The Latvian Cycling Federation held such a solemn award ceremony for the third year in a row. After two years in the Ādaži cultural center, this year the bicycle family gathered in the cozy premises of the “Ulbrokas Perle” cultural center. The event brought together almost 300 athletes, coaches, heads of clubs and sports schools, supporters of the federation, cooperation partners and other guests.
The main intrigue of the event was the presentation of annual awards in seven nominations. In each of them, the awards were presented by specially selected personalities who, with their work and example, inspire representatives of all types of cycling.
Toms Skujiņš, a 34-year-old resident of Tsarnik, Latvian elite national team and “Lidl Trek” team cyclist, was recognized as the best cyclist of 2025 in Latvia for the seventh time in his career. The athlete who won the fifth place in the World and European Championships is already in the training camp before the new season, but his mother Anita received the award instead. To the great honor of those present, it was presented by the world champion in beach volleyball Tīna Graudiņa. Besides Skujiņš, BMX athletes Edgars Langmanis and Mārtiņš Emīls Treimanis, MTB rider Mārtiņš Blūms and BMX freestyle master Ernests Sēbold also applied for this award.
The best cyclist of the year award was won for the third year in a row by Veronika Monika Stūriška, a cyclist from the club “Silvas ziķeri” and the Smiltene Children’s and Youth Sports School. The student of coach Ęirtas Kātiņas was happy with the victory in the BMX European Championship in the U23 group, as well as the fourth and sixth place in the World Cup stages. The award was presented to Veronika by the representative of “Elsana”, the main supporter of the Latvian Cycling Federation, Ivo Čerbakovs. Road cyclist Dana Rožlapa and pumptrack rider Vineta Pētersone also applied for the award.
For the first time, the “BMX Rīga/RRS” athlete Kristers Apels received the award for the best young cyclist of the year. The student of Edžus Treimaņi won the BMX European Championship for Juniors, the USA BMX Grands competition and two stages of the UEC BMX European Cup. Krister’s father, Māris Apel, was presented with the award by popular Latvian music performer Ozols, while the athlete himself was in a training camp in Spain. Road cyclists Georgs Tyumins, Helvijs Kancers, Arvīds Logins, BMX rider Valts Budigins and MTB athlete Alvis Pivors were also included in the nomination.
Road cyclist Kate Ketrīna Skujiņa won the newly introduced nomination – young athlete of the year. The student of the Riga Cycling School won the seventh place in the European Youth Olympics, won the Assen tour and took the fifth place in the overall ranking of this competition. The award was presented to Kate by the ambassador of the Milan-Cortina Olympic Games, Jana Dułevska. Besides Kate, there were also BMX athletes Melanija Čudare, Lote Etmane and Adelina Kārkliņa in this nomination.
The award for the best amateur athlete of the year was won by the world masters champion in track cycling in the M50-54 group in the sprint and in the individual race, Ainārs Ķiksis, accompanied by loud applause. The titled athlete received this award for the first time. Krišjānis Jansons Ratiniks, the organizer of various cycling events and adventure camps, presented him with the award. Road cyclist Ęirts Vēvers and BMX athletes Kristaps Vekša, Renārs Auga and Ęirts Jonkus also applied for the award.
Olafs Lakučs, the head coach of the Latvian BMX national team, was recognized as the best coach of the year for the first time. Olaf’s student Mārtiņš Emīls Treimanis won second place in the European Cup overall in the U23 group, and was also fifth in the European Championship. Olaf’s students include athletes such as Noah Laake, Kārlis Pedraudzis, Reinars Pavlovs and other high-level achievers. The award was presented to Olaf by LRF president Sandis Ākis. Įrts Kātiņš, Edžus Treimanis, Sebastians Vēbers, Gatis Smukulis and Oskars Muižnieks also applied for the award.
The president of the BMX club “Mītavas Kumeļi”, the developer of BMX sports in Jelgava and the judge of the competition, Aivars Balbeks, were congratulated for their lifetime contribution to Latvian cycling. The esteemed man has been active in BMX cycling since 1994, but took over the management of the club in 2005, successfully leading it even now. Aivars is also actively involved in judging competitions, last year he also worked at the BMX European Championship in Valmiera. The award was presented to him by former BMX rider, LRF board member and supporter Edgars Dupats.
During the event, BMX, road and MTB athletes who achieved international success, laureates of national ranks in road, MTB and BMX, as well as the organizers of several competitions – Māras Štromberga agency, Māris Krūze, “Gravel Bike Latvia” and Matīss Kalveršs, who made a significant contribution to the development of cycling, were also welcomed. LRF president Sandis Ākis also presented awards to cooperation partners and supporters of the federation.
Resources used:
lrf.lv
