About 300 members of the National Police and Civil Guard will form the safety column for the eighth stage of the upcoming Vuelta Ciclista a España, a crucial segment that runs on September 2 through the province of Alicante and stretches across seven municipal areas. The route covers 165 kilometers, moving from coast to interior communities, with the aim of safeguarding riders, officials, volunteers, and spectators while minimizing disruption to local life and traffic. This stage illustrates a meticulous orchestration between national security forces and regional authorities, reflecting the event’s scale and the need for precise, real-time coordination across jurisdictions.
Carlos Sánchez Heras, the government’s delegate in Alicante, presided over the coordination meeting for this eighth phase. The assembled team included Tour de Spain coach Fernando Escartín, who joined via video conference, illustrating the blended approach to planning that combines on-ground expertise with high-level strategic oversight. Also present were the commander of the Alicante Command, the regional police colonel, the provincial police chief, and other senior officials who bring a multi-faceted perspective to the operation. The participation of key law enforcement leaders helped align traffic management, crowd control, and emergency response with the event’s schedule and logistical constraints.
The meeting brought together representatives from the National Police Unit of the Valencian Community, the Provincial Traffic Directorate, and municipal authorities from Dénia, Els Poblets, Pego, Torremanzanas, Ibi, Onil, and Castalla. Heads of local police forces and regional emergency services, including the Valencia Emergency Service, were present to ensure a synchronized approach to incident response, medical access, and rapid intervention if needed. The collaboration extended to the Provincial Council and the Provincial Consortium of Alicante Firefighters, underscoring the integrated nature of the safety plan that relies on cross-agency communication and shared procedures across different levels of government.
Additional Civil Guard personnel will join the eighth stage, expanding the spectrum of capabilities with units from the Traffic Sub-Sector, Command, USECIC, Seprona, Pegaso, Tédax, and the Canine Unit. This expanded presence is designed to enhance surveillance, enforce traffic rules, and provide rapid, specialized response—whether it involves canine tracking, hazardous materials containment, or explosive ordnance mitigation—to ensure the stage proceeds smoothly and securely for all participants and spectators alike.
Sánchez Heras, representing the National Police, holds responsibility for safety at both the starting point and finish line of every Tour de Spain stage, in addition to coordinating the collection and parking of teams’ accreditations. He noted that personnel from the Dénia Police Station will implement the device and execute critical pre-stage operations, including preliminary security sweeps, crowd management zones, and safe passage corridors for athletes. This local-level involvement is essential to adapt the broader national plan to the distinctive geography and population flows of the coastal-to-inland route, ensuring visibility, accessibility, and rapid response times across districts.
The government co-delegate emphasized the ambition for this eighth phase to be executed with perfection. The message centered on the importance of seamless collaboration among all security forces—police, civil guard, firefighting and emergency services, and municipal authorities—to guarantee a smooth progression of the cycling tour. The emphasis was on clear responsibilities, real-time information exchange, and contingency readiness so that residents, visitors, and participants can enjoy the event with confidence and safety. The plan prioritizes unobtrusive, professional security measures that respect public enjoyment while maintaining rigorous standards of vigilance and coordination throughout the route and its checkpoints.