Motorcyclists aged 5 to 80 from different countries competed in Orsha
Participants noted the excellently prepared track – a six-meter-wide dirt track about 2 km long.
Nearly 100 riders aged 5 to 80 competed in various categories. On the first day, awards were presented in five classes of the National Cup. Among the 20 young riders, Yevgeny Mironov and Stas Kashlyak from Minsk were undisputed leaders, while Viktoria Gorovets from Orsha took victory among the girls.
The fierce competition of motorcycle sidecar crews was no less exciting to watch. Losing by just one point to athletes from Grodno, Leonid and Alexey Taranov from Vitebsk became silver medalists, and the twin brothers Valery and Andrey Zhivutsky from Orsha finished third.
The "silver" of the Republic of Belarus Cup went to Vitebsk motocross rider Vladimir Dankov in the "ATV Sport" class.
By the way, Orsha is not coincidentally recognized as a center for motorsport. As Nikolai Velyugo, an honorary member of DOSAAF of the Republic of Belarus, a senior national category judge, and a master of sports in motocross, explained, selection, national, and international competitions in auto and motorcycle racing, karting, and modeling have been held here for four decades.
The Orsha region has nurtured a whole galaxy of renowned athletes, world, European, and national champions. Such as motocross rider Oleg Sazanovets. He was one of the commentators for the current open championship of the country, while his son Alexander and grandson Artem navigated the steep turns. Each finished first in their respective categories. And this happened despite an unforeseen event – Alexander Sazanovets' motorcycle lost its brakes at the end of the first lap. In those sections of the track where slowing down was necessary, the man had to "fly at full sail" at his own risk. However, everything worked out, and after
Representatives of three generations of the dynasty shook hands at the successful finish.
Fourteen-year-old Artem shared his impressions: "I was hoping for victory, as behind me are ten years of training and competitions. I've been driving since I was 4 years old thanks to my grandfather. First, it was a mini-moped, now it's motorcycles with an engine displacement of 125 cc. In a season that lasts from March to October, I participate in more than 50 competitions of various levels. I have competed in world and European championships. I like the powerful energy and extreme nature of this sport." In addition to the cup and medals, Artem will also receive a brand new KTM-125 motorcycle.
A fierce struggle on the track unfolded between sports veterans – Molodechno motocross rider Vitaly Korostik and guest from Germany Mike Vogel. With a difference of five points, the Belarusian athlete won the Cup from the German.
According to the results of the team standings, the first and third places went to Minsk residents, the second – to the Children and Youth Sports School of Orsha.
Olga Lebedeva, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye vesti".