The 3rd Tour of Szeklerland (UCI 2.2) started on Friday (7th of August) with its queen stage, a 192 km long hilly run, with four categorised climbs in the most beautiful regions of Szeklerland. 127 riders took the start from Csíkszereda in pouring rain and cold temperatures.
Right after the start the peloton split apart and a 9-man group formed, including the Hungarian champion István Cziráki (Betonexpressz 2000 –Limonta), former Tour de France competitor, Aurelian Passeron (Tusnad Cycling Team), Luka Rakusa (Motomat Delo Revije), Tomas Okrouhlicky and Ondrej Zelinka (both AC Sparta Praha), and Ukranian Vitalij Popkov (ISD-Donyeck).
The peloton never reached the front group again, whom shared the worked until the 30 k to go banner, where Popkov attacked his compatriots. As the Ukranian powered to the stage win, the cheasers of 8 was divided in 2 groups on the day's last climb, 16 k from the finish.
At the end Popkov won the stage with 1 minute margin ahead of the others, Cziráki took second, and Rakusa arrived in third place.
| 1 | Vitalij Popkov (Ukr) ISD Sports Donyeck |
| 2 | Cziráki István (Hun) Betonexpressz 2000-Limonta |
| 3 | Luka Rakusa (Slo) Motomat Delo Revije |
| 1 | Vitalij Popkov (Ukr) ISD Sports Donyeck |
| 2 | Luka Rakusa (Slo) Motomat Delo Revije |
| 3 | Cziráki István (Hun) Betonexpressz 2000-Limonta |
-
Cycling transfers – All the latest news and announcements for the 2026 season
The ultimate guide to the pro cycling transfer window, tracking every move across the men's and women's WorldTours -
Six moments that defined the 2025 Vuelta a España
The turning points of a brutally difficult race and the 'saddest Vuelta in history' -
'It’s a pity that such a moment of eternity was taken from us' – Jonas Vingegaard settles for improvised Vuelta a España podium celebrations
'The participants must be protected' - Visma team manager Richard Plugge appeals for rider safety -
'Next time it will only get worse' – Riders ask for solutions after Vuelta a España ends with protests and yet another stage cancellation
Michal Kwiatkowski vocal in criticism of handling of final stage in Madrid
