Nasty wind could hold danger in Cape Town Cycle Tour

Entrants have been warned of potential gale-force winds on Sunday, with riders expected to battle rough conditions at the annual Cape Town Cycle Tour road race.

“We have been advised that there is a high probability of severe winds on the Cape Peninsula within the next 24 hours,” organisers said in a statement on Saturday.

“We strongly urge Cape Town Cycle Tour participants who are either not comfortable or do not have experience riding in strong winds, to carefully consider their decision to participate.

“We believe wind conditions will not be as strong as in 2009, but they will nevertheless be severe.”

At the 2009 edition of the race, participants faced winds of up to 60km/h, which knocked riders off their bikes and forced organisers to extend the cut-off time at the finish.

According to the SA Weather Service, there was an 85% chance of rain on Sunday morning, and though it was expected to clear up later in the day, wind speeds could approach 50km/h in the afternoon.

Over 35 000 riders had entered the annual race, organisers confirmed, with mass participants and elite men tackling the traditional 109km distance, and elite women contesting a separate 76km race.

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