At the end of this month, from August 22–24, the legendary Baltic Chain Tour will return after a one-year pause. This three-day competition will kick off in Latvia and culminate on the hilly and technical roads of South Estonia. A total of 17 international teams are expected at the start, including Baltic squads: the Estonian national team, Quick Pro Team, Peloton, ENERGUS cycling team, National Team of Latvia and National Team of Lithuania.
Stages
August 22 – Stage I
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Stage IA (Riga, Biķernieki Circuit, 7.5 km)
The tour opens with a fast team time trial at Riga’s Biķernieki Circuit. -
Stage IB (Riga–Valga, 186.5 km)
The longest stage, running along Latvia’s scenic roads and finishing in Valga. Intermediate sprints will take place in Sigulda and Smiltene. The finish line is set in Valga’s central square.
August 23 – Stage II (Tartu–Antsla–Tartu, 175.6 km)
The riders will face the hilly terrain of South Estonia. The first and third intermediate sprints are located near Andre Farm, while the second one takes place next to Urvaste Church where we have beautiful “Urvaste ürgorg”.
August 24 – Stage III (Tartu–Kuremaa–Tartu, 170.5 km)
The tour concludes with a road race through Jõgeva County. Intermediate sprints are set in Kastre, Kuremaa, and Laiuse.
The competition center for Stages II and III, including both the start and finish areas, will be located next to the Estonian Agricultural Museum in Ülenurme.
A real challenge for both riders and organizers
Race director Allar Tõnissaar admits that the new addition of a team time trial will be a true test for both the athletes and organizers:
“Making the first stage this tough is quite a nut to crack for the riders and organizers alike. The idea behind it is simple: right now only two countries are organizing the tour, and to motivate teams to come, two stages aren’t enough. We need at least three, or even more, because that one extra day is crucial for them in terms of UCI points and prize money.”
According to Tõnissaar, fans are warmly welcomed to cheer along the course wherever suits them best. Costumes and banners are encouraged. Each competition center will feature a big screen broadcasting the race live, allowing spectators to follow the action from all parts of the stage.
Route maps and the full time schedule can be found here: https://balticchaintour.com/et/programm/
Estonian national team lines up with a young sprinter: “We’re going for the win!”
Head coach Alo Jakin has built the national team around young sprint talent Karl Kurits (Israel – Premier Tech Academy), supported by strong elite riders:
“Our goal was to put together as strong a team as possible for the Baltic Chain Tour, to set up Kurits for a powerful sprint finish in the stages. […] Kurits proved in the Tour of Lithuania that if he can beat Martin Laas (Quick Pro Team) at the finish, then why not others as well.”
According to Jakin, the overall level of the tour is evenly matched, and surprises could come from any team, which should make for an open and tightly contested race.
The Estonian national team includes Karl Kurits, Markus Mäeuibo, Lauri Tamm, Rait Ärm, Markus Pajur, and Norman Vahtra.
Quick Pro Team sends in younger riders under the Estonian flag
Estonian pro cyclist Mihkel Räim, somewhat unexpectedly on the bench this year alongside Martin Laas, sees plenty of potential in the younger lineup to fight for both stage and overall victories:
“We have Karl Patrick Lauk, who can definitely ride for the overall win, and why not a couple of younger guys who just came back from the high mountains of China, which might work in their favor. Also Oskar Küüt, who finished fourth in a stage of a pro race in Indonesia – and those stages were by no means easy. I think he has great chances here to compete for both stage wins and the general classification.”
Räim notes that this year’s team time trial might not be won purely with strength, but rather by the team that manages corners best and sets their strategy right.
The Quick Pro Team lineup will feature Karl Patrick Lauk, Martti Lenzius, Oskar Küüt, Aaron Aus, Gleb Karpenko, and Oskar Nisu, who is making his comeback after injury and illness.
The Baltic Chain Tour offers spectators a unique opportunity to see international-level riders racing right on their home roads. The organizers invite everyone to line the course, cheer, and support their favorites.
