Koksijde round of UCI cyclocross World Cup cancelled due to high winds

Organizers of Sunday’s round of the UCI cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium, cancelled the races because of extreme high winds. First the U23 and Junior races were scrapped, before the decision was made to scrub the whole event. It’s the first World Cup cancellation in 14-years.

ALL race categories are now cancelled in #TelenetUCICXWC Koksijde. The storm makes racing too dangerous. pic.twitter.com/MT7wZlIq8Y

— UCI Cyclocross (@UCI_CX) November 20, 2016

Storm Angus brought the chaos to the Dutch coast after lashing the south coast of the U.K. on Saturday. A tweet from Belgian rider Gianni Vermeersch illustrated the force of the storm.

Als je dit ziet is afgelasting de enige juiste keuze. Jammere zaak, maar veiligheid gaat voor! #TelenetUCICXWC #Koksijde pic.twitter.com/FEFOsVJIyr

— Gianni Vermeersch (@GVermeersch) November 20, 2016

Leader of the men’s side of the World Cup after winning the first two events in the U.S.A., Belgian Wout van Aert praised the organizers’ decision.

Dissapointed to not race today but I think the organisation has made a brave decision to cancel all races. Safety first!

— Wout van Aert (@WoutvanAert) November 20, 2016

His main rival, Dutchman Mathieu van der Poel, wasn’t so enthused about the move.

Still 4u30 till the race starts, decision was made way too fast in my opinion. They predict less wind this afternoon. #cxweahter

— Mathieu Van der Poel (@mathieuvdpoel) November 20, 2016

The irrepressible van der Poel biked the 200+-km home instead.

Koksijde World Cup cancellation didn't stop ex world champ Mathieu van der Poel riding today – 208km home! https://t.co/fpgcoC3NQF #cycling pic.twitter.com/AHDTIE3XDc

— road.cc (@roadcc) November 20, 2016

Riders must wait until next Saturday when round five in Zeven, Germany rolls. On Saturday Belgian Laurens Sweeck, second to van Aert in the points, took the Soudal Classics Hasselt, while compatriot Sanne Cant prevailed in the women’s race.