A total of almost 1,200 athletes from 27 countries took part in the first leg of the UEC European Cup BMX, which took place on the track in Verona, Italy. Latvia was represented in the competition by 48 athletes who started in junior, youth, children’s and amateur groups. Our drivers proved themselves with a number of awards.
Paula Kibare, the athlete of BMX Rīga / RRS, who became the European champion last year, entered the grand final in the oldest G15 / 16 youth group for girls. In the decisive race for the prizes, Paula finished third, climbing the podium. Girts Jonkus, a rider of the Mītavas kumeļu club, celebrated the victory in the grand final of the 40-44 group of carts with great stability throughout the day.
Another victory was brought to Latvia by Raimo Soldāns, who started in the B9 group, while Gustavs Gigulis from Marupe climbed to the third step of the podium in this group. Five Latvian athletes immediately joined the B10 group. In the final race of the day, the fastest of the Latvians was BMX Riga / RRS athlete Mark Švalkovskis, who won the third place. The fourth is Marko Daude, the fifth is Āris Koško, the sixth is Aleksis Lansso, and the seventh is Martins Bērziņš. At the same age, the girls took third place for Evelīna Līkuma, but Tīna Štefenberga took eighth place. Renārs Želvis finished the best six in the B11 group for the boys. Two Latvians made it to the finals in the G11 / 12 girls’ group. Ramona Bāre, a rider from the “Mītava foals” club, took third place, while Melania Chudare was sixth.
Kristaps Lūsis, who won the second place in the B7 group, was also a great success in strong competition, but Patriks Stūrmanis was the eighth in this group. Kate Lukša, a driver of Mārupe club, was able to win the G7 group. Official results are not available at the moment in the G11 / 12 (Ramona Bāre and Melania Čudare entered the finals), B12,, B13, B14, G13 / 14 groups.
Resources used:
Latvian Cycling Federation
