Sam Welsford takes victory in crash-affected sprint at Tour de Hongrie

In a bunch sprint finish to the opening stage of the 2024 Tour de Hongrie, Sam Welsford powered to the win in a crash marred finish, proving a point after his Giro d'Italia omission.

Four riders attacked early to form the first breakaway of the 2024 Tour de Hongrie. With two local riders and Martin Voltr of the Pierre Baguette Cycling team, the most notable name in the break was the experienced Mikel Bizkarra of Euskaltel - Euskadi.

With 38km to go, Voltr decided he'd be better off solo and attacked his breakaway companions to move clear at the front all on his own. So fierce was Voltr's acceleration that with 25km to go, he'd extended his lead to over two and a half minutes.

As the final lap of the finishing circuit began though, the Czech rider's advantage had been cut by the peloton to just 1:07. Heading into the final 10km though, it was all back together. Then, in the fight for the opening stage win, Sam Welsford took the win as a massive crash ended the hopes of many as Mark Cavendish faded in the finale.