According to Indrek Kelk, the chief organizer of the Tour of Estonia, the return of the prologue is an important step in the cycling tour's program. “After several years, we can organize a prologue again, and we also found an interesting solution for this – the Pirita velodrome. The film “Our Erika” was partly the inspiration, but the original author of the idea is Gert Kivistik, the Club Tartu Maraton construction and course manager and former professional cyclist, who has himself ridden a similar format cycling tour,” explained Kelk.
Significant changes have also been made to the Tallinn-Tartu stage, which will take place on June 5. Although the course is largely similar to last year’s, the length of the competition route will increase and this year the cyclists will have to cover a total of 203 kilometers. The longer distance is due to the change in the location of the technical start.
“Immediately after the cyclists reach Assaku, the official start will be given. This will make the competition route longer and more attractive,” said Kelk.
Upon arriving in Tartu, a special solution awaits the cyclists in Tartu’s old town. For the second year in a row, the riders will turn right from Vabaduse street to Raekoja street and from there to the cobblestone climb on Lossi Street, where the stage winner will be determined.
Saturday's Tartu GP will also take place on a renewed course. In addition, the riders will have to complete 14 laps instead of the previous 16, because the course is longer.
"We have tried to bring back the old classic, the Jakobi street climb. After the Lossi street cobblestone climb, there will no longer be a turn onto Vallikraavi street, but rather a ride via Baeri street to Jakobi hill. Due to this change, the Vanemuise street climb will no longer be in the race," Kelk described.
According to him, the race itself will show how the new circuit works. "We will see if and how this change works and whether the ride will become harder or easier. According to Jaan Kirsipuu, the new solution will make the circuit even harder," he added.
Estonian National Team rider Oskar Nisu believes that the home team has a strong chance of fighting for high places this year.
“The level of the team is strong and consistent, and we have many different cards to play with. If we ride well, we can turn any scenario to our advantage,” said Nisu.
The Estonian team for the Tour of Estonia this year includes:
Romet Pajur, Markus Pajur, Norman Vahtra, Oskar Nisu, Markus Mäeuibo, Lauri Tamm and Karl Patrick Lauk.
According to Nisu, the prologue at the beginning of the cycling tour adds excitement to the race. “There will definitely be some time difference there, and it will be difficult to get those seconds back later if the group stays together. This makes the race interesting from the start,” he noted.
The Tour of Estonia will take place this year on June 4-6 and will bring the top international cycling athletes from both Estonia and abroad to the roads and streets of Estonia.
