Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships cancelled... because it's too windy

Winning this week's award for the most ironic news from the world of cycling is the Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships being cancelled... because of strong winds.

There is of course safety for the organisation to consider, Dutch news outlet Omroep Zeeland breaking the news this lunchtime, that the iconic, brutal and hilarious niche cycling event has been called off amid orange weather warnings for wind, with gusts of more than 40mph (64km/h) expected in Breezand, a village at one end of the Oosterscheldekering storm barrier where the event takes place.

Het was een van de zwaarste edities tot nu toe. Wind, regen, zand, alles werd tegen de deelnemers aangegooid met snelheden tot 90 km/u. Fietspetje af voor iedereen die de Kering heeft getrotseerd op een fiets zonder versnelling maar met hoog stuur 🙌💪⚡️🌨💨🚴🏼 #nktegenwindfietsen pic.twitter.com/corir7Zy9d

— NK Tegenwindfietsen (@NKTegenwind) February 6, 2022

It is not the first time the event, in its eighth year, has been cancelled due to too much wind, the day falling to a similar fate back in 2020 when Storm Ciara saw it abandoned due to dangerous conditions.

Somewhat unfortunately, the event's organiser Robrecht Stoekenbroek this morning boldly stated "it's not called the National Headwind Cycling Championships for nothing", only to see it cancelled four hours later.

"We have prepared everything, everything is ready. The weather is crazy, but too intense. The peak speeds are too intense," the organisation told Omroep Zeeland, explaining it is the gusts that are too dangerous and that the constant wind is okay.

"Safety comes first," they said, confirming the event would now look to be scheduled when the next storm arrives (as long as it's not too stormy). "When that moment comes, we will be there again," they said.

Retired professional rider Thomas Dekker and former pro cyclist-turned gravel racer Laurens ten Dam were among the riders due to take part in the event, which sees brave headwind-battlers take on the 8.5km course across a stretch of the North Sea. As per the rules, it can only be held during storms of force seven or higher (32mph), although today's gusts of 43mph were ultimately too severe.

De ploegen fietsen nu ook. Dit is geen slow motion beeld. 💪#nktegenwindfietsen pic.twitter.com/uv1LrKr6JX

— NK Tegenwindfietsen (@NKTegenwind) February 9, 2020

"It's borderline crazy. It's part of it that when everyone goes in, we go out," Stoekenbroek said this morning before the premature end to the proceedings. "So far it has been dream conditions. We will start at 12 noon and then just keep an eye on it." 

Alas, no headwind fighting was had. One participant told the local press he understood the decision, but "still, it seems like a bad joke... the National Headwind Cycling Championships has been cancelled due to the strong wind".

"It's a shame, because I was confident that I would make it," he said. Other participants were seen taking to the route by foot, running the course instead.

Stoekenbroek confirmed all participants will be refunded and given priority entry for the new date.

"Whether that's in two weeks or two months... as far as I'm concerned, we'll be looking out for wind again from tomorrow," he said. "We have built everything up, people have made an effort to take time off... to then say, 'We're going through a storm, but it won't happen after all', that's difficult.