Pro cyclist attacked and robbed of £10k bike by gang in Richmond Park
Professional cyclist reveals four machete-wielding, balaclava-clad thieves on motorbikes chased him down in Richmond Park before crashing into him, dragging him over 100 yards and stealing his £10,000 bike
- Alexandar Richardson was mugged for his bike in a violent attack by four men
- Pro cyclist was training in Richmond Park when harrowing incident happened
- He tried to escape but one of the motorbikes deliberately crashed into him
- Eventually Richardson gave up £10,000 bike when threatened with a machete
A professional cyclist has detailed a harrowing attack during which he was knocked off his bike by machete-wielding thieves on motorbikes.
Alexandar Richardson, 31, was training in Richmond Park on Thursday afternoon when four attackers gave chase, with two of them on motorbikes.
Richardson attempted to escape before one of the motorbikes drove into him, knocking him down before he was dragged 109 yards, causing nasty scrapes to his legs.
The thugs then threatened him with a 15-inch machete before he gave up the £10,000 bike.
The victim, who rides for UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix, shared his shocking incident on Instagram, writing: ‘Pretty shocking experience today in Richmond park. Was finishing my training around 3pm when two motor bikes with 4 men and balaclavas started following me.
‘I knew exactly they wanted to take my bike and started to think what the best thing I could do was. I turned around at east sheen roundabout and started riding full speed to the cafe about 500 metres away.
Alexandar Richardson (pictured previously at a cycling race) wrote about his harrowing ordeal on social media after the incident on Thursday afternoon
Richardson was dragged along the ground and suffered nasty cuts to his legs
London-based pro Richardson is currently finishing his second season with UCI Pro Team Alpecin-Fenix
‘They simply rode one of the motor bikes into me at 60kph. I came off the bike and the first motor bike lost control.
‘I held onto my bike however the second motor bike then dragged me and the bike along the floor for another 100 metres.
‘After this they pulled out a 15 inch machete. At which point I thought better and let the bike go. I’m pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip but tomorrow is another day.
‘Please be careful in the area and note this is becoming a common occurrence in parts of London.
‘The police have taken their notes down as armed robbery and hopefully the criminals are found.
‘Please raise awareness. At least I got most of the ride in even if no file to show for it! Once again the wife to the rescue to pick me up.’
A total of 74,573 bikes were reported stolen in England and Wales last year with Greater London having the highest rate of crime in the country.
A police spokesperson said: ‘Police were called at 1601hrs on Thursday to reports of a robbery in Richmond Park.
‘Officers attended and it was reported that a man had been assaulted by a group of men who stole his bike. He did not require hospital treatment.
‘They carried out a search of the area but found no trace of the suspects. Officers took an initial statement. Enquiries continue. No arrests have been made.’
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUu9tr-M4ww/
A post shared by Alexandar Richardson (@alexrichitaly)
Richardson did his best to hold onto his £10,000 bike but it was taken from him at knife point
The Royal Parks Police said it will be investigating the incident and patrols will continue
The Royal Parks Police said it will be investigating the incident and patrols around the park will continue.
The 31-year-old Richardson is in the midst of finishing his second season with Alpecin-Fenix, having raced at Continental level with Canyon dhb before in 2019.
His last appearance was at this week’s Binche-Chimay-Binche one-day race, having taken part in the WorldTour Eschborn-Frankfurt and the Tour of Britain in September.
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