The UCI's new Extreme Weather Protocol got its first test in Sunday's Clasica de Almeria in Spain, when high winds forced the shortening of the 31st edition of the race.
Originally intended to run 184km along the coast from Almeria, west to Adra, and then back to Roquetas de Mar with two inland loops, the race passed through sections along the coast where winds were howling up to 80kph.
Movistar directeur sportif José Luis Arrieta described the conditions: "The crosswinds were so strong that you could make your bike become a sail and be thrown into the ditch if you didn't ride strong or remained still. I even had to save some riders from the wind with the team car to avoid them crashing."
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Similar conditions affected last year's Gent-Wevelgem: Gert Steegmans was blown off the road into a canal, and Geraint Thomas was thrown into the verge by a gust of wind. The riders in Clasica de Almeria did not want to face similar risks of injury.
The peloton agreed to start neutralised on the original route, but only got as far as La Mojonera, some 40km down the road, where race organiser José Manuel Muñoz said it became impossible to continue.
"Usually this time of year in Almeria is extraordinary, we had a very good winter, but even before yesterday was very bad and now it has been impossible, riders were having to put their feet down (to keep from crashing)," he said to Marca.
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