Latvia and Estonia will share their nationals. No doubt the biggest rider from these two countries is Rein Taaramae who will be looking for a new team after finishing the best individual rider in the CTour. Odds are that he will join Kangert of Pearl Adidas in the Protour ranks, it would seem crazy that one of the top stage racers in the world will remain in the little leagues.
You saw the parcours in the Lithuanian champs:
and similar to those a group went clear containing most of the contracted riders from these two nations.
It is a lead group of four riders Kangert and Mandri representing Estonia and Smukulis and Saramotins representing Latvia. After shadow boxing each other for most of the parcours Bacardi's Smukalis a rider they have often been disappointed with this year attacks with three laps to go.
It proves a decisive move for the Latvian jersey as he moves minutes clear with Saramotins mucking about in the Estonian national jersey struggle. Mandri decides to have a go himself for that Estonian jersey on the last lap.
He obviously watched the Lithuanian champs as he gets a 30 second lead that proves impossible for Kangert to close as he stupidly sits on Saramotins wheel.
So Smukulis takes the Latvian title, with Mandri winning the Estonian one the latter rider joins Taaramae in searching for a new team next year.
The time trials saw Kangert redeem himself for a tactically inept RR perfomrance.
He comfortably had enough in the locker to defeat Mandri, Rajala and everyone else from his nation.
The Latvian battle proved close, but ultimately disappointing for reigning champion Smukulis.
Perhaps the RR effort cost him too much as relatively unknown national team rider Olegs Melehs putting himself in the transfer market taking a close win over his compatriot.
