Copenhagen Sprint organizers ensured route clear of Pokémon GO players

The Copenhagen Sprint cycling race enjoyed a vibrant atmosphere on Saturday, with participants and spectators creating a colorful scene. The event, held in central Copenhagen, attracted many cycling enthusiasts eager to watch the women's World Tour race.

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We have been in dialogue with them leading up to this, so we have ensured that there were no digital Pokémon suddenly on the route that they had to go out and catch.

Adding to the festive backdrop were thousands of Pokémon GO players participating in a large mobile game event in nearby Fælledparken. Race organizers proactively communicated with the Pokémon GO event organizers to prevent any clashes. "We have been in dialogue with them leading up to this, so we have ensured that there were no digital Pokémon suddenly on the route that they had to go out and catch," said race director Tobias Hoff.

"In this way, we have managed to steer clear of them. But on the other hand, we are helping each other a bit by having some of them come over to look at our event and vice versa," Hoff added. The women's race began in Roskilde and concluded with three laps in the Danish capital. Hoff noted that street attendance exceeded expectations, especially considering the weather forecast. "I had probably feared that the rain would keep people away, but that was not the case at all, I think," he said.

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In this way, we have managed to steer clear of them. But on the other hand, we are helping each other a bit by having some of them come over to look at our event and vice versa.

Reflecting on last year's criticism regarding safety, particularly concerning road markings and medians, Hoff stated that these issues were largely avoided in the second edition of the women's race. Amalie Dideriksen, the best-placed Dane in eighth, commented that the peloton avoided many small towns, thus bypassing numerous median obstacles. She also suggested that last year's problems might have been exaggerated compared to similar conditions in races in Holland and Belgium.

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I had probably feared that the rain would keep people away, but that was not the case at all, I think.

Organizers implemented lessons learned from the previous year by increasing the number of volunteers and flag marshals. "We have far more flag posts out there. This ensures that incorrect vehicles do not enter the course, and our race marshals can drive out and cover off when there are central medians," Hoff explained. The men's Copenhagen Sprint race is scheduled for Sunday.

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We have far more flag posts out there. This ensures that incorrect vehicles do not enter the course, and our race marshals can drive out and cover off when there are central medians.