Wout Poels wins the final stage and secures 3rd place in the GC at Tour de Hongrie

Bahrain Victorious successfully wrapped up the Tour de Hongrie, with Wout Poels seizing victory on the final stage (Siófok-Pécs, 173.2km).

It was another challenging stage for the riders following two hard days in the saddle. The final stage featured a tough course with a local circuit in the finale, including 5 km at 7% with a first steep part 1,3 km at 13%.

Numerous attacks animated the stage from the beginning, with Dusan Rajovic making several attempts to initiate the breakaway that eventually formed with 157 km to go. It was a consecutive day in the break for our Serbian Champion, but the break was caught earlier today as the GC contenders looked to battle the stage out.

The race exploded on the brutal punchy climb to the finish, with Emanuel Buchmann (Bora-Hansgrohe) making a decisive move with 1.5 km to go. While the yellow jersey Thibau Nys and others fought to maintain contact, Wout Poels maintained his own rhythm, not responding to the attack immediately. In the final kilometre, Poels closed the gap to the leaders at the exact moment of a second attack from Buchmann. But in the final few hundred meters, Poels showed impeccable timing and speed to take a superb win in Pécs ahead of Howson (Q36.5) and Buchmann, with Nys in 4th, sealing the GC victory.

Tour de Hongrie 2024 – 4th5 Edition – 5th stage Siofok – Pecs 173,2 km – 12/05/2024 – Wouter Poels (NED – Bahrain – Victorious) – photo Szymon Gruchalski/CV/SprintCyclingAgency©2024

The Dutch rider’s outstanding performance let him climb two places in the General Classification to claim the final overall podium in third place:

“I suffered a lot in the finale, and I was always with a small gap, but I could manage to do my own pace. Then, in the last 150 meters, it became flat, and I went for the victory. In the second last climb, I was trying to force a little bit to split the group more, but it didn’t work out. Then, I saved energy for the last climb. It was an amazing atmosphere with all the people next to the road, and it was amazing to finish the Tour of Hungary with a victory.”

Tour de Hongrie 2024 – 4th5 Edition – 5th stage Siofok – Pecs 173,2 km – 12/05/2024 – Emanuel Buchmann (GER – BORA – hansgrohe) – Thibau Nys (BEL – Lidl – Trek) – Wouter Poels (NED – Bahrain – Victorious) – photo Szymon Gruchalski/CV/SprintCyclingAgency©2024

Michal Golas TBV Sports Director commented on the victory and week in Hungary: “I’m very happy with this result for Wout. He showed his power today, as he did throughout the week with all our guys. They deserved to end this week with a win. We were looking for it and trying every day. Nevertheless, Rajovic’s crash and a bit of misfortune in the sprints, they did a good job every day. This success and final GC podium will repay the team’s effort.”

_Newsletter

GET LATEST UPDATES FROM
TEAM BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS

Receive the Team Bahrain Victorious newsletter with the most popular content and updates.

Team Bahrain Victorious Kit

GEAR UP FOR GLORY

Team Bahrain Victorious Off-Bike Clothing

WEAR WHAT PROS WEAR