A NATO summit featuring Donald Trump is set to take place in June, raising concerns about the implications for the cycling season in the bicycle-loving Netherlands. The event will occur in The Hague from June 24 to 26, bringing together leaders from the 32-member alliance, and will be accompanied by stringent security measures at the World Forum.
The Dutch cycling federation announced recently that the extensive police presence required for the summit will leave fewer officers available for other duties until summer concludes. The federation expressed that the repercussions of the NATO summit on the cycling calendar for 2025 are quite severe. They stated, “From January 1, 2025, to August 31, 2025, there will be no capacity available for motorcycle police to supervise cycling races.”
Organizers have indicated that races within the country have faced challenges in recent years, primarily due to a shortage of specialized motorcycle police, who are essential for overseeing cycling events on public routes. Over the last five years, there has been a notable decline in the number of events requiring police escorting. In response to this obstacle, the Dutch cycling federation is developing a plan aimed at allowing the use of civilian motorcycle traffic controllers for future races.
Maurice Leeser, the federation’s director, shared his disappointment, stating, “It is bitter and disappointing to have to conclude that the two-day NATO summit results in an absence of motorcycle officers at cycling races for a period of no less than eight months, which is almost the entire cycling season.”
However, Leeser also emphasized that the federation will strive to find a resolution to ensure that events in 2025, such as the prestigious Amstel Gold Race, can proceed. He noted, “It is essential to advance the rapid deployment of civilian motorcycle traffic controllers.” Leeser urged ministries to allocate necessary resources swiftly so that a national guideline for civilian traffic controllers can be established.
The Amstel Gold Race, recognized as one of the premier single-day road races, has seen remarkable winners such as five-time Tour de France champion Eddy Merckx, Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, and former Olympic road race champion Marianne Vos. The next race is set for April 20.