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Video: Watch riders battle 100kph headwind (without success)

Volta a La Marina race in Benidorm abandoned on safety grounds

It’s not just the UK that’s been buffeted by strong winds in recent days, with a video posted to YouTube showing how hurricane force winds in southern Spain caused a bike race in Benidorm to be abandoned.

The 153 rider had just set off on the neutralised start for the third round of the Volta a la Marina when they were “surprised by hurricane force gusts,” reported as reaching 100 kilometres an hour and blowing some riders over, according to organisers.

Not only was it impossible to pedal into the wind, but riders were also forced to unclip to stay safe as well as some having to fight to stop their bikes from being blown away.

Following discussions with the Guardia Civil the race jury took the decision to cancel the race, which forms part of a competition for regional clubs held on weekends from January to March.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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11 comments

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Grahamd | 6 years ago
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Shows the erm benefits of deep section aero rims...

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Bigtwin | 6 years ago
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Seems pretty obvious to me that the problem was actually caused by an over abundance of non-martching cycling apparel. 

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SapperCyclist | 8 years ago
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Well that blows....

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brodibike | 8 years ago
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They should use steel bikes, train on Audax rides, and eat pasties - they'd stand a chance then  1

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CXR94Di2 | 8 years ago
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The last time I was out in wind nearing being un- rideable, I had to use 22 ring(mtb) on the front just to keep moving forward. Never again will I ride in high winds. One moment I was nearly sucked under the wheels of a truck next blown off the road into a ditch.

Sensible decision to abandon

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Leviathan | 8 years ago
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At least it was sunny.

Rain, rain go away...

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captain_slog | 8 years ago
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Bit like this evening's commute, then. With sunshine.

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Angry Egg | 8 years ago
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#5 sorely lacking obviously!  3

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CXR94Di2 | 8 years ago
3 likes

Reverse route. , see who can hit 60mph on the flat  1 Bloody strong wind

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efail | 8 years ago
1 like

Softies. Normal weather when out for a spin in West Cumbria. 

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arnolds replied to efail | 8 years ago
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efail wrote:

Softies. Normal weather when out for a spin in West Cumbria. 

nonsens there is not a 24/7     10 beaufort in West Cumbria

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