The Route
BUDAPEST > BALATON LAKE
» See the map in large size (PDF, 1,1 Mo)
| Date 2008, April |
Stage | Sart | Finish | KM Special Stage* |
KM Road Section* |
TOTAL* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 19 | Checks in Budapest | |||||
| Sunday 20 | 1 | Budapest | Baia Mare | 63 | 468 | 531 |
| Monday 21 | 2 | Baia Mare | Baia Mare | 152 | 140 | 292 |
| Tuesday 22 | 3 | Baia Mare | Debrecen | 152 | 285 | 437 |
| Wednesday 23 | 4 | Debrecen | Veszprem | 150 | 430 | 580 |
| Thursday 24 | 5 | Veszprem | Veszprem | 210 | 107 | 317 |
| Friday 25 | 6 | Veszprem | Veszprem | 210 | 107 | 317 |
| Saturday 26 | 7 | Veszprem | Balatonfüred | 155 | 42 | 197 |
| * Route may be subject to change | 1 092 | 1 579 | 2 671 | |||
HUNGARY
The term 'Central Europe' makes perfect sense in Hungary, which is at the heart of the continent, both geographically and historically. Its capital, Budapest, is equidistant from Moscow, London, Barcelona and Oslo. It is this position that made it one of the pioneering states in the transition brought about in the east at the turn of the 21st century, and which led it to join the European Union in 2004. This act of opening up to the outside translates the will of the Magyar people, for a long time forced to live in relative isolation due to a barely accessible language, to develop internationally.
The Hungarian territory, which covers around 100,000 km2, is, like its capital, cut in two by the Danube, which crosses it from north to south before continuing its path to Serbia, Romania and the Black Sea. The Central Europe rally will visit the east bank of the river, with the large expanses of the "Great Plain" as far as the frontier with Romania, and the "Transdanubia", with the vast Lake Balaton. The final finish will be decided here on its banks.
Hungary and sport
In terms of sport, Hungary is the birthplace of the Rubik's Cube, but above all that of footballer Ferenc Puskas, who led the fabled "Golden Team" in the 1950s and 60s. Apart from the Olympic title won at the Helsinki games, the highlight of the national team is the historic victory over the English at Wembley (3-6). The performance of the Galloping Major and his troop is still the stuff of conversations almost half a century later.
The Hungarians celebrate more regularly the success of their water polo team. With eight Olympic titles and twelve European titles, over the generations, Hungarian polo players have become an authority in the sport.
In motor sports, the Formula 1 Grand Prix near Budapest attracts a lot of attention. There is also the Hungarian Baja, created in 2004, which welcomed around 80 vehicles at its last edition. Drivers who have taken part in rally-raids outside their country's frontiers have also shown their worth. In automobile sports, Laslo Palik finished the Dakar 2005 in 18th position, the best result by a Hungarian, and in motorbike sports, the endurance champion Akos Varga entered the Top 30 in the same year.
In brief
Population : 9 981 334 hab.
Population: 9 981 334 inhabitants
Area: 93 030 km2
Capital: Budapest (1 750 000 inhabitants)
Currency: Forint
Official language: Hungarian (Magyar)
Principal towns: Debrecen (205 000 inhab.), Miskolc (178 000), Szeged (161 000), Pecs (157 000) and Gyor (129 000)
ROMANIA
A world apart, in a geographical situation profoundly influenced by the Slavic culture. Situated on the frontiers of the former Soviet empire, directly neighbouring Ukraine, Romania largely affirms its singularity by asserting its Latin heritage. The communist period, during which evolution of the country stopped outright, has given way, since the uprising against the totalitarian regime of Nicolae Ceausescu, to the expression of a union with western Europe. Attached to their membership of the organisation internationale de la Francophonie since 1993, Romanians joined the European Union on 1 January 2007.
The vast Romanian territory offers the visitor a rare variety of landscapes, from the coastline of the Black Sea to the Danube delta. In the heart of the country, the long mountain range of the Carpates and the rural character it has preserved give Romania its originality. Participants of the Central Europe Rally will stay in the regions of Maramures and Transylvania, giving them a view of the country's natural wealth.
Romania and sport
Most articles in the country's sports newspapers are given over to football. Romanians were particularly fond of their national team in the 1990, the period when Gheorghe Hagi, the "Maradona of the Carpates" led the team. In less festive periods, supporters get excited about matches of the capital's two big clubs, Steaua Bucarest, winner of the European Championship Cup in 1986, and Dinamo.
But the great moment in Romania's sporting history was the magical revelation of the gymnast Nadia Comaneci at the Montreal Olympic Games in 1976. Just 14 years old, the graceful young lady was awarded the first 10/10 in history and won three Olympic medals. Later, she emigrated to the United States.
In the world of tennis, Ilie Nastase has stayed in people's minds for his inexhaustible resources in terms of causing trouble. He did, however, win two Grand Slam titles (Roland-Garros and the US Open) and was number one worldwide when the ATP ranking was created.
In terms of rally-raids, the Romanian mountains offer an ideal terrain for a spectacular motorbike trial that has taken place regularly since 2004: RedBull Romaniacs. For its fourth edition there were 135 riders during the four days of the race in the Carpates.
In brief
Population: 22 272 000 inhabitants
Area: 238 391 km2
Capital: Bucharest (2 082 000 inhabitants)
Currency: Leu
Official language: Romanian
Principal towns: Iasi (321 580 inhab.), Constanta (310 526), Timisoara (317 651), Galati (298 584), Craiova (302 622), Brasov (283 901)
BUDAPEST
Pest-Buda was the first name used in the 19th century for the now Hungarian capital, after the union of the towns of Buda and Obuda, on the river's west bank, with Pest, on the East bank. Its somewhat reverential nickname is Queen of the Danube. In geographical terms, the Buda relief, which provides stunning views from the hills or from the castle district, contrasts with the vast plain of Pest. The town's residential quarters and business and commercial centres have developed in its long avenues, along with today's political and administrative centres.
Figures
- 1,75 million inhabitants
- 525 km2
- 23 districts
- 9 bridges crossing the Danube
- 123 thermal springs
LAC BALATON
While the turbulent history of the regions' populations deprived the country access to the sea (before 1920, the Hungarian territory also included what is today Croatia), the evolution of tectonics resulted in a slight trench at the foot of the ridge of Transdanubia. As a result, Hungary has a network of a number of lakes, including the Balaton, which is the largest expanse of fresh water in Europe.
78 km long and around 15 km wide, Lake Balaton has all the advantages of an enclosed sea. Nature has got it right here, and the first banks of the lake are around one hundred kilometres from Budapest. City-dwellers seeking to get away can thus enjoy a perfect holiday, with yachting, fishing and cycling on the agenda. The numerous seaside resorts that have built up on the Lake's banks also attract tourists from neighbouring countries in summer.
Figures
- 78 km long
- 15 km wide (1.5 km at the Tihany peninsular)
- 3,9 m deep on average (12 m at its deepest)
- 600 km2
- 30 sources and rivers feed the lake