Jamie Meehan has looked lively in the stage races he has done so far this year and now goes to Hungary with a real chance (Photo: CAMEMB’R)
Jamie Meehan (Cofidis) has looked lively in stage race action during his time as a stagiaire last year, and to date in his neo pro season. And now the 22-year-old Irishman goes into Tour de Hongrie with a real chance.
The five-stage race gets underway tomorrow, Wednesday, and having been won by Irishman Eddie Dunbar four years ago, the 2026 edition could become a launch pad for Meehan.
He took 3rd on a stage on debut for Cofidis last August at Tour de l'Ain (2.1), followed by 10th on a climbing stage at AlUla Tour (2.Pro) in January, while finishing 17th overall at Tour de la Provence (2.1) in February.
The Donegal man told stickybottle earlier in the season that some of the smaller stage races may be where he can take results for himself this season. And this week looks perfect from that perspective.
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When Dunbar won the race in 2022 the general classification battle came down to the sole climbing stage, on the final day of action. And this year the penultimate stage looks set to bring about the GC shake-up.
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While there is 'only' just over 2,000m of climbing, all of the elevation gain comes of the finish circuit, including a 2km climbing averaging 10 per cent, to Pécs.
It will be completed four times, with the finish on the climb, after 188km. And that terrain - those repeated climbing efforts in quick succession - can really suit Meehan if he is in form.
The final stage of the race next Sunday - 147km to Veszprém - features almost 2,000m of elevation gain, though spread through the stage over more modest climbs, none of which look hard enough to bring about big splits.
Though the race is not stacked with the biggest names in the sport, there are still plenty of riders who have ridden very well this season set to line out.
Junior Lecerf (Soudal Quick-Step) took 10th overall at the recent Tour de Romandie (2.UWT) and should put up a strong challenge. The Jayco AlUla line-up also looks impressive, with strength in depth in the shape of Luke Plapp, Paul Double and Finlay Pickering.
Benoît Cosnefroy lines out for UAE Team Emirates-XRG while last year's Giro Next Gen winner Jakob Omrzel, 6th on GC in Romandie last year, takes to the start line for Bahrain-Victorious.
The race will be a challenge, especially as Meehan is in his first full season as a pro rider, but it looks like a good chance for him.
