Balatonalmádi, Wednesday 15th of August – After a whole day carrying the weight of the race on their shoulders, the Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec team mates were fully rewarded by the victory of their leader and world-class Manuel Belletti. He claimed for victory at the outcome of a royal sprint, ahead of his fellow countryman and future star Matteo Moschetti (Polartec-Kometa), riding his last races with the continental team before joining Trek-Segafredo for 2019. Kamil Malecki (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) is third.
April showers bring May flowers. Sunglasses were back on the noses and a nice smell of sunscreen was filling the air of the team car park this Wednesday. Exit Siófok, its clubs and trendy patios, the peloton had an appointment with Balatonalmádi, charming amphitheatre-like location, embraced between the red sandstone hills and the bank of Lake Balaton.
After an incredible ride along the north-eastern bank of the Lake, the race quickly reasserted itself. The first categorised climb, leading to Tihany Abbey, was served as an appetizer after only 24 kms racing. Team Polartec-Kometa must have had pins and needles in the legs because after taking 2017 Under 23 Spain National Champion Isaac Canton Serrano up to the first mountain sprint, the team managed to position him in the first breakaway of this 2018 Tour de Hongrie. The Spanish rider was soon accompanied by András Szatmary from Hungarian Pannon Cycling Team, cheered by the numerous spectators on the side of the road.
Worn out by the very demanding route, Szatmary could not play opposite to the 22-years-old Spanish who entered the final circuit solo with an interesting but not sufficient 1’43 advantage. Indeed, the scenario of the two men was leaving aside the intensity of the sprinters’ teams who were not very inclined of offering the win to the young Canton Serrano. At the second crossing of the finish line, the huge crowd gathered on the Main Square witnessed a peloton completely cut in two, with in the first group only thirty or so men (including Yellow Jersey) able to follow the rhythm set by the two leading teams, Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec and CCC Sprandi Polkowice. In spite of several attempts to escape, the two teams were forming an indestructible orange and red wall.
The third lap was the last one and Manuel Belletti (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) only had to complete the work of his teammates. Matteo Moschetti, the young star of the sprint from Polartec-Kometa and future World Tour rider at Trek Segafredo, is second. Kamil Malecki (CCC Sprandi) came third and completes the royal podium of this first stage.
STAGE RESULTS
1. Manuel Belletti (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) in 03:36:18
2. Matteo Moschetti (Polartec-Kometa) s.t
3. Kamil Malecki (CCC Sprandi Polkowice) s.t
GENERAL CLASSIFICATION
1. Manuel Belletti (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec)
2. Patrick Schelling (Team Vorarlberg Santic) at 00:09
3. Charles Planet (Team Novo Nordisk) at 00:10
