Global InformationDutch Headwind Cycling Championships information
 | |
| Race details | |
|---|---|
| Date | Fall or Winter; organized ad hoc when a storm is announced |
| Region | Oosterscheldekering, Netherlands |
| Local name(s) | NK Tegenwindfietsen (in Dutch) |
| Discipline | Road cycling |
| Type | time trial |
| History | |
| First edition | 2013 |
| Editions | 7 |
| First winner | Men's: Bart Brentjens Women's: Irene Tesink |
| Most recent | Men's: Jurjun van der Velde Women's: Lisa Scheenaard |
The Dutch Headwind Cycling Championships (in Dutch: NK Tegenwindfietsen, pronounced [ˈteːxə(ɱ)ʋɪntˌfitsə(n)]) are an annual Dutch cycling time trial championships that takes place during storms of wind force 7 (50 km/h) or higher. They are not regulated by the Royal Dutch Cycling Union.[1][2]
The Championships take place on the Oosterscheldekering storm barrier, which faces the North Sea, and have been held in fall or winter since 2013. Competitors must ride the 8.5 km course against the wind on upright single-speed bicycles, which are provided by the organization. The championships are announced three days before a storm is expected. Since 2014 there is also a team time trial. A total of 200 individual cyclists (300 cyclists in 2020) can participate, plus 25 teams of four cyclists. Participants start 30 seconds apart from each other and the one with the fastest time wins.[3]
In 2020 both the male and female reigning champions (from 2018) successfully defended their titles. In 2023 the event was cancelled because of heavy storm.
- ^ "The hardest time trial in the world? Riders suffer at Dutch Headwind Championships (video)". cyclingweekly.co.uk. 15 December 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
- ^ "Geen sterveling kan record NK Tegenwindfietsen breken" (in Dutch). Algemeen Dagblad. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
- ^ "NK-Tegenwindfietsen zoekt deelnemers" (in Dutch). Metro. 9 December 2014. Archived from the original on 11 December 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2014.