In the sun and a muddy track with Latvian and Estonian ducks opened the Vivus MTB Marathon Season on the Golden Horse Track / Day
For the second year in a row, the new season of the series started on the motocross track in Kegums, where this time the organizers had tried to make sure the participants were more interesting – the track led in the opposite direction this year, enjoying roller coasters and a little forest roads, and the former railway track was included.
In sunny weather, about 700 MTB riders competed from different parts of Latvia and from neighboring countries in Lithuania and Estonia’s five distances:
1) Kärcher Marathon, 2) Latvian State Forests in Half Marathon, 3) Mangaļi on a teenage trip, 4) Cido for children’s rides, 5) – « Bicycle Profs on the People’s Ride ».
The strongest membership line -up was always in the Kärcher marathon distance, where less than 200 MTB riders competed in a 25km circle twice. After the first lap, Oscar Muiznieks and Estonian top MTB rider Jostem Vaidem drove together and compiled each other company, but behind the two leaders were Oscar teammates from DTG/MySport – biathlonist Alexander Patrijuk and Lauris Purnins, as well as the brothers Sweden.
The two leaders made almost the entire distance together, with a decisive breakthrough in the finish to the finish, who then crossed the finish line after 2 hours and 11 minutes, ahead of three seconds in 2023 in 2023. Two positions higher than last year’s Golden Horse finished third and Patrijuk finished third, but with fourth place to settle for a long time in third place U23 champion Rainer Sweden, whose rider broke the seat in the second lap, thus driving several kilometers and recovering his legs. Last year, Lauris Purniņš won second place here this time in fifth place.
The women’s victory at the Kärcher marathon was won by Estonian Grete Steinburg, who also triumphed at the end of the 2024 season in Ape. After the first lap, Steinburg was in second place-near the winners of last season’s overall standings from the ZZK team Katrina Jaunslaviete-Kipure. At the end of the Latvian champion at the MTB Marathon and XCO Jaunslaviete-Kipure won second place, finishing less than 4 minutes later and being the best of the Latvians. In third place, Beāte Kovger from EMU Malpils team, which missed the first round last year, then won the next two in Opekalns. Last year’s winner Zane Priede this time fourth.
The Latvian State Forest (LVM) 25km Half Marathon for men for the award -winning places took place. During the distance, Juniors Alvis Pivor from Ogre, Krister Celitan (by passing MTB Team) and Girts Cirvelis (Roadex), as well as last season’s surprise and three victories by Oskars Argalis (Ranka Carton Carton Cardboard, fought shoulder. In the intense finish of the finish sprint, the fast skier and biathlonist Pivore turned out to be faster, who also won the Tom’s Half Marathon a week ago. As a result, Cirvel just like last year, but last year’s winner Celitan this time third.
For women in LVM Half Marathon, Lelde Ardava won convincingly in September last year, leaving Renate Rodionov (Adazi Bicycle), who was unseen in the « Vivus MTB Marathon » for a while, while Amanda Reillija Zariņa (Feelfree.lv), who won last season in the winter skiing.
Mangaļi won the 13km teenage trip for girls, Katrina Hansone (RSS), second place was Samanta Lubert (Velolifestyle/Smiltene BJSS), but last season leader Samanta Celitane (by passing MTB Team) finished third. For the boys, the fastest this year was Oliver Chick (bullets), second place for Oscar Paul Strauhman (Kekava NSS), and the third fastest was Everts Buliņš (RSS).
The best team at the Kärcher marathon was DTG MySport and LVM half marathon bicycle Saldus.
Vivus.lv MTB Marathon Season Calendar:
25.05.2025 – Stage 2 Talsi, Kampparkalns
06.07.2025 – Stage 3 Aluksne, Opekalns
03.08.2025 – Stage 4 Jaunpiebalga
13.09.2025 – Stage 5 Ape/ Vaste Roosa Estonia, #MTB100
