Team Novo Nordisk go into Tour of Hungary on a high
09 May 2022
A great week of racing in Greece sets the world’s first all diabetes professional cycling team up well going into the 43rd edition of the Tour de Hongrie with sprinter Andrea Peron and Catalan climber David Lozano both in form and hungry for more results.
Peron achieved the team’s third podium of the year when he sprinted into second place on stage two at the Tour of Hellas, following it up with fourth on stage 4 before Lozano took up the GC reigns and climbed up to 13th overall to cap a superb all round team performance.
“Having your team leaders in good shape and in form is always positive,” said General Manager Vassili Davidenko. “And all the guys did a very good job in Greece, but we’re up against a field stacked with WorldTour teams in Hungary and we know the level will be high. That’s why it’s important for us to carry the confidence and momentum we have built up into next week and keep banging on that door.”
“The Tour de Hongrie is a race we know well, and it always plays a significant role on our calendar. This year’s course is particularly difficult, and we need to start well to have a chance of achieving our goals. Andrea and David have a strong supporting cast around them, and teamwork will be important, it doesn’t hurt to have our Hungarian champion Peter Ksuztor in the mix. Let’s see if his local knowledge can bring us something extra!”
Back racing on home roads Kusztor brings bags of experience along with his climbing skills and the former national road champion joins current Finnish champion Joonas Henttala, Kiwi Hamish Beadle and Italian neo-pro Filippo Ridolfo in completing the line-up.
“I say it every year, but I love racing on my home roads in front of my family and friends,” said Kusztor. “This year won’t be any different and we’re very pleased to be once again back at the Tour de Hongrie. Our moral is very high after our performances in Greece and that was maybe the best we have raced as a team this season, so we come to Hungary with our tails up and our game face on.”
“Cycling in Hungary is more popular every year and with the Giro d’Italia starting the first three stages here last weekend the spotlight in the Tour de Hongrie is brighter than ever. That also means that the competition will be tougher, so we will need to be sharp from the first kilometer and race as a team to continue our good run of results.”
Following a slightly different route to last year’s race, the 2022 edition will cover 902km over five days of racing, starting in the noble castle of Csakvar outside of Budapest and then moving gradually northeast for a mountainous finale in Kekesteto.
Team Novo Nordisk at the Tour de Hongrie, 11th – 15th May:
Hamish Beadle (NZL, 24)
Joonas Henttala (FIN, 30)
Peter Kusztor (HUN, 37)
David Lozano (ESP, 33)
Andrea Peron (IT, 33)
Filippo Ridolfo (IT, 20)
Stages:
Wednesday 11th May, Stage1: Csakvar – Szekesfehervar, 195km
Thursday 12th May, Stage 2: Karcag – Hajduszoboszlo, 192km
Friday 13th May, Stage 3: Sarospatak – Nyiregyhaza, 154km
Saturday 14th May, Stage 4: Kazincbarcika – Kazincbarcika, 177km
Sunday 15th May, Stage 5: Miskolc – Gyongyos-Kekesteto, 184km