The 8th Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships were cancelled on Thursday due to…wind, too much wind. Storm Ciaran’s 200kph hurricane force winds blew away any prospect of holding the annual event as it lashed northern Europe, caused travel chaos and forced people to shelter at home.

The fabled end-of-season Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships afford cyclists the challenge and opportunity to race directly into an energy sapping 60kph headwind on the 8.5 Oosterscheldekering storm surge barrier in western Netherlands, with everyone riding common old-fashioned upright single-speed bikes to keep the competition fair.

“Unfortunately the wind has become so strong as the day has gone on that we cannot start. The safety of everyone is the main priority. Unpredictability is part of headwind racing. Now things have turned out differently to how we planned but we shouldn’t just sit around looking miserable,” organizer Robrecht Stoekenbroek said.

He plans to hold the race as soon as the storm passes, with winds still strong enough to challenge all 300 registered competitors.

The course record for the 8.5km race is 17:51, set in the first edition by 1996 Olympic gold medalist Bart Brentjens.

Photo Credit: Peter Dejong

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