Hungary 13 May – 17 May 2026 Class 2.Pro – Stages – UCI ProSeries
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The 2026 Tour de Hongrie (UCI ProSeries 2.Pro) is scheduled to take place from May 13 to May 17, 2026. This 47th edition of the race features five stages covering approximately 830–837 km, starting in Békés County and finishing in the “European Capital of Sport” for 2026, Veszprém.
📅 Stage Schedule & Route
| Stage | Date | Route | Distance | Terrain / Type |
| Stage 1 | May 13 | Gyula – Békéscsaba | 143 km | Flat (Sprinters) |
| Stage 2 | May 14 | Szarvas – Paks | 202 km | Flat / Steep finale |
| Stage 3 | May 15 | Kaposvár – Szekszárd | 152 km | Flat / Hilly (1000m+ gain) |
| Stage 4 | May 16 | Mohács – Pécs | 188 km | Mountainous (Lapis climb) |
| Stage 5 | May 17 | Balatonalmádi – Veszprém | 144 km | Hilly / Decisive finale |
🔍 Stage Highlights
- Stage 1: A historic start in Békés County. It’s a completely flat day likely to end in a massive bunch sprint, though wind could play a role.
- Stage 2: The longest stage of the race. It crosses the Danube and features a unique, short but steep climb (7% gradient) in the final kilometer in Paks.
- Stage 4: The “Queen Stage.” Starting in Mohács (on the 500th anniversary year of the famous battle), it concludes with the brutal Bárány Road and Lapis climbs in Pécs, often the deciding factor for the General Classification.
- Stage 5: A circuit-based finale around the Balaton region, finishing in Veszprém. With nearly 2,000 meters of elevation gain, it offers one last chance for attackers to shake up the podium.
🚴 Participating Teams (Confirmed/Expected)
The race features a mix of WorldTeams, ProTeams, and the Hungarian National Team. Notable entries for 2026 include:
- WorldTeams: UAE Team Emirates, Bahrain Victorious, Soudal Quick-Step, Lidl-Trek, Team Jayco AlUla, Astana Qazaqstan.
- ProTeams: Cofidis, MBH Bank CSB Telecom, Q36.5 Pro Cycling, Caja Rural-Seguros RGA.
Note: As of May 11, the race is just two days away. Team presentations take place on May 12 at Gyula Castle.
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
Results powered by FirstCycling.com
The Tour de Hongrie, also known as the “Hungarian Tour,” is a race defined by resilience. Since its inception a century ago, it has survived world wars, political regime changes, and long hiatuses to become a premier event on the UCI ProSeries calendar.
🏛️ Origins and the “Heroic Era” (1925–1945)
The race was first organized in 1925 by the Budapesti Kerékpározók Egyesülete (Budapest Cycling Association).
- The First Winner: Károly Jerzsabek won the inaugural 515 km race, which took three days to complete on unpaved roads and heavy steel bikes.
- Early Growth: The race quickly became a source of national pride, though it was held sporadically due to the Great Depression and the outbreak of World War II.
- International Appeal: By the late 1920s, foreign riders (particularly from Italy and Austria) began competing, turning it into a regional powerhouse.
🚩 The Socialist Era (1945–1965)
Following WWII, the race was revived under the communist regime. During this period, it served as a platform for “amateur” state-sponsored athletes from the Eastern Bloc.
- The Peace Race Rivalry: The Tour de Hongrie often competed for prestige with the famous “Peace Race” (Berlin–Prague–Warsaw).
- The Long Silence: In 1965, the race was abruptly discontinued. For nearly 30 years, Hungarian cycling lacked its flagship national tour as focus shifted toward other sports.
🔄 Revival and Professionalization (1993–2005)
Following the fall of the Iron Curtain, the race was brought back to life in 1993.
- New Beginnings: The restart was modest, but it regained UCI status and began attracting professional continental teams.
- Financial Struggles: Despite its popularity, the race faced chronic funding issues, leading to another period of instability between 2006 and 2014.
🚀 The Modern “Golden Age” (2015–Present)
The current iteration of the race began in 2015 with a new organizational team that transformed it into a world-class event.
- UCI Status Climb: The race moved from a 2.2 category to 2.1 in 2018, and finally achieved UCI ProSeries (2.Pro) status in 2023.
- WorldTour Participation: Today, the race attracts the elite of the cycling world, including teams like INEOS Grenadiers, UAE Team Emirates, and Soudal Quick-Step.
- The “Valter Effect”: The rise of Hungarian star Attila Valter (who wore the Pink Jersey in the Giro d’Italia) sparked a massive surge in local interest, turning the race into a televised spectacle with hundreds of thousands of roadside fans.
📊 Quick Facts & Records
| Category | Record / Detail |
| Most Wins | 3 (László Dolhai and Győző Török) |
| First Non-European Winner | Daniel Jaramillo (Colombia, 2017) |
| Traditional Finale | Historically finished in Budapest; currently favors Veszprém or Pécs. |
| Jersey Colors | Yellow (GC Leader), Green (Points), Red (Climber), White (Best Hungarian). |
Fun Fact: During the very first race in 1925, the riders had to set off at 4:00 AM to ensure they could reach the finish lines before sunset, as street lighting was nearly non-existent outside of major cities!
