The Weather Code of the Tour de Taiwan: How March's Climate in Taiwan Affects Race Strategy

Weather Forecasters Are a Team’s Secret Weapon

You might think a cycling team is just riders, mechanics, and coaches. Wrong. Behind the scenes of top-tier teams, there’s a role that’s often overlooked—the meteorologist.

Across the five stages of the 2026 Tour de Taiwan, Taiwan’s March weather plays a significant role.

Taiwan’s March Weather Characteristics

Item	North (Taipei/Taoyuan)	South (Kaohsiung/Pingtung)	East (Hualien/Taitung)
Average Temperature	18-23°C	22-28°C	20-25°C
Rainfall Probability	Higher (spring rain)	Lower	Moderate
Humidity	70-85%	65-80%	70-85%
Wind Direction	Northeast wind	Transition to southwest wind	Valley wind gap

Weather Impact on Each Stage

Stage 1 Taipei: Urban Microclimate

Taipei’s buildings create a unique microclimate—some sections are shielded by high-rises with almost no wind, then suddenly you’re hit by a wind tunnel around a corner. Over 9 laps, riders in the criterium need to memorize the position of every wind gap and prepare in advance.

Taipei occasionally sees spring rain in March. Wet roads pose a huge risk for a criterium at 50 km/h—cornering grip drops and braking distances increase.

Stage 2 Taoyuan: Coastal Wind + Mountain Chill

The Taoyuan stage route hugs the coast first, then climbs into the mountains. Crosswinds on the coastal section could split the peloton into echelons. After climbing to Jiaobanshan, the temperature difference at 438 meters above sea level (about 3°C cooler than the plains) combined with wind chill could leave riders in thin jerseys feeling cold.

Stage 3 Kaohsiung: Southern Warmth and Wind

Kaohsiung is the warmest stage. Temperatures of 28°C mean more sweating and a higher risk of dehydration. Teams need to prepare extra bottles and electrolyte drinks.

On the flat roads after descending from the mountains, winds across the Pingtung Plain can be strong, significantly affecting the peloton’s formation before the finish.

Stage 4 Pingtung: The Windy Plain

The Pingtung Plain is Taiwan’s famous “wind gap” zone. With only 286 meters of climbing all day, there are no mountains for shelter—riders are exposed to the wind the entire time. This also explains why the peloton stays glued together on the Pingtung stage—no one wants to face the wind alone.

Stage 5 Hualien-Taitung: The Valley Wind Gap Effect

Provincial Highway 9 runs along the East Rift Valley, with the Coastal Mountain Range and Central Mountain Range forming a natural wind tunnel. Wind accelerates along the valley, creating fierce crosswinds or headwinds in certain sections.

The pleasant 20°C temperature is a bonus for this stage—neither hot nor cold, just right for riding.

Team Weather Response Strategies

Weather	Team Response
High heat	Increase bottle count, use ice vests, prepare more ice water at feed zones
Low temperature	Riders carry a thin windbreaker in the back pocket, mechanics prepare thermal base layers
Rain	Switch to wet-weather tires (reduce tire pressure by 10-15%), increase awareness of braking distances
Strong wind	Tactically use crosswinds, adjust wheel selection (avoid deep-section rims)
High humidity	Increase electrolyte intake, use anti-fog goggles

Wheel Selection and Weather

Wind directly influences wheel choice:

Light wind: Deep-section aero wheels of 80mm+ are viable
Moderate wind: Use mid-section wheels of 50-60mm
Strong crosswinds: Must switch to shallow rims of 30-40mm (otherwise crosswinds can make the wheel uncontrollable)

In the 2026 Tour de Taiwan, riders may use different wheel setups across stages to adapt to each stage’s wind conditions.

Weather Riding Tips for Fellow Cyclists

If you plan to ride the Tour de Taiwan route in March:

Carry a thin windbreaker: Temperature differences between mountains and plains can be significant
Watch for spring rain: Bring a lightweight rain jacket
Sunscreen is a must: UV levels are already strong in March
Bring extra water: Southern temperatures may dehydrate you faster than expected
Pay attention to wind direction: The valley wind on Provincial Highway 9 could cut your speed in half

Weather is the most uncontrollable variable in bike racing, but the teams and riders who best exploit the weather often gain an extra edge.