Cautiously positive news for Amstel Gold Race, Olympia's Tour, Renewi Tour, and Simac Ladies Tour: Motorcycle officers potentially available

There is finally some cautiously good news for Dutch cycling races. The police are investigating whether they can provide motorcycle officers for four races in 2025. Previously, it was announced that police resources would be limited due to additional training and security requirements for the NATO summit in The Hague at the end of June. Dutch cycling events were affected by this, but now a potential partial solution has been found.

According to the Royal Dutch Cycling Union (KNWU), discussions with the police over the past few months have concluded that four major cycling events may still be able to use police motorcycle officers. These are the Amstel Gold Race (for both men and women), the Olympia’s Tour, the Renewi Tour, and the Simac Ladies Tour. However, the police have warned that the number of motorcycle officers available for these events will be lower than in previous years, and nothing is certain yet. This also means that other cycling races in 2025 will have to proceed without police escort.

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KNWU cannot perform miracles and also looks beyond 2025

Maurice Leeser, Director of the Cycling Federation, expressed concerns about the impact of the current situation on the 2025 cycling calendar. “Over the past months, we’ve had intensive and constructive discussions with the police. Despite the challenges posed by the NATO summit and the significant scarcity of police resources, we’ve done our utmost to secure as many motorcycle officers as possible for cycling races. While I had hoped for greater availability, I also understand that we can’t perform miracles,” he said in a press release. The KNWU remains in dialogue with the police to explore options for 2025, 2026, and the years ahead.

Outside the four highlighted races, it is already confirmed that there will be no police involvement. “We see opportunities to still organize great races in all cases. Many organizers have now adapted their plans for 2025 to use loops with motor escort teams,” said Joost van Wijngaarden, KNWU’s Manager of Race Sport.

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Also cautious good news for the Simac Ladies Tour

Motorcycle support teams are the future of Dutch cycling

“The police are pleased that the KNWU has taken the initiative to explore alternative methods for race escort and that progress is being made on developing a national guideline for civilian motor traffic controllers. Regardless of the outcomes of further discussions with the police and subsequent availability, it’s clear that these motor escort teams will be essential for race safety in 2025 and beyond,” Van Wijngaarden stated.

In 2023, a study was launched to evaluate whether civilian motor traffic controllers could take over escort duties from police motorcycle officers without compromising safety standards. The study was completed in September 2024, and the findings were shared with the Dutch parliament in late November 2024. The conclusion is that civilian motor traffic controllers can play a valuable role if they are well-trained, use appropriate communication tools, and are clearly identifiable. As Van Wijngaarden noted, the KNWU is now working on a national guideline for these controllers, with financial support from the Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sport (VWS).

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