Wednesday 25 September 2019 10:43, UK
Heavy rain and flooding marred the third morning of the UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire as some riders suggested the men's U23 time trial should have been postponed due to "extreme" conditions.
Persistent rain around Harrogate led to torrents of water running down the roads and large pools of standing water which made riding conditions treacherous on a day which is due to see the women's elite time trial take place in the afternoon.
Johan Price-Pejtersen is the men's U23 European champion and began the morning's race as one of the favourites but he finished last after suffering a spectacular spill when came around a bend and rode directly into deep standing water which threw him from his bike.
"I think it was a bit extreme," the Dane said. "In my opinion I think they should have cancelled it for a bit, until at least the pools (of water) had gone and the rain had stopped being so extreme."
"Everywhere you tried to go there was, you know ... you had to take the pools of water into account, you weren't able ride the apex that you trained for, so yes, very extreme."
Hungarian rider Attila Valter also suffered a nasty crash on a short downhill section that left him careering down the road on his backside as though riding a water slide.
The 21-year-old did not stop to speak after finishing 28th, saying only that he wanted to go to hospital for a check-up.
Belgian rider Ilan Van Wilder told Het Laatse Nieuws: "It is super dangerous and I think it is irresponsible to let it go ahead.
"It was no longer raining, but really pouring. You take the longest route to avoid puddles, against all time trial principles."
