Protesting Dutch police to disrupt Tour de France

The first two stages of the 2015 Tour de France may encounter some obstacles, if police in the Netherlands have their way.

On July 4, the day the race kicks off in Utrecht, officers demanding better pay and working conditions from the Dutch government plan to hold a protest race of their own along the Grand Depart, the opening stages of the Tour. As the race enters its second stage on July 5, though, police have more disruptive action in mind. Officers intend to block the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, requiring all riders to come to a full halt. Support vehicles will be subject to random traffic checks, also forcing the cyclists to stop.

Sporting events have often been targeted amid the ongoing pay dispute, but with its high-profile global prominence, the Tour is unique — and leveraging that outreach is the idea, police say. “Through this action we want to get our point across world wide,” police spokesman Garrett Van de Kamp said. “With this action we have the eyes of the world focused on us and everyone will be able to see what is happening here in the Netherlands around the police.”

The stops, police said, will end once they see that their actions have been broadcast and their point made. Tour organizers haven’t commented, but if they try to change the route or the timing, the police union added, officers targeting the race will simply revise their tactics accordingly.

In other news, seven squads have announced their rosters, with the Tour de France now nine days away.