The 3rd and 4th stages of the BMX Supercross World Cup, which took place last weekend in the Colombian capital Bogotá, made it clear that one Latvian male and female elite athlete had qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.
The vignette of Vineta Pētersone was already clear after the first two stages of the World Cup in the beginning of May, but the competition in Bogotá showed that Latvia will most likely be represented by Helvijs Babris in the men’s competition. Although both portals already mention Latvia as Latvia’s representatives in Tokyo, the Secretary General of the Latvian Cycling Federation (LRF) Tom Marks “Druvai” admitted that it will only be able to announce 100% once it has received approval from the International Cycling Federation (UCI): to announce only that Latvia will be represented in Tokyo by one driver in both men’s and women’s competitions. There is no doubt about Vineta, because she is the only representative of Latvia in the elite group, but we are waiting for the official announcement about the men. Yes, Helvy, with a third place in Bogotá, has made the much-needed contribution so that we have this road sign, and he deserves it, but, as they say, do not say – hop – before you jump. I think there will be official information in the coming days, then we will be able to announce it officially. ”
Although Helvijs represents “AKSSC Valmiera / Valmieras puikas VBSS”, but Vineta “AKSSC Valmiera / Silva ziķeri”, both of them have started their sports BMX cycling in Cēsis, Helvijs has also represented Vecpiebalga BMX club.
In Colombia, Stage 3 was particularly successful for Babr. In the first round, he finished second, winning his eighth final, finishing third in the quarterfinals and finishing third in the semi-finals, securing a place in the grand final. Kristens Kriegers also entered, and it should be noted that these two stages also decided who will be Latvia’s representative in Tokyo.
Unfortunately, the fight between the two Latvian riders did not happen, because K. Krieger experienced a heavy fall in the first jump, not reaching the finish. T. Marks informed that the fall was relatively successful, there were no fractures, the rider got through only with severe bruises.
H. Babris took third place and protected it to the finish line. It is worth noting that the third place is the highest result of Latvian BMX in the World Cup stages since 2017.
The next day, the 4th stage of the World Cup did not go so well. In the first round, H. Babris finished second, unfortunately in the eighth final, he was seventh, without qualifying for the next round.
In the elite group, V. Pētersone finished fourth in the first round and entered the semi-finals in the 3rd stage, but failed to reach the first final in the World Cup this year. In her semi-final, she finished in sixth place, taking 11th place in the stage.
In the 4th stage, the first race did not succeed, as expected, Vineta finished sixth, but she qualified for the semi-finals after winning the “last hope” race.
She finished seventh in the semi-finals, not in the finals this time either. But the place at the Tokyo Olympics is secured, and we must all hope that the Games will take place. BMX competitions are planned for July 29 and 30, on the first day quarterfinals, on the second – semifinals and finals.
Until Tokyo, no competitions are planned for athletes, there will be training camps both in Valmiera and on European tracks, including the Netherlands, where an exact copy of the Tokyo BMX track has been built.
–
