Traditionally, a large group of participants from Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia had gathered at the “Lauma” motorcycle park in Liepāja for the seventh year. 110 participants took part in the solo classes, and 23 riders in the quad classes, inform the representatives of the Enduro Commission of the Latvian Motorsport Federation (LaMSF).
Also this year, for the second year in a row, the motocross master, EGP class winner Toms Macuks remained unbeaten in the two-hour race in the solo classes, who left behind the talented Enduro and Cross Country athlete Mika Rasmanis and the experienced Enduro and Cross Country rider Jānis Lubānas.
On the other hand, motocross rider Kārlis Neija was the fastest in the fierce battle in quad classes.
“I am very happy that for the seventh year in a row the inaugural Cross Country competition took place in Liepāja. We cannot fail to mention that this is the biggest motorsport competition in Liepāja, which is also proven by the number of participants, which pleased the local residents, fans and participants,” says Kaspars Ārkulis, head of the LaMSF Enduro commission.
Just like last year, the fastest in the solo classes this year was the winner of the EGP class Toms Macuks (“MX Rodeo”), who reaped the laurels of victory on this track in 2020 as well.
“It went very well. I drove with that idea – to overtake the second place in the circle, which also succeeded. The lap is long, averaging more than eight minutes.
It was two hours on the track – I felt good, despite the fact that the track was difficult and physically demanding.
There were many riders. As I marked the start, I finished two hours first. I ride a motocross bike, which needs to be refueled more often than an enduro bike, which has a bigger headlight. It didn’t affect my time though.
I usually use the Liepāja stage as a practice race, because I practically ride on a very long motocross track for two hours. If the rest of the stages go through a forest with roots, then it is quite difficult to ride a motocross bike through it because of the harder damping. I use this as a good endurance workout.
While driving, in these two hours, you can learn to relax and work with different muscle groups. It also directly helps in motocross, so you can change the position on the motorcycle and not crash. This is the perfect way to train. This year, the plan is to compete in the Latvian motocross championship,” says T. Macuks.
EGP class second place winner Miks Rasmanis (“KTM Orange Racing”) said that he successfully completed the first “Cross Country” competition of this season.
“The track was perfectly prepared, there was nothing to worry about. It was fast, technical, sandy, as in Liepāja. This time I thought the wind was less. At the start I felt that the motorcycle was not “jumping”, but in the first corner I was already third, so I rode with Marcus Daniels Jauntiran for the rest of the ride. There were interesting maneuvers, overtaking the packers. There were some risky moments, but overall everything is fine,” says Mick.
The weather was also perfect, it spoiled the athletes this time. “I am ready for the season. This Saturday, April 1st, I will compete in the first stage of the Latvian Championship in Enduro, which will be held in Ķesterciem. I hope that there will be many participants, so that the fights on the track will be even more exciting and interesting. See you on the track,” says M. Rasmanis.
Open 1h class third place winner, motocross rider Kaspars Narovskis (“KTM Motofavorites”) admitted that he was competing in the “Cross Country” competition for the first time. It was a new experience for him, still much unknown, but overall the athlete liked it. “The track was good and everything was cool,” says Kaspar.
When asked how he decided to participate, he said that “a colleague, who rides Enduro himself, persuaded him to start.” I have always wanted to try “Cross Country” and specifically on the “Laumas” track in Liepāja.
The lap time was good. I didn’t expect it to be so good, I fell twice.
The start was good, but as a motocross rider, I prefer a barrier start. Everything okay. The format is great, complete your journey and then go home. Loved it too. I felt good physically. The main plan for this season is to compete in motocross,” says K. Narovskis.
Motocross rider Kārlis Neija (“KTM Motofavoritis”) revealed that “this time the start didn’t go as I wanted, because after the quiet start it didn’t jump right away”. I started from about eighth place. I fought to the leading position in the semi-circle. Then the first 40-50 minutes was a fight with Karl Lysander. Both of us thoroughly broke away from the third place. It was very interesting. We overtook each other all the time, but in the final I managed to get away from him. That’s how I kept my first place.
I am happy with my result, everything worked out as I had planned.
The track was physically difficult, so it was not physically easy to maintain the maximum speed for an hour and a half.
Thanks to my physical trainer Dzintars Vitols. I’m glad that the equipment also worked perfectly. In my opinion, everything was perfect. Exactly as it was meant to be. This was a very good training for a new motocross season. The track was very well prepared, thanks to the organizers. Thanks to the coach, family, my team and supporters,” says K. Neja.
Competition organizer Ainis Kļavenieks: “The competition was good. I liked. I think everything worked out this time. We achieved the set goals. Maybe the audience needed more participants on the track to have more interesting fights. I am pleased and satisfied with the result of my work. We tried to do everything so that everything was safe for the riders, without major injuries, and we succeeded. The weather was also good, spring-like. Happy with the number of participants, also in the quad bike class. It was beautiful and powerful. It was an interesting section along the karting track, it was like a “raisin” of the track. It was great. Looks good from the outside. See you next year!”
The first stage of the Latvian Cup “Cross Country”. top3
In EGP class:
1. Tom Macuk
2. Mick Rasmanis
3. Jānis Lubāns
In the Juniors 14+ class:
1. Ralph Windig
2. Ralph Spila
3. Alister Budanov
In the hobby class:
1. Gundars Cibulskis
2. Jurgis Žukas
3. Karl Reinfeld
Senior in the 40+ class:
1. Ingus Bērziņš
2. Jānis Gražulis
3. Ragnar Valdstein
Veterans in the 50+ class:
1. Yuriy Žižkun
2. Raimonds Baltgalvis
3. Ivars Mikkelsons
Beginners (C) class:
1. Edgar Friedrichsson
2. Domantas Virksas
3. Michael Reino
Open 1h class:
1. Andrei Safonov
2. Gatis Zundovskis
3. Kaspars Narovskis
In the 85cc class:
1. Ingus Supe
2. Georg Friedrichsson
3. Gust Rasmanis
Absolute beginner in the class:
1. Aivars Straume
2. Kaspars Krylov
3. Kristaps Kancevičs
Squares in the open class:
1. Karl Neyja
2. Carl Lysander
3. Aivis Graudiņš
In the ATV class:
1. Taivo Kaarna
2. Andres Timmusk
3. Armins Timinskis
