Of course, a competition of this calibre is a great advantage for Hungarian cycling, as the youngsters have already proven in recent years that they are in competition with the world’s best.
At the first World Cup in Hungary in 2020, Bence Mészáros won the distinctive jersey for the best Hungarian cyclist, while a year later Zétény Szijártó took over the baton from him, only to be followed by Márk Takács-Valent in 2022. Of this year’s squad, the pair of Bálint Feldhoffer and Balázs Pollner, who have been racing for EOLO-Kometa’s junior team, are perhaps the most notable, but Tamás Hancz, who is also a junior rider for BORA-Hansgrohe feeder squad, could also be capable of causing a surprise.
Preliminary entry list for the Hungarians are Bálint Feldhoffer, Balázs Pollner, Márkó Tóth, Tamás Hancz, András Pakot and Szabolcs Csáki.
The rise of Norwegian cycling is unquestionable, so it is perhaps not surprising that they are coming with a roster of some strength.
Their number one man is Felix Orn-Kristoff, who a few days ago won bronze at the World Championships in Glasgow, and is the younger brother of Alexander Kristoff, who has eighty-eight victories in his professional career. Mikal Uglehus also put in a good performance at the World Championships, which is no coincidence as he won the Norwegian Junior Championship this year.
Preliminary entry list for the Norwegians are Felix Orn-Kristoff, Halvor Utengen Sandstad, Vetle Gilje Lygra, Mikal Uglehus, Christopher Bruun and Jonas Vaagenes.
Romanian cycling is also on a developing trajectory, with their junior riders doing very well this year, and as for the past, it is very well to remember that Mihnea-Alexandru Harasim finished the 2022 World Cup in Hungary in second place overall, with an excellent performance.
Among the 2023 squad, Catalin-Luca Campean, also known from the Lotus Team, and national champion Andrei Carbunarea, who is also competing at club level in Spain, are notable names.
Preliminary entry list for the Romanians are Catalin-Luca Campean, Andrei Carbunarea, Alexandru Nastase, Tudor-Cristian-Andrei Neagu and Edmond Novák.
