A technical finale at the Adriatic coast sees Zétény Szijártó and Márkó Tóth secure top five finishes as the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina concludes.
The final stage of the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina on April 19, 2026, took the peloton from Ljubuški to Neum over 119 km of undulating terrain. Under bright sunshine, the race averaged 46 km/h as teams fought for the final classifications. The technical finish featured sharp 180 degree turns and a high speed descent into the coastal finish line. Director Sportif Dejan Percic noted that while the stage results were strong, the primary goal was the general classification: “I am sad because somehow this ending never quite works out.” Alin Toader (Romania) took the stage victory, while Zétény Szijártó and Márkó Tóth crossed the line in fifth and sixth, eventually moving up to fourth and fifth after a relegation.
Zétény’s view on the fast finish
I felt good both yesterday and today; on the first day a little was missing in a key moment, on my part that’s where things went away.
Today I tried to get into viable breakaways, I managed to break away twice: first there were three of us, then four of us were in front, but the field caught both attempts. On the climb a small group went away, including Erik and Máté, we caught them in the last kilometers. There I went forward as much as I could; I tried to take advantage of the fact that today I could go a bit for myself. The end happened very quickly. I was getting further and further ahead; I didn’t know exactly how much was left, but I felt the finish was close, and I could come in in a good place. Finally I crossed the finish line as fifth, which meant a fourth place, since the Italian rider was relegated.
I’m happy that my form is good, and today turned out relatively well. Usually I don’t participate in this part of the sprint, as I usually take on the lead-out. I feel useful in this, and it’s a good feeling if I can add to the team’s success: this year for example with Niki. I don’t know the continuation of my season exactly yet, hopefully it will be revealed soon, and then I can prepare further accordingly.
Márkó’s reflections on the missed GC
The general classification went away yesterday: it was a big mistake that Erik and I were not there in that ominous eight-man getaway. Afterwards, even though six of us were rotating in front, we didn’t catch them. I suspect that the motorcycles driving in front also had a big role in this, because they went very close to the field during the whole race.
Today I didn’t have a very good day, the climb didn’t go as I wanted. Erik was in front in a small group, but at the end we caught them, and afterwards I tried to bring out the best from the “sprint”: which was actually more of a descent. I didn’t really like this finish. Originally we arrived in fifth and sixth place with Zéti, but since someone was disqualified in front of us, we moved one place forward.
Overall we are a bit disappointed, because there was more in this race, but we learn from the mistakes, and next time we will be even better. After the stage win I feel more confident anyway; it’s good to know that I am capable of it. I don’t know anything specific about my next races yet, but it is my huge desire to start at the Tour de Hongrie. I hope I can be there this year, we’ll see if it comes together!
Photo: Márton Sitku / https://www.instagram.com/marchives.raw/
