POLICE in Spain have arrested four people, believed to be pro-Catalan independence campaigners, amid allegations they attempted to sabotage one of the cycling world tour's largest events.
The third stage on La Vuelta a Espana, which runs from the Catalan capital of Barcelona to the Pyrenees mountains, was the alleged target.
Spain's national police force said there was a plan to empty two drums containing 400 litres of liquid, believed to be similar to motor oil, onto the road as cyclists passed.
However, a discovery on a bridge along the route on Saturday led to the arrests.
A video from the police force and posted on social media showed a black tube running from hidden barrels over the edge of a bridge.
“With this mechanism they intended to sabotage yesterday’s stage of La Vuelta,” said a statement posted on Twitter/X in Spanish.
Con este mecanismo pretendían sabotear la etapa de ayer de #LaVuelta23 👉🏻Dos bidones con 400 litros de líquido que pretendían arrojar en la calzada al paso del pelotón 👉🏻Cuatro personas detenidas in fraganti en #Lleida pic.twitter.com/pzEZpILBZ6
— Policía Nacional (@policia) August 29, 2023
“Two drums with 400 litres of liquid that they intended to throw on the road as the peloton passed.
"Four people arrested red-handed in Lleida.”
The video also shows two pairs of people being led by police into a large building.
Officers said they believe the people are members of a pro-Catalan independence group.
