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ORISTANO, ITALY – DECEMBER 08: A rider practices on the race circuit hit by the storm, leading to the cancellation of the race on December 08, 2024 in Oristano, Italy. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images) Photo: Getty Images
The UCI has been forced to stop two high profile events in less than 24 hours, one due to weather conditions and the second due to a crash involving riders and spectators.
On Sunday the governing body announced that the third round of the UCI cyclocross world cup planned for the island of Sardinia in Italy had been called off due to treacherous weather conditions.
The race was due to make its debut on the world cup calendar this year, and teams incurred considerable expense to travel to the location.
“Due to the heavy wind storm passing over Cabras Is Arutas and the rest of Sardegna, the decision has been taken to cancel the 3rd round of the UCI cyclo-cross world cup,” the UCI said in a statement circulated on social media.
“The local organising committee, Flanders Classics, the municipality of Cabras, the UCI and the security services agreed on this decision as the safety of the riders, staff, volunteers and public could not be assured.
“Moreover, taking into account the weather forecast for the next hours and the sunset at 17h00, no postponement of the two planned races [women elite and men elite] is possible.”
Europe has been hit by stormy conditions in recent days, with Ireland and Britain hit on Friday and being left with widespread damage and ongoing power cuts. The adverse weather spread elsewhere through the continent, affecting the planned race location and forcing the cancellation of the event.
At least one cyclocross team had complained about the technical challenges of transporting equipment from last Sunday’s world cup in Dublin, Ireland, to Sardinia. That journey has been in vain and the expenses incurred will not result in any world cup points, but the UCI said there was little choice.
“Ensuring the safety of our athletes, fans, and all personnel remains our utmost priority as we make this necessary decision. We thank all stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.”
It is not clear if the race could be rescheduled until later in the season.
Meanwhile track racing competitors also saw disruption Saturday, although some racing did take place.
The UCI Track Champions League was abandoned prior to completion of all events when two riders collided during the keirin, then went over the barriers at the top of the track and into the crowd.
Olympic champion Katie Marchant (Great Britain) and Alessa-Catriona Propster (Germany) were the riders involved in what was a visually horrific crash.
Marchant suffered a fractured radius and ulna in her right forearm, along with two dislocated fingers. Propster and the spectators received medical attention on site but did not require hospital care.
“We can confirm that two riders and four spectators received medical treatment following an incident during tonight’s UCI Track Champions League event at Lee Valley VeloPark, in London,” the UCI stated on Saturday.
“The incident took place during the Women’s Keirin race. The event medics responded immediately, with one rider transferred to the hospital.
“WBD Sports, British Cycling, Lee Valley VeloPark, and the Union Cycliste Internationale unanimously decided to suspend all further racing for the evening and want to extend their best wishes for a speedy recovery to both riders and all affected spectators. We also wish to thank the medical staff for their prompt response and ongoing support.
“We are working closely with all parties to review the incident before taking appropriate action. No further comments will be made at this time.”
Olympic champion Katy Marchant was involved in a horrific crash which caused the Track Champions League Day 5 on Saturday to be cancelled. Marchant was taken to hospital after suffering a fractured forearm when she smashed off the track and into the crowd at London’s Lee Valley… pic.twitter.com/jaNiZLNh7y
— Phillip Martindale (@phillipm61) December 8, 2024
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