Every race at Sunday’s 2016 Koksijde World Cup has been cancelled due to high winds.
OFFICIAL: All races Worldcup Cyclocross Koksijde cancelled due to heavy wind. Everything is cancelled.
— Veloclub Koksijde (@kvckoksijde) November 20, 2016
Wind gusts over 50mph hit the sand dunes of Koksijde, disrupting the course and making for unsafe conditions for racers and fans.
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
Current weather in Koksijde:
Hundreds of racers, including 14 Americans, made the trip to contest World Cup points. However, after a meeting and press conference the UCI pulled the plug:
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
Racer Reactions to the Cancellation News:
Riders were naturally disappointed by the news, and most were supportive of the decision, although reactions varied:
Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel battle at almost everything including opinions on the cancellation:
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
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
Should've stayed in Spain ? https://t.co/bAyTqiYrnb
— Mathieu Van der Poel (@mathieuvdpoel) November 20, 2016
While Mathieu van der Poel’s brother seemed to agree:
Sad that one of my favourite races is cancelled due to the wind. Safety is the most important, but it's not 3pm yet..
— David Van der Poel (@Davidvanderpoel) November 20, 2016
The Americans mostly took it in stride, remembering Austin:
It happens, even in Europe, mother nature strikes again! https://t.co/nh4WPoDMex
— Jeremy Powers (@JeremyPowers) November 20, 2016
Remember Austin? Bigger plane ride https://t.co/T8WieXPy2k
— Stephen T. Hyde (@stephenthyde) November 20, 2016
Sad news, especially for those who traveled far for #koksijde today. For me, it's just 30 min from home… https://t.co/30SeXCOY0v
— Elle Anderson (@ellebellerina) November 20, 2016
Having some #CXnats Austin flashbacks this morning. ?
— Amanda Nauman (@_amanda_panda_) November 20, 2016
and Dutch racer Christine Majerus was supportive:
Thanks UCI for taking the right decision today to cancel the race! Way too much wind!
— Christine Majerus (@C_Majerus) November 20, 2016
Stay tuned as we bring you more of this developing story
