Pretty much half the startlist can end up winning this due to the complete lack of specialists.
The main favourites however are Smukulis, Ansons, Saramotins and Bekmanis.
Becis rides for Grupa Nutresa, who have hade brilliant season so far. With 2nd best time, 27 seconds after Vosekalns, at the intermediate after 3 riders have crossed it hardly looks like today will be another joyous day for the South American CT-Champions. Skujins have had a good season, but will be focusing more on tomorrows hilly RR than the TT. And his times show why. Bekmanis is the first of the four favourites to go out and naturally he sets a new best time on the first intermediate 40 seconds faster than Vosekalns.
No one is able to beat him on the first sector, but it’s close with only 9 seconds between the top 4. Liepins is far from the fastest here, but at least that gives the locals better time to get a good picture. Saramotins had high hopes for today, but loses even more time to Bekmanis on the 2nd section. Looks like it just isn’t his day. Smukulis however have upped the speed and is 7 seconds faster than Bekmanis halfway through the race. Ansons is doing his best to limit his losses and aim for a podium spot. Losing a further 2 seconds to Bekmanis and gaining another second on Saramotins should be just about what he’s aiming for right now. Smukulis drops a second on the 3rd sector, but is still the fastest.
With only Smukulis left on the route it’s Bekmanis – Ansons – Saramotins on the podium.
Skujins have to be the big favourite if the riders get to the finish together, but with 9 contestants spread on 7 teams no one is expected to have the strength to control the race all day so it will most likely go to a brave attacker.
Ansons puts in the first attack of the day. Liepins, Bekmanis and Becis follows.
This says everything about how dedicated the remaining 5 are to winning this race…
With 43 km to go we have more action from Liepins. With the favourite more than 9 minutes behind - Skujins more due to a puncture – there’s no reason to worry about being caught from behind though.
The Metinvest-Emirates rider can’t get a decisive gap though.
If the group finishes together Bekmanis has to be considered the favourite thanks to having a solid punch as well as being the best hilly rider on paper.
But he will not wait for the sprint and attacks from 6 km out. Becis is in his wheel making it CT vs PCT at this point.
With 4 km to go the gap is 17 seconds.
They are renuited with just over 2 km to go. Becis should be the freshest as he is the only one who haven’t worked in the finale. Bekmanis doesn’t leave the front for a second and is first to start sprinting as well. Liepins just manage to hang on over the steepest section and starts trying to get past with 800 m to go. got the short track in the final turns and that helped him gain the distance he needed to take the win.
Ansons takes another 3rd place.
Latvian National Championships 
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