AN AMBITIOUS teenage cyclist is ‘devastated’ after bikes worth £7,000 were stolen from his Paddox home.
Alex Harper,13, faces missing the start of the cyclocross season after burglars took his two cyclocross bikes – both less than a year old – and one road bike, each worth over £1,000.
It is a huge setback for the Ashlawn School pupil, who started race cycling three years ago and has already taken part in various national and regional challenges in his bid to become a professional racer.
Mum Judith Harper said: “He was devastated. He seriously wants to be a professional cyclist and ride the Tour de France.”
She said dedicated Alex rode the notorious Alp d’Huez 1800m mountain route from the Tour while on holiday this summer.
He has also ridden the national cyclocross championships last winter, the National Youth Tour of Isle of Man in May, and the 83-mile Napton Cycle Challenge in July – and also cycles in the West Midland Youth league.
He was the only non-adult to take part in the King of the Mytons charity ride earlier this month.
With the new cyclocross season due to start in early September, Alex now faces a stint on the sidelines after the burglars struck – also taking Judith’s two roadbikes which she uses to accompany her son when training.
Judith added: “The lock of our gate has been cut. It looks like a planned, professional job. The hinges were unscrewed from the shed.
“I think we were targeted. People see us come and go with the bikes on top of the car.”
Anyone with any information about the burglary is asked to call police on 101.
