180km on a pretty flat circuit, with a small hill, make up the Baltic Championships consisting of 39 riders. For Estonia we may be looking at Kangert, Taaramae, Mandri and perhaps Tombak. For Latvia we have a smaller field, main riders are Ansons, Smukulis and Saramotins. Lastly, Lithuania's main riders; Konovalovas, Stundzia Vaitkus and Kairelis.
There's a few large teams, but they are all national teams. Most favourites are alone or with just one teammate.
The first attack is from Belohvosciks, riding for the Latvian national team.
He is joined by Joeaare, riding for Estonia. Together they are off for the day.
With Lithuania leading the pack, it's only Free Agents working in this championship...
With 70km left, not much happens. the leaders increased their gap to 9 minutes, which is almost half a lap. Still Lithuania setting an easy pace though.
50km left now, and the gap has grown to 11 minutes! It seems the two FA's up front will make it out for the win. But - they are one Latvian and one Estonian. That leaves the Lithuanian jersey up for grabs. Konovalovas realizes this, and attacks.
Teammate Mandri, Kangert, Taraamae and Kairelis join soon though.
Into the final lap. Belohvosiks and Joeaare still lead by 7 minutes and will both take their countries jersey for sure.
The chase groupe keeps attacking eachother though. Konovalovas and Kairelis will battle it out for the Lithuanian jersey.
Belohvosciks wins the race and it the new Latvian champion. Joeaare takes second and the Estonian jersey with it.
Konovalovas leads out Kairelis in the sprint for the Lithuanian jersey. Note that Kairelis is a Free Agent as well, and he is the better sprinter of the two...
And no suprize, he takes it without too much of a struggle. So, we have three jerseys for three riders without a contract. Yay.
I chose to go with screens rather then exported results, because you get flags with it
The Baltic TT Championships now. For Estonia we have Taaramae and Kangerst as favourites. For Latvia we have Ansons, Smukulis and Belohvosciks going for the double. Lastly, Lithuania's main riders; Konovalovas, Stundzia Vaitkus and Mockus.
Belohvosciks is one of the early starters and sets the benchmark for Latvia at all checkpoints and at the finish as well; 1h11'44
Kaupas does the same for Lithuania; 1h11'54
And Joeaare for Estonia. Going for the double as well?;1h12'04
Mockus is the first to beat a time, as he takes the Lithuanian (and overall) lead, 26 seconds faster then Kaupas.
Smukulis is then the fastest around and into the Latvian lead; 18 seconds faster then Belohvosciks. No double for him.
Kondrotas then takes over the Lithuanian lead by 4 seconds, as Konovalovas failed to do so.
Next, Mandri. And he takes the overall lead and the Estonia with it. No double for Joeaare either. 1h11'20.
Shortly followed by Stundzia, who crushes Mandris time with 46 seconds as he storms into the Lithuanian lead.
Only for Bagdonas to take the lead again, 20 seconds faster then Stundzia.
Taaramae turn then to take the lead in the race and for the Estonia jersey. Kangert is behind him, but comes 24 seconds short.
Adnt thats it. Taaramae(Est), Bagdonas(Lit) and Smukulis(Lat) are the new national champions.
