Severe weather through Montreal on Friday night prompted organizers to cancel the 20-kilometre Tour la Nuit, one of the city’s largest annual cycling events, disappointing cyclists who were reportedly ready to go at the start line.
“Until the very last moment, the teams from Vélo Québec, the City of Montreal, and the Montreal Police Service collaborated to find a solution to ensure the safety of the route,” Vélo Québec said in a statement posted on its website.
“Despite all their efforts, no safe option could be adopted.”
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the Montreal area shortly after 8 p.m. Small hail and brief bursts of heavy rain followed.
“The safety of participants remains our top priority,” the organization added. “Given the current weather conditions, it was not feasible to hold the event without being able to guarantee optimal safety conditions.”
The Tour la Nuit route was scheduled to begin at Jarry Park and travel through the boroughs of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, St-Laurent and Villeray–St-Michel–Parc-Extension.
Vélo Québec said registered participants will be allowed to take part in the Tour de l’Île, scheduled for Sunday, using their Tour la Nuit bib numbers.
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