Theft setback for Irish squad

CYCLING: The Irish downhill mountainbike team is facing extinction, says manager Jim Smith, unless a benefactor can be found to help replace the bicycles which were stolen prior to the second round of the UCI World Cup at the weekend. An estimated €75,000 worth of bikes and equipment were taken from the team hotel at Alpe d'Huez in France.

"The lads were absolutely devastated when they saw the bikes were gone," said Smith. "When we checked into the hotel the staff kindly agreed to store them in an unused bar, which seemed secure, but thieves came with bolt cutters and broke in during the night. It is a massive blow for the team as the hotel has no insurance to cover the loss. The whole squad have been left without their equipment."

The Portuguese team was also hit in the raid, while the Spanish team staying in another hotel also suffered to the same gang.

The theft is a massive blow to the Irish team which is ranked 19th in the world and 10th in the junior (under-18) standings. The squad of amateurs competes on a shoestring budget against professional riders, financing the purchase of bikes and equipment from their own pockets.

"We unfortunately see this as the end of the Irish downhill team unless we can get bikes to compete in the next world cup in Canada," says Smith. "The way the UCI system works, we need points to qualify for next year. All of the riders finance themselves - they get a little assistance from Cycling Ireland and Hibernian Insurance, and some from Stena Line."

The next round of the world cup in Canada is just two weeks away. Smith says funding is the only way they will be able to get back on track and is hoping that a benefactor can be found.