The 2026 edition of the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina kicked off with a blistering 139 km stage from Sarajevo to Mostar. Despite a cool and rainy start, the peloton maintained an incredibly high pace, averaging 51 km/h. As the race approached Mostar, the clouds cleared for a sunny spring finish. Director Sportif Dejan Percic noted that the plan was to jump on every move: “The agreement was to support whoever felt better at the end, and today Márkó was in better shape than Erik.” After a tactical battle through the final city laps, Márkó Tóth (Team United Shipping) powered to victory in a reduced bunch sprint, beating Sander Inion (Madar Pro Cycling Team) to the line. Márkó with his win leads the GC, the points and the youth classification. Barnabás Vas (TUS) leads the Mountains Classification.
Márkó’s golden moment
I knew I had this in me! From my experience I can be quite fast-footed on a stage like this. Against the real sprinters I probably would have had less of a chance, but because of the high pace the favorites already dropped off on the first hills. I was feeling sick during the Croatian race, but by now I’ve managed to rest up, and it didn’t set me back too much. The training sessions also went well, so I was finally able to race confidently. On the aforementioned climb the field split into smaller groups, then we came together about 30-40 km before the end.
About thirty of us remained for the finish; during the laps we were just positioning, then Máté and Barni attacked as well. A few hundred meters before the finish there was a roundabout, which I came out of in third place, and I launched the sprint from there. Then it worked out! It was a perfect day: every jersey is with us, and TUS raced like a real team again. Luck was also on our side, nothing hindered us today.
Máté’s engine room report
I’m very well, I’ve trained a lot at home in the past month, and I feel my form is very good. The atmosphere is also excellent, everyone is happy for Márkó, he really deserved it. Everyone in the team played a big part in this victory.
Today I had to be in the breakaway – like everyone else – to go for the mountain jersey. This finally succeeded for Barni, we are happy with that too. My other task was to try a late attack in the final small laps if the field stopped. This finally came together: I was able to break away very well, and I went a full lap alone. After they caught me, I joined the TUS train, where we went all-out with Barni for Erik and the others. We worked a lot during the day, especially in the last 40 km, so I am very satisfied with the team’s and my own performance.
Even after a month without racing the riding went well, I got into it immediately, even though there was we went a very fast average speed at 51. The field wasn’t explicitly nervous, but you had to pay attention constantly and be on the lookout. The plan for tomorrow is clear I think: keep all the jerseys, and look after our little Márkó.
Photo: Márton Sitku / https://www.instagram.com/marchives.raw