Tiszaujvaros is legendary in the triathlon world for its raucous atmosphere, suffocating heat, and relentless racing. But this weekend, the script followed a distinctly local theme. In front of a passionate home crowd, Hungary’s brightest stars put on an absolute masterclass, proving that if you want to win in “Tiszy,” you have to conquer the locals.
The Return of the Swim-Bike Breakaway
The women’s race was effectively decided in the opening ten minutes, courtesy of a high-stakes breakaway that left the rest of the field chasing ghosts. Taylor Knibb (USA) led the 750m swim in 9:07, sparking an elite three-rider escape alongside Australia’s Tara Sosinski and Hungary’s teenage prodigy, Fanni Szalai.
While the chase pack bogged down in tactical hesitation, the leading trio put their heads down and motored clear. By the end of the 20km bike leg, their advantage had ballooned to a staggering 2:16.
From there, it became the Fanni Szalai coronation. The young Hungarian, who only made her World Cup debut three months ago, flew out of T2 to unleash a blistering 16:33 five-kilometer run split – the fastest of the day – to capture a maiden World Cup title.
Lehmann Defends His Kingdom
In the men’s field, the challenge wasn’t just about surviving the grueling conditions; it was about trying to dethrone the undisputed “King of Tiszy,” Csongor Lehmann (HUN).
A breakaway of five athletes – spearheaded by last year’s bronze medalist Mark Dévay (HUN) – attempted an early coup, exiting the water with a 13-second advantage over the favorite. Sensing the danger, Lehmann executed a flawless transition and joined forces with Spain’s Pelayo Gonzalez Turrez to bridge the gap on the very first bike lap.
Once Lehmann was safely in the seven-man lead group, the window of opportunity slammed shut for the chasers. Despite oppressive heat and heavy legs from Saturday’s semi-finals, Lehmann looked utterly untouchable on the pavement. He glided away on the run, holding up six fingers as he crossed the line to claim an incredible sixth consecutive home victory.
France’s Tom Lerno hung on like a limpet to secure a well-earned maiden World Cup silver, while Gonzalez out-dueled Dévay on the third lap to grab the bronze.
