Photo Report: Baltic Downhill Cup #3 - Lithuanian National Championships 2021 by 2rikko

With the beginning of September, it was time to wrap things up for the 2021 Baltic Downhill cup series. For the 11th and 12th September racers gathered to Ignalina, Lithuania, where the third stage would take place. Ignalina is a small town of almost 5000 people in the eastern part of Lithuania. A lot of lakes and hilly landscape surrounds it from every angle.

Overall 47 riders managed to finish their runs. Tomas Pečiukaitis was one of favourites for Lithuanians coming to this race and he was looking fast in Saturday's practise. Unfortunately a meeting with a tree only got him to a hospital and a broken wrist. Also missing were some of Latvias fastest riders. Estonia didn't hold back and sent a delegate of 12 riders. Rokas Sviderskis and Robert Johanson finally arrived from Europe to raise the level even more.

Both tracks played a big role in results this time. Sandy and loose parts made it hard to get a perfect run. Weather wise it was nice. 20+ degrees both days with sunshine and some clouds. Rain that was supposed to arrive on Sunday held off just until the last medals were hanged and everyone got to leave dry and happy.

Lets start out with a small look into Saturdays practise.

It was nice to feel the warm sunlight again after such a cold and wet August.

Armin Pilv already fixing someone's bike.

The tracks remained pretty much same as years before. Flat corners on grass were changed.

The rockgarden on first track is always a point of interest and anxiety.

Looks intimidating, but when the wheels begin to turn, other sections immediately become more important.

Like this one. After a couple of runs it turned into a sandpit and riders had to surf their way through. A following half meter drop didn’t make it easier.

Heading out of the woods riders meet two short gap jumps.

For some these were a way to exceed themselves.

Nice grass turns to finish off both tracks.

Steep and loose that section was.

Front wheels just kept washing out there all the time.

Nature had done a lot of work by herself. Erosion had deepened sand pits and more roots had appeared.

More and more Öhlins suspension products appear on bikes these days.

Denis Ivanov put on a freshy for this race.

There’s always a lot of trash talking under Estonian tents.

Probably helps to keep minds off the race.

Water jump put an end to Saturday’s practise

Not olymic diving though.

Water temperatures are always quite warm in this lake. Luckily the weather was on our side again and both days brought pleasant 20+ degrees.

Some family got a good show that evening.

This place is just picturesque.

Sunday morning’s sunshine gave us comfortable T-shirt weather.

The last stage of Baltic Downhill Cup in Ignalina determined the overall winner and a Lithuanian national champion.

Kevins Koks gets stuck in another sand trap.

Karolis Kuzelis falling victim to that same place.

Get up and try again.

Melisa Samilina’s brakes didn’t work at times and she really struggeled to get a proper run in. Nevertheless the spirit and desire to ride is there. This year she didn’t miss any Baltic cups either.

Linda Korsaka is a new face among Latvian downhillers this year.

She finished third. Hopefully she’s here to race for many years.

Jana Logvinova (nr 13) and Gerda Einmane (nr 110) keep switching places on the podium. Jana finished second just 0.3 seconds behind Gerda. She lived in Latvia until last year. Now she races as an Estonian to give the results sheet some variety.

Despite her young age, Gerda is always a threat for the top step..

Two wins for her this year.

Women's podium from left to right: Gerda, Jana, Linda and Melisa.

Mark Peterson was the only racer in U14 class. He's definitely a ripper and one to keep an eye on when stepping into juniors.

Kevins Koks threw away his 5th place there.

Siim Savik felt disappointed with 4th place. This was his second race, so there's things to learn.

Riko Mäeuibo fought with Siim for the third place. On second track he managed to obtain a lead of 1.9 seconds.

Kenth Lusenberg also lost his first place position on second track.

Karolis Krukauskas took the win in junior's category.

Junior men's podium from left to right: Karolis Krukauskas, Kenth Lusenberg, Riko Mäeuibo, Siim Savik and Dimitri Tereväinen.

Karolis also became Lithuanian national junior's champion.

Redas Raginskas rode to 4th place among masters, but as the first Lithuanian he got the champion's jersey.

Bronze went for Reinis Simsons from Latvia.

His brother Edgars Simsons got 2nd..

Peteris Strazdinš took the shiniest. Props to him for also helping out riders during practise who were too scared.

Masters' podium from left to right: Peteris, Edgars, Reinis, Redas and Zigmantas Jankauskas.

(David Petereit) Log jumps proved to be too much for these hardtails.

Matas Krukonis

Jokübas Šukys won in Hardtails category.

Mistakes were made.

It was a rodeo there.

Dainius Janušauskas crashed on first run, but showed later that he had pace to be the first.

Denis Tšuris too crashed during run 1 and then put down third fastest time on second track.

Karolis Kuzelis kept it together for a fifth place finish.

4th for Martynas Gelažauskas.

Ritvas Leiers quietly took the bronze.

Little bit of nose dive brought Kastytis Bubele a silver medal.

Once again Gints Bahmanis showed his dominance among hobby full suspension riders.

It wasn't a good day for Rokas Sviderskis.

Both tracks proved to be dangerous. A mistake in first run got Denis Ivanov just a 5th place.

That same Jokübas Šukys who won in hardtails' category swapped bikes and then rode to 4th place in men elite.

Hendrik Kirsipuu was third after run 1 and then got his wheel stuck in a catching net on run 2. This didn't prevent him from taking bronze.

0.6 seconds separated Armin Pilv from a win. He was fastest on the second track though. 1st place overall in Baltic Cup also went to him.

Robert Johanson arrived late on Saturday with foodpoisoning. This apparently didn't phase him too much from taking gold again. We won't expect any less from him anyways after spending months in Europe, riding hardest tracks in the world.

It was weird for him to come back from big mountains onto these tight and short tracks. Hopefully one day we can offer him something that really offers a challenge.