The city has had an eventful long weekend, from Thursday to Saturday the University Days of Pécs (PEN) took place, on Saturday the Pécs Cycling Day was held, where the city and university citizens cycled together, and there was an exhibition and a fair in the Botanical Garden of the University of Pécs, and on Sunday the participants of the Tour de Hongrie arrived from Siófok, who had to climb the Bárány út hill three times.
On Sunday morning, Széchenyi Square in Pécs was already full with the tents of sponsors and exhibitors, the University of Pécs supporters' tent was open from 11 am, but the first visitors arrived much earlier, the younger ones were attracted by the glitter tattoo, the older ones by the virtual bike race and the prize draw with UP souvenirs. In preparation for the good weather and the many cyclists, the staff of the University also offered refreshments and non-alcoholic Pécs Radler to the visitors.
As on Saturday, on Sunday the PTE Brass Band and the PTE Cheerleader team performed, photos with the university's mascot were taken on the square to the delight of the children, and fans could follow the competition on a giant projector.
The competitors could be cheered on at several locations in the city, including the UP Szigeti Road Cheering Zone, where prizes and outdoor games were offered. The atmosphere was definitely pleasant, with the Ökologik team bringing the younger ones a world of environmentally friendly and fun rolling games, Mecsek Bike demonstrating the correct adjustment of gears and brakes, changing brake pads and brake oil, and the tricks of the inner and outer tyres, while UP Faculty of Health Sciences students were present with sports and animation games, in keeping with the faculty's tradition.
The students and faculty of the university united in a huge PTE sign, waving cheer flags to welcome the competitors, and enterprising fans joined the flashmob formation. The institution itself is a keen cycling supporter, and its MoonBike challenge, which promotes healthy living and environmental awareness, has seen participants complete the Earth-Moon distance several times. In March, the UP Sports Office launched a "Cycle to Work" competition among its employees for the free use of 25 bicycles provided by the UP Sports Office, and a prize draw is currently running as part of the UP Green University Programme, which aims to encourage more people to cycle to work.
Thanks to the tailwind, the riders arrived in the city about 20 minutes before the scheduled time from Orfű via Magyarürögi road, from there they cycled along Sziget road towards the city centre, through Széchenyi square and up Bárány road, which is a challenge even for a person used to sports, not to mention a challenge on foot and jogging, let alone on a bike! And three times! The participants of the Tour de Hongrie cycled back to the Hermit meadow via Lapisi road, and from there they did the above-mentioned loop two more times, with the final destination at the Pécs Zoo. On the final 173-kilometre stage, the 117 cyclists conquered 3 categorised climbs and 2300 metres of ascent. The Siófok-Pécs stage was won by Dutchman Wout Poels, while Thibau Nys was the overall champion of the 45th Tour de Hongrie.
