Only the Dutch are crazy enough to purposely hold a time trial INTO gale force wind…

Racing in running shoes on identical single-speed city bikes, with no drafting allowed, 300 brave souls rolled down the start ramp directly into an 80kph headwind at the 8th Dutch National Headwind Cycling Championship on Sunday, with Jurjen Van Der Velde winning the coveted Kampioen Tegen de Wind title.

The 28 year-old completed the 8.5km time trial in 19:36, besting former pros Laurens ten Dam and Stephen Bolt (on a tandem) by six seconds. Nikola Blom finished in third place, another eight seconds later.

Ingrid van de Wijngaard, 34, won for the women in 23:11, followed by Joy Droogsma at 23:43 and Nelleke Balde in 24:11.

In the always spirited team time trial competition, where riders literally “push” each other, the crew from Why Tell Me Waai won in 20:49, powered by Sander van Noppen, Pepjin Quast, Casper Peeters and Tibor Rongen.

The 9th Dutch National Headwind Cycling Championship will take place in about a year. It will be announced HERE on short notice, when the conditions are miserable perfect.

Complete Dutch National Headwind Cycling Championship results HERE

Photo Credit: Instagram/nktegenwindfietsen

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