A NATO summit with Donald Trump next June is putting at risk a big chunk of the cycling season in the bike-crazy Netherlands.
The Hague will host heads of state and government of the 32-member organization amid intense security measures at the World Forum from June 24-26.
The Dutch cycling federation said this week that, because of the police deployment required, less forces than usual are temporarily available for other tasks until the end of the summer.
“The impact of the NATO summit on the 2025 cycling calendar is disastrous,” the federation said. “From Jan. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2025, there will be no capacity available for motorcycle police to supervise cycling races.”
The federation says races organized in the Netherlands have been under pressure for several years because of a lack of specialized motorbike police officers whose expertise is needed to supervise cycling races on public roads.
Over the past five years, the number of competitions which required police escorts has been reduced. To make up for the lack of police officers, the Dutch cycling federation is working on a new scheme that would allow in the future the deployment of civilian motorcycle traffic controllers at races.
“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," said Maurice Leeser, the federation director.
Leeser added the federation will continue to work on a solution to allow the 2025 races, including the famed Amstel Gold Race spring classic, to take place.
“In this respect, it is crucial to make progress in the accelerated deployment of civilian motorcycle traffic controllers,” he said. "We hereby make an urgent appeal to the ministries to make the necessary resources available as soon as possible to have a national guideline for civilian motorcycle traffic controllers developed.”
The Amstel Gold Race is one of the blue-ribbon single-day road races. Its winners include five-time Tour de France champion Eddy Merckx, Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel and former Olympic road race champion Marianne Vos. The next edition is scheduled for April 20.
AP cycling: https://apnews.com/hub/cycling
FILE - The pack passes a windmill near the village of Beek during the 50th edition of the Amstel Gold cycling race over 258 kilometers (160 miles) with start in Maastricht and finish in Valkenburg, southern Netherlands, Sunday, April 19, 2015. (AP Photo, File)
DUBLIN (AP) — Code-switcher Joseph Sua'ali'i has recovered from injury to make Australia's team for the rugby test against Ireland, which handed 21-year-old flyhalf Sam Prendergast a second straight start and is set to give Cian Healy a national record 134th cap.
Sua'ali'i came off holding his right arm just a half-hour into Australia's 27-13 loss to Scotland last weekend that ended the Wallabies' bid for a first Grand Slam of the home unions since 1984.
However, he was declared fit for the last match of Australia's end-of-year European tour and will make his third start since a high-profile switch from rugby league last month.
Flyhalf Tane Edmed will be the 19th Wallabies debutant this year if he comes off the bench, while winger Harry Potter — a try scorer on debut against Scotland — drops to the reserves as Max Jorgensen returns.
Prendergast made his Ireland debut off the bench against Argentina two weeks ago, and his first start for his country against Fiji last weekend. He kept his place at No. 10 against most expectations, ahead of Jack Crowley, who started against New Zealand and Argentina.
Healy will break a tie on 133 caps with Brian O’Driscoll should he come off the bench in Dublin. The 37-year-old prop made his debut against the Wallabies in 2009.
“Cian is a giant of Irish rugby,” Ireland coach Andy Farrell said, “and we are determined to provide him with a performance that he deserves.”
Australia opened its tour by beating England and Wales before fading against the Scots.
“It’s been a challenging year where we have grown a bit as a squad," said Australia coach Joe Schmidt, who used to lead Ireland, "and we have an opportunity to challenge ourselves again against what is a settled and cohesive Ireland team.”
Lineups:
Ireland: Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Sam Prendergast, Jamison Gibson-Park; Caelan Doris (captain), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter. Reserves: Gus McCarthy, Cian Healy, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Garry Ringrose.
Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph Sua’ali’i, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Reserves: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tane Edmed, Harry Potter.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii reacts after the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Australia's Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, right, watches his team during the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Scotland and Australia in Edinburgh, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024.(AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Ireland's Cian Healy, left, with teammates celebrate at the end of the Autumn Nations series rugby union match between Ireland and Argentina, at Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
