. Those who shoot and flee have a great chance of reaching the finish line. Those who instead find themselves unprepared in the rear, having to chase, risk being passed off and may even retire early. The race starts in the very early afternoon, it is practically a small group at the start. Sixteen runners who challenge each other along a path of almost two hundred kilometers: incredible.
Five athletes, unable to stay ahead, retire practically in the first half of the race: they are Siltumens, Pluto, Sarkans, Pelcers and Korbergs. Race to elimination, therefore. Yes, there are only eleven athletes in play, but three of these eleven lose the wheels of the best, crossing the finish line with more than ten minutes of delay. In front, however, we start to get serious, and the first to break the delay is Toms Skujins, a Trek Segafredo runner who has a higher gear than the others. He flies to the finish line, triumphing alone with more than two minutes of advantage over an old knowledge of WT cycling: Alexej Saramotins, ex Bora Hansrgohe now in force at the InterPro Cycling Academy. Then comes the sprinter Flakzis who precedes the climber Neilands to the sprint. So arrives Leipins, athlete of Wallonie Brussels, in fifth place.
And Skujins wins, respecting the predictions, the online test of the Latvian national championships. A very special race, with only sixteen starters and eleven athletes to cross the finish line. Professionals challenge amateurs: and for the latter it is already a success to participate in the national teams with those who practice cycling professionally. It happens in the Baltic States and in the minor countries: and it is really beautiful and exciting.
(Niccolò Anfosso)
