Return: GNR and PSP monitor the race to ensure public safety

The GNR and PSP are monitoring the 86th Tour of Portugal, which kicked off on Wednesday in Maia, aiming to ensure the safety of cyclists and the public and minimize traffic congestion caused by the race.

According to those two security forces, in statements released this week, policing operations are taking place in the various districts through which the event passes: Aveiro, Braga, Bragança, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Guarda, Leiria, Lisbon, Porto, Santarém, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real and Viseu.

"The main objectives of this operation are to guarantee the safety of cyclists and the general public, as well as to ensure the fluidity of traffic during the race," said the GNR.

Furthermore, it “aims to prevent accidents and minimize traffic constraints resulting from the passage of the event along its respective routes, ensuring that all safety conditions are assured, both for the caravan accompanying the event and for road users.”

The PSP will be present in the towns and cities where the cycling event takes place, "to prevent and remedy any disturbance to public order, tranquility and safety, prioritizing the protection of people, the regulation of traffic (vehicles and pedestrians) in all phases and areas of action within its area of responsibility, paying particular attention to the starting/finishing points, in order to ensure that the competition takes place without incidents and/or obstacles."

The GNR appeals to the public to follow the 'Volta' in the respective locations where it passes, to "respect the safety instructions given by the GNR military" and to "be attentive and comply with the signage placed on the Guard vehicles that are part of the mobile security device".

The PSP also asks spectators to “avoid gathering at the starting and finishing points of each stage”, “watch the races in the permitted locations, away from the verges and without interfering with the movement of athletes and other vehicles belonging to the races”, “do not cross the roadway when cyclists are passing” and “do not circulate by any means on the streets where the races pass”.

Spectators are also asked to “always supervise children and prevent them from running into the road”, “avoid using drones without authorization”, and “park safely, without obstructing access or emergency routes”.

The 86th Tour of Portugal, which ends on August 17 in Lisbon, covering a total of 1,581 kilometers, has the participation of 111 cyclists.

After the prologue in Maia, won by Portuguese cyclist Rafael Reis (Anicolor-Tien21), the 1st stage of the race takes place today.

Today, cyclists face 162.3 kilometers between Viana do Castelo and the Sameiro Sanctuary in Braga, where the finish line coincides with a second-category mountain climb, which will be climbed twice.