For the fourth year in a row, Gatis Smukulis (Katusha) has won the Latvian time trial championships, thus continuing an impressive string in his national race. Aleksejs Saramotins (IAM) kept an even more impressive streak alive as he finished second for the sixth year in a row!

Gatis Smukulis has again proved that he is the best time triallist in Latvia by securing himself a fourth consecutive title. The Katusha rider emerged as the strongest in the expected battel with Aleksejs Saramotins whilse Andzs Flaksis (Rietiumu) completed the podium.

The defeat must have been a bitter pill to swallow for Saramotins as his runner-up spot was his sixth in a row. Previously he has twice finished second behind former time trial ace Raivis Belohvosciks who dominated the event for more than a decade and now he has found a new unbeatable force in Smukulis.

Smukulis and Saramotins will face off again on Sunday in the road race where the latter is the reigning champion.

Result:

1. Gatis Smukulis

2. Aleksejs Saramotins

3. Andzs Flaksis