Tens of thousands of motor bikers followed Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro yesterday from Sao Paulo to the neighbouring city of Americana along a 60-mile (100km) rally.
“This is a fantastic turnout,” the president said as he greeted followers at the event, streamed on social media.
Bolsonaro has mobilised motorcycle-riding supporters as he campaigns for re-election in October when he is expected to face former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
Bolsonaro has promised motor bikers he will end tolls for them on federal roads.
Among those riding a bike in the rally was former infrastructure minister Tarcisio Freitas, who resigned to run for governor of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, as Bolsonaro’s candidate.
Lula’s Workers Party (PT) has complained to Brazil’s Supreme Electoral Court (TSE) that Bolsonaro’s motorcades are illegal propaganda because election campaigning only starts officially on August 15 and the president should be fined.
The Sao Paulo government’s public security office did not have a number for the turnout of motorcyclists, but said it cost the taxpayer 1mn reais ($212,900) for the deployment of police officers, vehicles and drones to keep it safe and orderly.