"Every rider has invested about 1,000 to 1,500 euros to be here" - Cyclocross riders left empty handed and with a bill because of Cabras World Cup cancellation

Dozens of riders made the trip to the Italian rider of Sardinia over the weekend. This also applies to plenty staff members, bikes and organization staff, and everyone involved at the World Cup Cabras event ended up with a bill to pay and nothing to show for. Brutal weather conditions forced the race to be cancelled last-minute in what was a very distant and expensive cross race.

There was no criticism of the decision to cancel the race, as the incredibly strong winds combined with the rain made it impossible to race the event under safe conditions. It was a very difficult decision to take, specially after everyone involved had already flown in for what was a very special and unique event, but it had to be done.

“I weigh 55 kilograms and with my bike and my rims it would be very difficult to stay upright here. I think I was going to have to hold on to my bike well," Eli Iserbyt shared in an interview with Sporza, in a race where the sand was expected to be crucial and he was a big favourite after winning a similar race in Antwerpen.

For the top riders, provided with bikes and good salaries/starting fees, it's not too much of a hassle. but many who have made the trip are flying back home without having raced, and losing potential training days - as is the case with most of the women's field who opted out. “It's a bit of a sour apple to bite financially. I think every rider has invested about 1,000 to 1,500 euros to be here. That is difficult to recover," Iserbyt, himself a key figure of the discipline, admits.

"Yes, it did cost some money. That’s just the way it is. We will have to earn that back at another time. Just staying straight with the bike would be super difficult. It's a shame, because it's a very nice location here. I was looking forward to it. It was a nice lap. Anyway, we have to accept this. I think it (cancelling) is also for our own good.”