The organization for the World Cup cyclo-cross race in Zolder, Belgium scheduled for tomorrow has been given special permission to salt the course in order to make it safe for the race to take place. "The cross race on Saturday is a certainty," organizer Koen Monu told Sporza.
Yesterday, Niels Albert went to pre-ride the parcours, and after only half a lap, the dangerous icy conditions forced the World Champion to pack up his bike in favor of not "breaking legs". Alberts said he would skip the race rather than risk injury.
The Belgian's concerns were heard loud and clear by race organizers. They appealed to Zolder's Mayor and were able to get special permission to throw salt on the the course to melt the ice. Since salt could damage the asphalt , even with UCI approval to salt the course, they weren't at liberty to take the initiative on their own.
Monu said they have done several applications of salt to the course and it is now "ice-free". He says he is confident that the UCI officials will allow race number seven of the World Cup to go forward.