Tour de Hongrie: Tim Merlier powers to third stage win on final day while Jakob Söderqvist overcomes late crash for GC title

Tim Merlier of Soudal-QuickStep dominated the final stage of the Tour de Hongrie, securing his third stage win of the week in a powerful sprint finish. Riding in the green points classification jersey, Merlier surged past his lead-out man Alberto Dainese in the closing metres to claim victory on the 147.1km route ending in Veszprém. Alexis Renard and Fernando Gaviria completed the podium, while Merlier praised his team’s collective effort throughout the race, highlighting the contributions of Junior Lecerf, who finished fourth overall. Jakob Söderqvist of Lidl-Trek overcame a dramatic late crash to clinch the overall general classification title, marking his first elite men’s GC victory. Despite losing control and falling with 20km remaining during a tense phase of echelons and crosswinds, Söderqvist’s resilience and his team’s support helped him maintain a slim lead over rivals Benoît Cosnefroy and Luke Plapp. The Swedish rider acknowledged the chaotic finish and credited his teammates for their crucial role in defending his yellow jersey under difficult conditions. The final stage featured a challenging course with multiple climbs and intermediate sprints, contested under variable weather including sporadic rain and strong winds. Early breakaway attempts were neutralised, but a seven-rider group formed and gained a significant advantage before being reeled in by the peloton. The mountainous terrain and crosswinds caused splits and tactical moves that shaped the race outcome, with key riders battling for both the mountains and points classifications until the closing kilometres. Söderqvist’s victory was hard-fought, with the final kilometres marked by aggressive attacks from his closest challengers and a hectic chase involving several teams. Despite the crash and the pressure from Luke Plapp’s late surge, the Lidl-Trek rider demonstrated composure and strength to hold onto the overall lead. The race concluded with Merlier’s sprinting prowess and Söderqvist’s tactical grit underscoring the competitive spirit and unpredictability of the Tour de Hongrie.