The stages of the world motocross championship start in Ķegums / Article / LSM.lv

Participants of the World Motocross Championship in Ķegums “Zelta Zirga” motorcycle track are welcomed for the 11th time this year, but this time the competition takes place in an unusual way. Firstly, the many restrictions will have a drastic effect on the number of spectators on the side of the track, and the athletes themselves will have to face inconvenience. Secondly, this year in Ķegums, not one stage of the world championship will take place, but three stages at a time.

The season of the World Motocross Championship started in early spring, but as soon as it all started, it stopped so fast – after the second stage of the season, the corona virus crossed the line for further championship. Until the third stage, the drivers had to wait exactly five months. The competition in Ķegums will take place with strict precautions. Athletes and teams in the closed park will be completely separated from the outside world and spectators will not be able to enter the closed park this year. All riders, team staff and also international organizers, upon arrival in Latvia, must present a virus test performed during the last three days, which has been negative.

As it is planned to take three stages, the configuration of the track will be slightly changed for each of them, but the organizer of the stage Kristers Serģis points out that the changes are not huge.

All teams arrived in Latvia on Thursday, but undoubtedly the biggest loss in this competition will be the non-start of host Paul Jonas. Jonass Jāņi experienced a fall during the training, experiencing serious back injuries. The rider himself told the journalists that he would still be on the side of the track and watch the race, but we would not see him back in the race so soon.

Although Jonass will not start in Ķegums, it does not mean that we will be left without representatives in the prestigious MXGP class. This year, the experienced Matīss Karro, who has successfully started the season in the Baltics, as well as Kārlis Sabulis, who in previous years was one of the best Latvian riders with an MX2 class motorcycle, are participating in the competition in this class. In a conversation with Latvijas Radio, Karro admitted that he had doubts about participation, but in the end he decided to start.

The young talent Mairis Pumpurs will also have the opportunity to appear to the local audience, who will start in the European Championship with a 250 cubic centimeter motorcycle. According to the rider himself, he had a very limited training time with this motorcycle, moreover, he will ride in Ķegums only on Saturday.

The competition on the “Golden Horse” track in Ķegums started with the stage of the European Championship, but on Sunday the competition will take place in the World Championship. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the second stage will take place in both championships, while at the end of next week the final third stage is planned on the Ķegums track.

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