Tactical Warfare, a Daring Breakaway, and a Podium in Tatabánya

36th Turul Cup – Tatabánya

On a crisp autumn day, our squad took on the historic 36th edition of the Turul Cup in Tatabánya. We fielded six riders in the men's race: Bende, Áron, and Petya in Elite 1, alongside Ákos, Ati, and Tamás in Elite 2. The race blueprint was unequivocal—unite as a cohesive unit and sacrifice individual chances to propel Bende toward the highest possible overall finish. Meanwhile, Katalin Mezei flew the flag in the women's category.

textbook Teamwork from the Whistle to the Final Kick

The team executed the playbook with ruthless discipline:

  • Controlling the Front: Staking out prime real estate at the staging grid, Petya hit the front the instant the whistle blew, leading the bunch through the technical opening turns and ensuring our climbers entered the first ascent in optimal position. The ferocious pace quelled early breakaway attempts; whenever counter-moves sparked, our riders quickly clamped down or bridged across.
  • The Selection on Climb Three: Tamás and Áron put in massive shifts driving the bunch through the third climb, where the blistering rhythm finally split the field. Bende and Áron held firm in the front echelon, while the rest of our riders were caught on the wrong side of the gap. The chasing grupetto dug deep, eventually closing the split—a reprieve that allowed our riders to catch their breath before regaining command of the sharp end.
  • A High-Speed Descent and Attack: Coming down the final descent, Áron unleashed his local course knowledge, drilling a wicked descent that stretched the field. Capitalizing on the momentum, Bende launched a counter-attack alongside a rival, snapping the elastic. Working together smoothly, the duo built a solid gap arriving at the base of the final climb to the Turul monument. Even though the charging peloton swallowed them with just 500 meters remaining, Bende dug deep to salvage a gritty finish.

Our Results:

  • Katalin Mezei: 2nd in Category 🥈
  • Bendegúz Pusztai: 7th Overall | 6th in Elite 1
  • Tamás Nagy: 22nd Overall (+40s) | 4th in Elite 2
  • Ákos Skuba: 8th in Elite 2
  • Áron Homor: 19th in Elite 1
  • Attila Oros: 17th in Elite 2
  • Petya: 31st in Elite 1

Summary

A masterclass in selfless team racing from the boys. Controlling the tempo, neutralizing attacks, sacrificing personal ambition, and launching an aggressive late break proved just how far this squad has come. Paired with another podium finish from Katalin and Bende's hard-fought Top 10 overall, we cap off a demanding day of racing with our heads held high. Outstanding ride, team!