The Doha heat is taking its toll on athletes at the world championships

Close calls with race vehicles also raise concerns over rider safety during the UCI road world championships

Philippe Tremblay October 15, 2016

Cycling is a physically exerting sport, there is no question about that. As temperatures in Canada continue to fall as winter approaches, the story in Doha, Qatar over the course of the 2016 UCI road world champions has been very different. Despite the date of the event being moved back to avoid the worst of the heat, temperatures have been soaring. The temperature for Saturday’s women’s elite road race didn’t reach the heights of events earlier in the championships which were greatly affected by the soaring temperatures. To prepare for his world time trial winning effort, Germany’s Tony Martin told reporters that he trained in his bathroom in Germany with a space heater on.

The heat however, has caused great discomfort and even a health hazard for riders. The most troubling image of all to come out of Qatar so far has been of 17-year-old Norwegian Iver Knotten who was racing in the junior men’s road race on Oct. 14. The heat appears to have been responsible for the great distress the young rider was in with still 50 km to race.

Fuertes imágenes las registradas hoy durante la prueba en línea Junior masculina #UCIDoha2016 pic.twitter.com/mdScuaFPBQ

— Zona Cycling (@zonacycling) October 14, 2016

Knotten has not been alone in suffering from the heat with many riders being vocally critical of the UCI.

So @UCI_cycling this is how you want to promote a beautiful sport as cycling to the World ? Shame on you. #UCIDoha2016 pic.twitter.com/bPKVCzQdor

— cyclingnieuws (@cyclingnieuws1) October 14, 2016

New record #filthy #hot #grim pic.twitter.com/2vIy54tfky

— Luke Rowe (@LukeRowe1990) October 14, 2016

Looks like she had a heat stroke. Hope she’s doing fine #heat #UCIDoha2016 pic.twitter.com/9Mqegxx2KY

— CyclingHub (@CyclingHubTV) October 9, 2016

https://twitter.com/ProCyclingStats/status/785194622603653120

British Cycling used ice vests to keep riders cool at the beginning of the women’s road race. Temperatures for the final event of the championships, the men’s road race on Sunday are forecast to reach a high of 36 C. The men’s peloton however rides for 120 km in the exposed desert where staying hydrated will be extremely difficult, especially if the wind picks up, echelons form and racing is aggressive.

It's 37°C ☀️ at #UCIDoha2016…

❄️ Ice vests were used ahead of the start of the women's race to keep riders as cool as possible. pic.twitter.com/QtD2PKkGLO

— British Cycling (@BritishCycling) October 15, 2016

Heat has not been the only concern raised throught the championships. Rider safety on course has also been a concern with some close calls with race vehicles. Germany’s Marco Mathis came close to colliding with a race ambulance—and perhaps had some help with air resistance—went on to win the men’s under-23 championship individual time trial.

This Slovakian rider attempting to navigate the caravan had a few close calls before being brought to a stop bumping into the rear end of a slowing team car.

And with the very real dangers of race motorcycles to the safety of riders being brought to light by some tragic accidents in 2016, it is always concerning to see riders and motos come this close.

https://twitter.com/CyclingHubTV/status/785831538977943552