PostNord Danmark Rundt Stage 2 Cancelled Due to Weather

Race: Tour of Denmark, PostNord Danmark Rundt, Stage 2

Start/Finish: Svendborg/Odense, Denmark

Distance: 183.8 kilometers

Odense, Denmark — Partway through the second stage of the PostNord Danmark Rundt, race organizers enacted the UCI’s Extreme Weather Protocol and canceled the stage to ensure riders’ safety.

The 183.8-kilometer stage began with powerful winds and heavy rains in Svendborg. A four-man break escaped and earned a maximum gap of 5:30 while the rest of the race experienced innumerable flats and multiple crashes. As the peloton reached the coast, the winds picked up and it was too dangerous to continue. Initially, organizers neutralized the race until the feed zone, but when it became clear that conditions were only deteriorating, they canceled the remainder of the stage.

Fabio Calabria

“The weather was really crazy with wild winds and heavy rains. From the start, this played havoc on the race. The rain was on and off and definitely heavy, and we also had to deal with lots of standing water. At times, it was so windy that it was difficult to keep the bikes going in the right direction and staying on the road.

About an hour into the stage, we reached an exceptionally windy part of the course. First, we rode neutral to see if the conditions would change but when it was evident they were only getting worse, they canceled.

Enforcing the Extreme Weather Protocol was a good thing today and showed organizers were looking out for the health and safety of the riders. I’m really grateful they made that call, and I’m thankful for the decision.

Team Novo Nordisk, the world’s first all-diabetes pro cycling team, is currently competing in two races: the Tour of China and the PostNord Danmark Rundt. Thursday’s Stage 3 of the Tour of China is a 197-km race from Xiyang to Yunzhuhu while Stage 3 of the PostNord Danmark Rundt is 183.6-km run from Otterup to Vejle.

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(Photos: ©René Vigneron)