The annual motorbike festival near Faro airport attracted 20,000 people and went off without any violence, bad behaviour or serious incidents despite the arrest of six drunk-drivers and one for not having a driving licence.
"The 37th International Motorcycle Rally, was a success,” according to Faro Mayor, Rogério Bacalhau, "due to the work of the Faro Motorcycle Club and the authorities involved, whose presence helped ensure that everything all went peacefully.”
The event ended, “without incidents or any serious accidents,” according to the local police who noted that 17,000 bikes had been admitted to the festival and that there had been nine incidents in total.
The earlier banning of 58 members of the Hell’s Angel’s motorbike gang from attending the festival also helped to ensure peace and harmony, as did 850 men and women in uniform.
"Contrary to what has been feared, there were no significant public order offences, which again demonstrates the peaceful and family nature of what is considered one of the largest motorcycle meetings in the world,” read a statement from the Council
Faro Council also congratulated the Bombeiros, INEM, Red Cross and to all the services and bodies that helped host the 37th festival, "in particular to the 1,000 or more volunteers involved and to locals who, as is traditional, contributed to the success of this event with their hospitality and by joining in.”
Foto © Luís Forra/Lusa
