This year’s Tour de Hongrie ended with a 168 km etape between Kecskemét and Székesfehérvár. In the finish of Székesfehérvár in a really exciting and spectacular sprint Dutch Wouter Wippert could win. Regarding the general classification, the yellow jersey was not in danger, the 24-year-old Latvian champion, Krists Neiilands got the victory, moreover, Hungarian fans were able to be extra happy and proud as two Hungarian talents, Márton Dina and Attila Valter came 2nd and 3rd in the GC.
In Kecskemét before the start the atmosphere was a bit excited, so as the riders, even if there were not many opened questions before the etape. On Staruday – on the day when Márton Dina and Attila Valter permormed extraordinarily – few facts were decided, in the hills of Kékestető: red jersey (climber classification) went to Neilands, Dina was 2nd, so in the last stage he could wear the red jersey.
It was also almost certain that Neilands becomes the overall winner of the general classification, his advantage was more than a minute so it seemed quite enough. Then, the question regarding the white jersey for the best Hungarian rider was also answered, Márton Dina and Attila Valter had real chance to win it, however, they know each other very well from their childhood so it was sure that they will not attack each other.
What was the opened question? Well, the green jersey, the result of the sprinter’s classification. To win it it was neccessary to perform well in sprints during the stage not to mention to win the stage.
After the start, the squad of the leader, Israel Cycling Academy, controlled the peloton, then a small breakaway succeeded, 3 riders attacked, Serbia’s Danilovic, Poland’s Paluta and Czech Kalorijos. Their biggest advantage was 4 minutes, they were in the front until Székesfehérvár, but finally, for the last few kilometres they were caught.
The finish was so exciting, the teams of the best and strongest sprinters led, finally, EvoPro Racing’s Dutch star, Wouter Wippert won, in front of French Hofstetter (Team Cofidis) and the 2016 winner of Tour de Hongrie, Estonia’s Mihkel Raim (Israel Cycling Academy), the winner of last year, Manuel Belletti (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec). The best and fastest Hungarian was Ádám Karl today, the cyclist of the National Team of Hungary came 12th.
This was a really wonderful finish for us -said Wouter Wippert after his victory. Last week we were competing in very cold weather conditions, then this one was so hot and dry, our team worked a lot, we came here to win a stage and we did it.”
Well, the green jersey went to Manuel Belletti, the Iltalian start was the best sprinter this year.
6 days, 890 km, 106 riders (from 129) – in numbers, at the end, this was the Tour de Hongrie in 2019.
As mentioned before, the yellow jersey stayed on Neilands, however, the most sensational fact is the brilliant performance of two Hungarians: in the strongest peloton ever in the history of Tour de Hongrie, Márton Dina and Attila Valter could stood on the podium, they came 2nd and 3rd in the general classification.
„We arrived here to win the race, however, to tell the truth, i was also surprised that after the Giro d’Italia we were in such good shape. This victory could not have been reached without team work, the all squad did a lot to achieve this, we did it together. This was the very first overall victory in my carreer, i will definitely never forget it” – said Neilands after the finish.
„Before the race i hoped to be in the top10, but my job was also to help our no. 1. rider, to assist my team mates – mentioned Márton Dina. – When i had a chance to achieve someting, i took it and showed what i can. This was not a difficult stage today so there was no chance to change the GC results, the advantage of the winner was enough, however, i am really very happy and satisfied with the week and with today, it is a wonderful result.”
40. Tour de Hongrie
Stage5, Kecskemét–Székesfehérvár (168km):
1. Wouter Wippert (holland, EvoPro Racing) 3:53:47
2. Hugo Hofstetter (francia, Cofidis) st
3. Mihkel Raim (észt, Israel Cycling Academy) st
4. Manuel Belletti (olasz, Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) st
5. Hakon Trond Trondsen (norvég, Team Coop) st
6. Aaron Grosser (német, Bike Aid) st
12. Karl Ádám (magyar válogatott) st
General classification:
1. Krists Neilands (lett, Izrael Cycling Academy) 21:12:00
2. Dina Márton (magyar, Kometa Cycling Team) +1:22
3. Valter Attila (magyar, CCC Development Team) +1:26
4. Edoardo Zardini (olasz, Neri Sottoli-Selle Italia-KTM) +1:45
5. Giovanni Visconti (olasz, Neri Sottoli-Selle Italia-KTM) +1:58
6. Juan Pedro Lopez (spanyol, Kometa Cycling Team) +2:04
17. Fetter Erik (magyar, Pannon Cycling Team) +3:02
Source: tourdehongrie.com
Photos: Tdh.hu/Vanik Zoltán, Pertorini Márió, Halmágyi Zsolt, Tuba Zoltán
