Cyclists face expulsion from Volta a Portugal for littering in Gerês forest

The organisers of the 87th Volta a Portugal cycling race have announced that riders who throw bottles, gel wrappers or any waste onto the ground during the 11km climb through the Mata da Albergaria, in Peneda-Gerês National Park, will be disqualified. The measure is part of a wider set of restrictions for the stage's passage through this UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve, which environmental groups have criticised. Public access will be banned, the accompanying caravan of vehicles, motorbikes and aerial filming will be reduced, and road traffic will be restricted for 18 hours. The ICNF authorised the crossing and will assess compliance afterwards.