Euskaltel, Baloise-Trek teams out of separate races after bike thefts

The Euskaltel and Baloise-Trek cycling teams were both unable to compete in the final stage of separate races in Slovenia and Belgium on Sunday after their bicycles were stolen.

"Team Euskaltel Euskadi's van and team bikes were stolen today from the hotel in Ljubljana," Tour of Slovenia organisers said on Facebook. "In total 14 Orbea Orca Aero bikes are missing."

Police were called, but despite an appeal for information the bikes were not recovered, a race spokesman told AFP.

The Spanish team, which competes in the second division, was therefore forced to withdraw. Their best rider Unai Iribar was in 17th position over two minutes behind race leader Filippo Zana before the start of the fifth and final stage.

In Brussels, the Baloise-Trek team also suffered the same fate, nearly 1,000km from the Slovenian capital. "Last night, we were victims of a theft of our bikes and wheels," the Belgian team said.

"Unfortunately it is not possible for us to start the last stage of the Tour of Belgium today. We are awaiting the police investigation."

The continental pro formation, mainly active in cyclo-cross, were staying in the same Brussels hotel as the Alpecin-Deceuninck, Lotto-Dstny and Soudal-Quick-Step teams who were not targeted.

Dutchman Joris Nieuwenhuis was their best ranked rider, in 31st place, 14 min 22 sec behind leader Mathieu van der Poel.

The Tour of Belgium ends on Sunday with a 195 km stage around Brussels. The Tour of Slovenia final stage runs from Vrhnika in central Slovenia to Novo mesto in the south.

Agence France-Presse