Leading cycling team Garmin Sharp had all their bikes stolen overnight at the Tour Méditerranéen in Southern France. The news ws broken on twitter by team soigneur Matt Rabin;
While everyone was sleeping, some unscrupulous local scallywags have gone & pilfered ALL THE BIKES #TypiqueDeRegion twitter.com/mattrabin/stat…
— Matt Rabin (@mattrabin) February 9, 2013
You couldn't hope to make €10k from robbing a bank these days, so why not rob a cycling team and nip off with €250k #easynightswork, w******
— Matt Rabin (@mattrabin) February 9, 2013
Among the cyclists taking part for Garmin Sharp is former Irish champion Dan Martin. He was hoping for their return;
Please RT. Stolen bikes. 16 brand new di2 equiped cervelo R5. Still with race numbers. #couldntmakeitup no race today then #badstarttotheyr
— Dan Martin (@DanMartin86) February 9, 2013
Dutch cyclist Michel Kreder confirmed they won't be taking part today, despite the offer of bikes from other teams.
Latest news.. Different teams want to give us bikes to race on.. But it's not the same feeling as our own bikes so we will not race today..
— Michel Kreder (@michelkreder) February 9, 2013
Garmin Sharp were making their strt to the European cycling season. Martin was lying in 25th place ahead of today's stage. His cousin Nicolas Roche is in an excellent 8th place with only 2 stages left.
