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Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and GP Lugano cancelled
Heavy snow and zero degree temperatures have combined to force the cancellation of both the Belgian semi classic Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Swiss GP Lugano.
The cancellation of this race was a logical and understandable decision. First of all it’s too dangerous on the roads and hills, it would be irresponsible to ride in this circumstances.
Infernal decision: #KBK cancelled. KBK chooses for safety #cycling
— KuurneBrusselKuurne (@KuurneBxlKuurne) February 24, 2013
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne has been cancelled because of bad weather on two occasions. In 2010 the race was run despite extreme weather caused by a Cyclone. It was shortened by 20km because of a fallen tree and only 26 of the 195 starters finished.
In addition to #trackworlds, we're meant to be racing #kbk and #GPlugano. Snow and freezing temps have threatened to cancel both races.
— ORICA-GreenEDGE (@Orica_GreenEDGE) February 24, 2013
— Matt Goss (@mattgoss1986) February 24, 2013
The cancellation of Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne means an expected showdown between defending champion Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-QuickStep) and Andre Greipel (Lotto-Belisol) will not eventuate. It would have been the first meeting of the two best sprinters in the world this year, on a course suited to the fast men.
“The cancellation of this race was a logical and understandable decision. First of all it’s too dangerous on the roads and hills, it would be irresponsible to ride in this circumstances," said Greipel. "Secondly it wouldn’t be good for our health, the risk to get ill is too big. Especially for the guys that already rode a tough Omloop Het Nieuwsblad yesterday. It is a correct decision that everyone should definitely support.”
(The finish line at the GP Lugano - Sirotti)
Australia’s Cadel Evans (BMC) and Stuart O’Grady (Orica-GreenEDGE) were both set to ride the UCI Europe Tour event in Lugano but similar conditions also forced its cancellation.
"From what I remember of this race, maybe five starts for four times getting very cold, and once good weather. It's unlucky for this race, again this year - the coldest day of the week falls on race day," Evans wrote on his website.
"I'm not involved in race organisation, but I'm guessing (like most things worth doing) there is a lot of time and resources put into organising the event, and the one thing out of everyone's control forces a cancellation. I say thank you to the volunteers who came out despite the unfriendly weather.
"From a rider's perspective, I was dressed and had my numbers pinned on almost ready to go. Nice race, a better course for me this year too, but also, with our whole season ahead of us - spending four or five hours soaking wet in 0-2 degrees is unlikely to benefit our preparation, but very likely to hinder it. Not to mention the risk of ice on the road and the mayhem that can cause.
"Now? I'm home, ready for some rollers in my dark cold garage thinking of Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico."
GP Lugano cancelled - snow everywhere! Sorry for the organisers, Velo Club Lugano, a lot of work for no race....Grotto Bundi? #polenta
— Cadel Evans (@CadelOfficial) February 24, 2013
And the race is officially cancelled... twitter.com/StueyOG/status…
— STUART O'GRADY (@StueyOG) February 24, 2013
