Born in Lithuania, Aivaras (22) is a rouleur who loves hard racing: from classics, to hilly races and time trials.
17.07.2024
Aivaras only started sports on a competitive level when he was 13. Back then a cycling coach visited his school and asked: “Is anyone interested in trying out cycling?”. He admitted that he had considered it once, but he was too shy to take the first step. That time, in 2016, he felt it was his moment and he went for a first training session with the coach. Some more followed. In the Summer, the coach went to Rio for the Olympics, leaving his riders alone for a full month. Aivaras didn’t enjoy training alone and lost motivation. However, when the coach came back and said he wanted him to get ready for his first race, Aivaras was excited and scared at the same time. Race after race, he did well and got selected for a training camp in Spain in March 2017.
In this camp, Aivaras was surrounded by older riders and living the dream without much discipline. He trained in the evening, was going full gas on climbs and eating junk food. This initial excitement turned soon into a passion, and Aivaras started taking it more seriously in 2019. Aged 16, he took part in his first UCI junior raceand learned the hard way: “I think I crashed 20 times that year.” (laughs).
In 2020, Aivaras was scouted to be part of the Ampler Development Team. In his first year in the U23 category, the youngster won the Lithuanian Championships in the U23 road race and finished second in the Elite ITT and RR.The following season, Aivaras confirmed his U23 title by winning the Elite TT title and added a silver medal in the road race. Race after race, his experience increased, his shape improved until he received a message in September. Aivaras remembers it well: “Hello, we are building a new team for next year and we would like to have you with us”. It came from Boris Zimine, now Head of Development with Tudor Pro Cycling. Two short calls were enough to convince Aivaras: “They showed me a presentation about the project, the future of the team, the development and I thought: Ok, this looks promising! The morning after I called to confirm that I would like to join the team.”
In 2023, Aivaras started his season with the Pro Team in Belgium: “I was selected for GP Criquelion and Monseré. It was stressful and exciting at the same time. I was racing with guys I had always watched on TV, didn’t know much my teammates, was shy and wanted to give my best for the team.”Combining racing with the Pro and the Devo Team, Aivaras confirmed his Elite National TT title and could race in the national stripes for the first time in August at Tour of Denmark where he rode with the Pro Team.
This year, he debuted in February with the Pro Team and continued with the Devo. Racing the Giro Next Gen, Aivras couldn’t compete in the TT national Championships but got the silver medal in both U23 and Elite road race.
Besides cycling, Aivaras studies Sports Coaching at the Lithuanian Sports University. He plans to move to Kaunas (the university city) at the end of this season to focus on his last exams and be able to graduate next year before further sports management studies.When he’s not on his bike nor studying, Aivaras likes spending time with his family and his girlfriend. His younger brother Kristupas is also a cyclist, and his favorite training partner when at home.
You’re wondering how Aivaras keeps motivated in cold Lithuanian Winters? We did too. “When I was younger, I always trained indoors or practiced something else: running, soccer, and I was doing a lot of gym back then. As U23, I got a MTB and started riding outside, between two and three hours, and then I also got a Gravel Bike, which was even better.” Last Winter, Aivaras spent a lot of time in Spain, where the team rented a house for the riders (read the story here).
Aivaras wants to develop into a classics rider and leadout man. He would love to be at the start of the Tour de France one day. and win a big one-day race: “World Championships or a classic like Paris-Roubaix or Gent-Wevelgem would be amazing”. Lover of hard racing, Aivaras’ dream is to win solo and enjoy the taste of victory on the last kilometer. We cannot wish anything better for him.
Photos: Filip Bezdek