Dylan Groenewegen expertly weaved his way to victory on stage 1 of the Tour de Hongrie, winning a hotly-contested sprint finish after avoiding a pile-up crash inside the final kilometre.
The Dutchman was well guided by his teammates throughout the 169km stage, and was launched with just over 300 metres to go.
Stellar work throughout the day from team-mates Jan Maas and Rudy Porter on the front of the bunch to control a breakaway were then converted by a solid finale from Luka Mezgec, Elmar Reinders and Kell O’Brien as they guided Groenewegen through a tight last few kilometres.
Maas was caught up in the crash but was back on his feet shortly after, and Groenewegen avoided the trouble as he lasered in on the fast finish.
It was tight on the line as Groenewegen beat Sam Bennett by the smallest of margins, to take his third win of the season.
Dylan Groenewegen:
“For sure it was hectic, but it was what we expected before the race. It was a very fast final with some wind from the back. It was a bit stressful, but the team was really good at the right moments.
I was a bit boxed in, Bora were there with their leadout but I was there with Mezgec, and I got in the slipstream and it was a really nice sprint between Bennett and me. It was a very close win, and it was great to start Tour of Hungary like this.
For the first race again after a break this was a really nice result, with a great leadout, and I’m really proud of the boys.”
Tristan Hoffman (Sport Director):
“We took responsibility during the stage by swapping off Rudy and Jan to make the tempo in the peloton. Then the other guys took over. Elmar brought the boys to the front and then Luka did a great job to open the gap for Dylan.
It was close but Dylan just got the win, so it was very satisfying. Fortunately Jan is okay after the crash too.”
2023 Tour de Hongrie – Stage 1:
- Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco-AlUla) 3:42:56
- Sam Bennett ST
- Caleb Ewan ST
