In 1962, Smiltene Sports School coach Jānis Akmentiņš organized the first Smiltene Cup cycling competition, launching a traditional event that continued until 2004 and was revived in 2019.
On May 15–16, 1965, Smiltene hosted the third Smiltene Cup cycling competitions, with cyclists participating from Latvia and Estonia.
By tradition, on the first day competitors raced in individual time trials, and points were awarded only to the top five riders (the Cup was awarded to the best rider based on the combined results of both days).
First day results:
Women’s race:
R. Plūce, R. Kehre, A. Spāde, I. Tirziņa, E. Sonka, S. Vēbere.
Men’s race (25 km):
P. Jeferts, V. Ribakovs, J. Morziks, M. Fedosejevs, K. Lambots.
E. Morziks (Dz. Lācis suffered two punctures).
Youth race (20 km, 80 participants):
P. Džarcāns, J. Gaveris, A. Trahnovs, J. Palkavnieks,
A. Alksnis, Z. Vereskūns.
Girls:
A. Krieva, A. Grunte, M. Ziediņa.
Second day – mass start races.
Course length – 3.5 km (10 laps) through city streets.
To win the Cup, favorites had to finish
at least within the top six.
The newsreel shows crashes on a steep descent involving K. Kohs, Dz. Lācis, J. Morziks, and other athletes.
Men’s race:
J. Pergs, K. Lambots, P. Jeferts, R. Sonks, E. Morziks.
Women’s race:
H. Andersone, R. Plūce, E. Sonka, E. Tirziņa,
U. Hālu, R. Kehre.
Youth race (6 laps):
J. Gavers, P. Džarcāns, E. Sapals,
J. Zacmanis, J. Nosovs, J. Torops.
Girls:
S. Antipova, M. Ziediņa, S. Pleiša.
Based on the combined results of both days, the Cup winners were:
Men – P. Jeferts (16 points)
Women – R. Plūce (17 points)
Youth – J. Gavers (18 points)
Girls – M. Ziediņa