The Cape Town Cycle Tour Joint Operations Centre cancelled the 40th Cape Town Cycle Tour early Saturday morning local time after high winds, a large fire and threatened protest action near the route.
“This morning presented a number of challenges, not least of which were wind speeds considerably higher than predicted yesterday,” organisers said in a statement.
Videos from the route show cyclists blown from their bikes by strong gusts of winds and others struggling to hang on to their light-framed bikes as they were blown into the air.
The Cape Town cycle tour was cancelled this morning. 35,000 riders. Unheard of! The cause... Wind!#climatechange pic.twitter.com/E604NolJqZ — Johan (@Johan48610287) March 12, 2017
“Our priority first and foremost will always be the safety of all our participants and the risk of injury and potential fatality at the start, at the finish and on Chapman’s Peak warranted this extremely difficult decision,” the statement said.
Organisers have said food and drinks prepared ahead of the race would be donated to those affected by a major fire south of the city in Hout Bay.
Looks like the firefighters have their hands full with #KarbonkelBergFire #houtbay any update @vwsfires ? pic.twitter.com/jQLi5D5ysW — Mike G (@mjgcontrivances) March 12, 2017
