Lithuania’s only professional road cycling team, Energus, has begun preparations for the 2026 season. The strongest team in the Nordic–Baltic region will soon gather for its first training camp in Spain, before officially opening the season in early March at UCI-sanctioned races in Croatia. Ahead of the season, Energus received significant international recognition as the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, Decathlon, became an official partner of the team.

For the 2026 season, Energus will field a strong international roster, including Latvian riders Martinšs Plūto, Olivers Skrapčis and Kārlis Klismets, Estonian Raits Arms, Polish rider Marceli Pera, Ukrainian brothers Heorhii and Pavlo Antonenko, as well as young Lithuanian talents Arnas Bilertas, Ignas Kertenis, Rokas Kmieliauskas, Dovydas Bružas, Aironas Gerdauskas, Nikolas Klimavičius and Olegas Ivanovas.

“The training camp will begin on February 8 in Dénia, Spain – one of Europe’s key cycling hubs, where the world’s strongest teams prepare during the winter period. Our riders will spend a full month building form there, and towards the end of February part of the team will travel to Croatia to open the racing season. We are pleased that the race organisers have placed their trust in us. These early races will allow us to objectively assess our preparation and, we hope, start the season on a positive note,” said Ignatas Konovalovas, Executive Director of the Energus Cycling Team.

On March 5, the team will compete in the UMAG Classic, followed by the POREČ Classic on March 9 – both UCI one-day races. Often referred to as early-season classics, these events bring together professional and continental teams to test their form ahead of major European races.

Former professional cyclist Ignatas Konovalovas, who took over leadership of the team in October 2025, notes that while assembling a high-performance roster was the first major milestone, preparation for the season extends far beyond rider selection.

“Professional sport is not only about training and racing. It also involves logistics, nutrition, equipment, access to high-level competitions and ensuring that riders have sufficient race opportunities. At this stage, we are addressing many organisational and management-related aspects that will determine the team’s long-term growth and competitiveness,” Konovalovas explains, sharing the exclusive news that, ahead of the season, the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, Decathlon, has become a partner of Energus.

“This partnership is a clear signal that professional cycling in our region is visible and relevant to global sports industry leaders. We are proud of this collaboration – it is an important partnership that validates the team’s potential and confirms that we are moving in the right direction. It will allow us to focus more fully on sporting development and our long-term vision,” says Konovalovas.

According to representatives of Decathlon, the decision to support the Energus cycling team was influenced by the team’s long-term vision and systematic approach to athlete development. “When working with representatives of professional sports, we look beyond short-term results. The Energus team stands out with a clear organizational model, commitment to developing young athletes, and ambition to expand internationally. Supporting the development of cycling in the region is important to us, and we firmly believe that a sustainable future in sports can only be created when professional achievements and youth development go hand in hand,” said Decathlon’s General Manager for the Baltic States, Jordane Czapski.

The partnership will extend beyond the professional squad, benefiting the Energus Talent Academy, which brings together more than 60 young cyclists. Decathlon will contribute by supplying essential training equipment, helping young riders develop in a professional environment from their very first steps in the sport.