Latvia’s premier mountain bike and gravel cycling series is set to kick off its landmark 25th season on April 26, with the traditional route from Cēsis to Valmiera marking the opening stage.
The announcement came during the season presentation held Friday in Riga’s Arkādija Park, where organizers unveiled key updates for the 2026 campaign and local teams shared their goals ahead of the opening ride.
This year’s Latvia State Forests MTB and Gravel Marathon will feature six stages across the country, including events in Sigulda, Rankas Kartonfabrikā, Ogre, and Smiltene, with the Cēsis stage returning to the calendar after a brief absence.
Organizers highlighted several innovations, including the rebranding of the “Lielbāta” MTB distance as the “Everest” MTB race, and the introduction of a “Kool” active rider jersey for youth and junior competitors in the W15–18 and M15–18 age groups.
A fresh mixed-team category will also debut in the Everest distance, requiring teams of two men and two women with unique team names, adding a fresh competitive dimension to the series.
The “Toyota” Gravel marathon will cover 60 to 95 kilometers, primarily on forest and wider woodland trails, while the “Everest” MTB route spans 35 to 55 kilometers. A leisurely “LVM Atpūtas braucienu” ride of 20 to 30 kilometers and fun-filled children’s races under the “Maxima” banner will also be offered.
Technical challenges will appear throughout the season, with the opening stage featuring a sand sector near the finish line in Valmiera.
Prestige will be heightened at the Rankas Kartonfabrikā stage, which has been elevated to Latvian Championship status in MTB marathon racing, following recognition as one of the series’ most highly regarded events.
Over the past 25 years, more than 17,000 participants have completed at least one stage of the series, with 18 different riders claiming overall season victories in the sport category. Aleksejs Saramotins leads the title count with three wins, while Jānis Ozols and Ģirts Cirvelis are the most successful riders in the mass-participation category.
Registration for the 2026 season remains open at www.velo.lv, where fans and riders can learn more about the upcoming stages and sign up to take part in the jubilee year.
