2001

28th Tour de Hongrie

After a short break, Tour de Hongrie arrived to the 21st century with a memorable race.

Winner of the 28th Tour de Hongrie, Mikoš Rnjaković

The opening prologue in Veszprém was won by a Track World Championships medalist, Roland Garber. One day later, our winner from 1997, Zoltán Bebtó took the Yellow Jersey, who won the final stage in Budapest and the Points Classification as well.

Zoltán Bebtó wins in Budapest

The race was decided on the slopes of the Mátra Mountains. This was the first edition, when the race had a stage finish on the top of the Kékestető, the highest peak of Hungary. The last three kilometers of this mythical climb is all above 8%, which makes it a perfect place for decisive attacks. The first to arrive at the top was Yugoslav Mikoš Rnjaković, who also won the General Classification.

Holder of the Green Jersey, Zoltán Bebtó gives an interview

In the background, Vuelta Ltd. (Vuelta Sport Club at the time), led by two-time bronze medalist Károly Eisenkrammer, became the main organiser of the race, so the former professional cyclist was on the podium again.

The best Hungarian rider, Gergely Zsombok and the new main organiser, Károly Eisenkrammer on the podium

28th Tour de Hongrie (8-12 August 2001, 584.6 km)

Stage winners:
Prologue (Veszprém, 1,6 km): Roland Garber (Austrian, Pecunia)
Stage 1 (Veszprém - Zalakaros, 142 km): Zoltán Bebtó (Hungarian, Colombina-FTC-Eurent)
Stage 2 (Jászberény - Tiszaújváros, 145 km): Matej Marin (Slovenian, Perutnina Ptuj)
Stage 3 (Tiszaújváros - Kékestető, 174 km): Mikoš Rnjaković (Yugoslav, Spartak Subotica)
Stage 4 (Gyöngyös - Budapest, 122 km): Zoltán Bebtó (Hungarian, Colombina-FTC-Eurent)

General Classification:
1. Mikoš Rnjaković (Yugoslav, Spartak Subotica) 14:26:18
2. Róbert Nagy (Slovak, Cornix-Invest Pécs) 14:26:41 (+0:23)
3. Roman Bronis (Slovak, Podbrezová) 14:26:41 (+0:23)

Winner of the Teams Classification: Podbrezova (Slovak)

Winner of the Points Classification: Zoltán Bebtó (Hungarian, Colombina-FTC-Eurent)

Winner of the Mountains Classification: Róbert Nagy (Slovak, Cornix-Invest Pécs)