Watch: Riders battle 100kph winds in Dutch Headwind Championships

Tough winter training for a few of the pros who took part

Riders battle huge gusts at Dutch Headwind Championships

(Image credit: You Tube/dePZC)

If you thought you had to battle some nasty conditions on the roads this weekend, spare a thought for competitors in the Dutch Headwind Championships, who had to contend with winds of 100kph.

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Now in its fourth year, the Headwind Championships pits riders against a 8.5km course along the Oosterscheldekering storm barrier that provides absolutely no respite from the gale-force winds striking the coast from the North Sea.

>>> Watch: Riders blown over by strong winds, race abandoned

All riders given sit-up-and-beg city bikes to ensure an even playing field, with organisers planning the event at short notice to make sure that it coincides with a nice big storm to give the worst conditions possible.

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The 2016 men's title went to Teun Sweere with a time of 22:30 (that's a 22 kmh/14 mph average speed) who defeated a strong 183 rider field that included a number of pros including Johnny Hoogerland and a number of his Roompot-Oranje Peloton teammates. The women's title was taken by Mathile Matthijse.

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Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.