In 1974, from June 15 to June 16, at the “Daugava” Velodrome*, the Riga Film Studio newsreel sports review “Grand Prize” sprint competition was held.
The film chronicle shows how, accompanied by a brass band, Latvian cycling veterans entered the track: Alberts Džarcāns, Alma Lassi, Laimrota Kalvāne, Jēkabs Vilsons, Artūrs Pops, Faris Kučinskis, Aivars Išakovs and Imants Bodnieks. The veterans were presented with roses by actresses I. Jansone and Mirdza Martinsone.
The competition flag was raised by the 1973 champion Juris Isajenko.
43 athletes competed in the sprint events, while 12 pairs took part in the 4 km tandem pursuit.
🏁 Competition Results
Sprint:
1. Imants Stalizāns
2. Agris Buravs
3. Juris Isajenko
4 km tandem pursuit:
1st place – T. Villemā / U. Tomā (Estonia)
2nd place – Dzintars Brūvers / Igo Japiņš
3rd place – Arnis Lazdiņš / Normunds Noreiko
40-lap group race (with 10 intermediate sprints):
1. Igo Japiņš
2. J. Reinfelds
3. Aleksandrs Osipovs
The prize for Best Young Sprinter was awarded to R. Bogustovs.
*For reference: until 1940 and after 1989, the velodrome was known as “Marss”.
▶️ Watch the video chronicle