Sam Welsford gets his revenge with a stage win in Hungary, and crashes in the team sprint

Sam Welsford has won the first stage of the 2024 Tour of Hungary after a chaotic final stage. After more than 166 kilometers, he was fastest in the speed race on the streets of Hajdoszoboszlo. The race was rocked by several serious falls. Welsford stayed out of trouble and won, ahead of Samuel Quaranta (MBH Kulbak Balan) and Jakub Mareczko (Kuratic Fini Fantini).

The first stage of the Tour of Hungary was held in eastern Hungary. Riders found almost no obstacles on the road between Karkaj and Hajdoszoboszlo. Three laps awaited at the finish on a circuit approximately 20 kilometers long. The race’s first leader’s jersey will most likely go to the runner.

Four front-runners colored the race from the start. Mikkel Pizkara (Euskaltel-Euskadi) was the most famous name, because in addition to Basque, Balazs Rózsa (Epronex-Hungary), Martin Voltr (Pierre Baguette Cycling) and Viktor Filutás (National Selection of Hungary) were also on the break. today. They were more than two minutes ahead of Mark Cavendish’s Astana Kazakhstan and Dylan Groenewegen’s Djeko Alala.

Photo: Cor Foss

It was bad luck in the peloton for Peter Sagan, as the world-famous Slovakian from Pierre Paget’s junior team crashed in the first hour. Fortunately, he was able to continue on his way. Nothing stood in the way of the fast sprint in Hajduszoboszlo. The four leaders arrived at the local circuit with the lead, but the cooperation was not good.

Volter continued solo 38 kilometers from the finish. He gained some space, but on the last lap the pace increased and the Czech was caught. Then his teammate Peter Sagan suffered a flat tire in the final, but was still able to return.

Accidents spoil the speed race
In the sprint, Cavendish fell well into the final kilometre, but the Briton was unable to finish in the final straight. It became a chaotic race with several high-speed crashes. Like a jack of all trades, Sam Welsford emerged as a winner. The Australian was recently passed by BORA-hansgrohe in the Giro d’Italia, so this will be seen as revenge for not being selected.

Two Italians completed the top three behind Welsford: Samuel Quaranta (MBH Bank Colpack Ballan) and Jakub Mariczko (Corratec-Vini Fantini) took second and third. Nicklas Pedersen gave the Tour de Tietema-Unibet fourth place, while Cavendish finished sixth. Jarni van de Baar was the first Belgian to finish in the top ten. Dylan Groenewegen fell outside the top 10 after having to avoid a fall.

#ElMundoRuedaXSeñal | ¡Finaaaaaaaal coincidence in the test! They waited for us to finish the day’s ride with Australian Sam Welsford del Porra – and he stuck with the trio.

Mira L #TourdeHongrie Aka 🖥 👉 https://t.co/REiLk944pJ pic.twitter.com/2m7YmQl0e3

– Senal Deportes (@SenalDeportes) May 8, 2024