For MTB cyclist Blum, a high-quality result at the WC gives him a real chance to participate in the Paris Olympics

99 athletes took part in the elite men’s group. After the introductory round, the participants performed eight basic rounds. The race course, compared to World Cup distances, was fast and dynamic. Blum from Cesis started from the front, which gave him the opportunity to be among the leaders from the very beginning.

Blum finished the introduction as the leader of the race. He was also among the leaders in the first big lap, finishing sixth, five seconds behind the leader. In the continuation of the race, Blum fell back a little, but still drove steadily in the top ten. After five laps, Bloom was seventh, with Tom Pidcock, Nino Schurter and Alan Hatherlihy ahead.

New Zealander Anton Cooper and German Lukas Schwarzbauer overtook Blum in the final part. All this trio fought for ninth place. Blum entered the finish line ninth. In the last meters, both competitors caught up with him and narrowly overtook him.

11th place for the Latvian champion for the second year in a row. Bloom spent one hour, 24 minutes and two seconds at the distance.

The Olympic champion Tom Pidcock became the world champion, who gained sole control in the second half of the track, which he safely protected until the finish. The second was Samuels Gazé, and the Swiss, MTB legend Nino Schurter finished third.

This competition was very important in qualifying for the Olympic Games in Paris. Both elite and U-23 groups in the competition were divided into two road signs each for the major four-year sport form. They will be awarded to the two best athletes whose represented countries will be outside the top 19 in the nation ranking at the end of next May. Latvia occupies the 23rd position, 234 points behind the qualification border.

However, the possibility of seeing Bloom in Paris has become very real. Bloom was the best driver outside the top nineteen in the world championships. Blum’s participation in Paris cannot be immediately guaranteed because the line for selection will be drawn at the end of May next year.

2023-08-13 08:47:14
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