The Dutch Headwind Championships have been abandoned today because the gusts of Storm Ciara were too much for the riders and those working at the event.
The organisers went ahead and started the championships this morning but after 250 riders had completed the course the event was stopped.
There were still lots of teams due to start in that category of the championships.
However, as the gusts from Storm Ciara had whipped up, conditions were deemed unsafe for riders and staff working at the event and so the race was abandoned.
It was an unusual turn of events for a race that selects a course just days in advance in a bid to be sure of strong headwinds that the riders must face.
All riders must use upright single speed bikes and with this year's course some 8.5km, it was a tough challenge.
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The event is held along the coasts to maximise the chances of strong headwinds and today’s course was on the Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier.
However, while conditions were deemed safe enough to proceed at 10am when the first rider set off, the gusts worsened through the day and forced the organisers to stop what was the sixth edition of the race.
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