Tomas Vaitkus had two successful days in his homeland of Lithuania. After he took the silver medal in the time trial on Friday, he won the national title in the road race on Saturday. Both races were held in Ignalina.

“The road race was a big goal of mine, which all my competitors knew coming into the race and made me an easy target. I was lucky there was a crosswind, making the race harder and allowing me and to get in a breakaway of six riders. Though I did not have any Team Astana riders here, I am very grateful for the support I received from the Kazakh Ulan Team riders,” commented the fifth Astana Cycling Team rider to win a 2008 national championship.

For the Lithuanian champion, it is his second title in the event (2004, 2008). Vaitkus’ career highlights further include a gold medal on the U23 world championships time trial in 2002, a stage victory in the Giro d’Italia (2006) and two national time trial titles (2003, 2004).

Result Lithuania Road Championship (Ignalina, June 27th, 29 K):
1. Ignatas Konovalovas (Crédit Agricole); 2. Tomas Vaitkus (ASTANA) 0.51; 3. Evaldas Siskevicius (VC LA POMME MARSEILLE)

Result Lithuania Road Championship (Ignalina, June 27th, 29 K):
1. Tomas Vaitkus (ASTANA); 2. Andrius Buividas (CC ETUPES); 3. Marius Kukta (MAPORO NAMED – TEAM AURORA)

After three days of national championships, five Astana Cycling Team riders have captured their countries’ championship.

Lithuania Road Race: Tomas Vaitkus
Portugal TT: Sérgio Paulinho
Kazakhstan Road Race: Assan Bazayev
Russia TT: Vladimir Gusev
Kazakhstan TT: Andrey Mizurov