The Dutch Headwind Championships are the world’s hardest time trial where the stronger the wind blows, the better the race.
The Dutch celebrated their love of wind in a quintessential event on Sunday. Strong storm force winds with gust up to 110 kph didn’t stop racers in the Netherlands from participating in the fourth edition of the Dutch National Headwind Championships on Sunday.
The strong coastal storm wind was actually welcomed unlike over in Belgium where the fourth round of the UCI cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde was cancelled.
Het is echt echt écht heel zwaar dit jaar. pic.twitter.com/ko4GiCfDAU
— NK Tegenwindfietsen (@NKTegenwind) 20 noiembrie 2016
As could be seen from various video clips, riders had a very difficult time staying upright. The race took place at the Oosterschelde barrier in Zeeland in the South of the country where riders had to tackle gusts of up to 110 kilometres per hour.
The participants had to ride a distance of eight kilometres along the barrier, and road bikes weren’t allowed. The riders had to use ‘normal’ bikes without gears.
Teun Sweere took the men’s gold medal with an impressive time of 21’30” and Mathile Matthijse won the women’s title. Pro rider Johnny Hoogerland (Roompot-Oranje Peloton) was there yesterday, finishing in fifth place in 24″11.
