Gatis Smukulis (Katusha) confirmed his status at the best Latvian time triallist when he took his fifth consecutive national title. The Katusha rider beat Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM) by just 8 seconds while Krists Neilands (Rietumu) was 2.22 behind in third.

Smukulis is known as a hard-working domestique at the Katusha team but every year he gets the chance to ride for himself at his national championships. Today all was set for another battle between Smukulis and Saramotins who had finished 1-2 four years in a row.

Again Smukulis came out on top as he was 8 seconds faster than his compatriot on the 35km course in Dobele. While it was a fifth consecutive success for the Katusha rider, it was another disappointment for Saramotins who has now finished second 7 years in a row!

Smukulis took over the crown from Raivis Belohvosciks who won the title 10 times from 2000 to 2010, only missing out in 2004.

Smukulis and Saramotins will again be the favourite for Sunday's road race where Andris Vosekalns is the defending champion.