Giro d'Italia - UCI president: a Tour de France start in Hungary is conceivable

During his visit to Budapest three years ago, the head of the UCI said: the Hungarian strong cycling nation. Lappartient, who visited the Grand Start of the Giro d'Italia in Hungary, emphasized in an exclusive interview with MTI: nowadays it is even more so. As he said, the infrastructural developments - including new velodromes - and excellent results such as Kata Vas' Blanka's fourth place in the Olympic mountain bike or Valter Attila's three days in the pink jersey at last year's Giro show encouraging progress.

"Cycling is not only a sport, but also a way of life. Based on the signs, I am extremely optimistic about its future in Hungary," said the French sports leader.

He said: during the negotiations with the Hungarian Cycling Federation (MKSZ), among the long-term plans, there was talk of the possibility of organizing various international events, such as holding a World Cup or even a World Championship in Hungary, for example in BMX freestyle in three or four years. He also mentioned the velodrome planned for Debrecen, which, in his view, could affect cycling in the entire region.

Lappartient, who watched the first two stages of the Giro in Hungary, said: "we have finally reached this point, this was important for cycling, Hungary, Budapest and the Giro itself".

He gave an affirmative answer to the question of whether he considers it possible to bring the start of the Tour de France to Hungary.

"Just as the French tour starts from Copenhagen this year, there is also the possibility that it will be hosted by Hungary in the future. As far as I know, there are already applicants for the next foreign starts, but as the example of the Giro Grande Partenza shows, the Grand Départ can also take place here in 2026, 2030 or later," he said.

"It is a great pleasure that two years after the originally planned Giro d'Italia started in Hungary with an event with such an excellent atmosphere as the team presentation held on Wednesday in the pink-covered Hősök square. The competition gives a lot to the country, as it is a great way to popularize cycling " - added Enrico Della Casa, President of the European Union (UEC). He emphasized: it seems that the MKSZ is well organized and very active in a wide variety of disciplines, the results of the competitors are getting better every year, thus making the children interested in sports.

(Source: Source: sportrajongo.hu, mti/Photo: pixabay)