Another big blow for Dutch cycling! ZLM Tour 2025 cancelled by lack of available police due to NATO summit
Cycling
Once again there has been more bad news for Dutch cycling, as the ZLM Tour will not take place in 2025. The stage race will not be run this year due to the lack of police available for the race, in connection with the NATO summit in The Netherlands.
"The ZLM Tour cannot escape this either and therefore cannot continue in 2025," admits Eelco Franckaert, manager of the ZLM Tour, in a press release. "Stage races are part and parcel of cycling. They help top athletes to excel, inspire new generations and connect local communities. But above all, safety always comes first."
"After the removal of police deployment, we explored all possible alternatives, such as adjusting routes and deploying traffic controllers and civilian motards. But unfortunately, without police deployment, we cannot sufficiently ensure safety around and in the courses," a very disappointed Franckaert continues. "With multiple start and finish locations, public roads and several municipalities involved, police deployment is essential for a responsible organisation of the ZLM Tour."
Franckaert also stresses that this is a big setback for Dutch Cycling. "This is a huge bummer for riders, cycling fans, volunteers and all partners who are committed to this unique multi-day race," he adds. "We will work with great ambition to get this Dutch stage race back on the cycling calendar in 2026."
After Veenendaal-Veenendaal and the Alfa Bier Trofee of Limburg, the ZLM Tour will now also definitively be cancelled due to the lack of police deployment. In addition, the Ster van Zwolle and the Ronde van Limburg will be converted into stages of the Olympia's Tour and as such, will no longer be run as separate classics. Thankfully though, the Amstel Gold Race does at least look set to bring some exciting cycling action to The Netherlands in 2025 season.
En ook de ZLM Tour gaat niet door vanwege gebrek aan politiebegeleiding. Wat een bizarre, absurde, vreselijke kaalslag in de Nederlandse wielerkalender.
— Thijs Zonneveld (@thijszonneveld) February 12, 2025
Safety comes first, yes, but let’s not be too small minded. When it comes to choosing between sacrificing some cycling or ensuring we don’t become a pawn or victim in the next war, I’m quite ok with less cycling. For those worried about some cycling too close to Goma, think about updating your countdown to WWIII, there has been a huge rise in possible triggers lately.
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