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news
Alexandar Richardson.PNGProfessional cyclist robbed of bike by Richmond Park machete gang
Alpecin-Fenix professional cyclist Alexandar Richardson has spoken of the frightening moment he was targeted by a gang of moped riders in Richmond Park yesterday who knocked him off his bike, dragged him along for 100 metres, then threatened him with a machete as they stole it.
The 31-year-old, who earlier this week rode the Belgian one-day race Binche-Chimay-Binche, was on a training ride yesterday when he was targeted by the thieves.
Writing on Instagram, he said that he was finishing his ride at around 3pm “when two motor bikes with four 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.”
Richardson tried to get away from the robbers, but was rammed from his bike and desperately tried to hold onto his bike before letting go of it when he was threatened with the weapon.
“I turned around at East Sheen roundabout and started riding full speed to the cafe about 500 metres away. They simply rode one of the motor bikes into me at 60kph,” he said.
“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 let the bike go.”
“I’m pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip but tomorrow is another day,” Richardson continued.
“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,” he added.
Richardson did not give details of his bike, but it was most likely a team issue Canyon Aeroad.
It is the second violent robbery in which a cyclist has been targeted at Richmond Park within 24 hours.
On Tuesday evening, the owner of a 2021 Cannondale System Six was pushed off his bike by two men on an electric scooter and wearing balaclavas, who then made off with it.
Yesterday around 7pm I was training in Richmond park and 2 guys in electric scooter and balaclavas push me of my bike and took it. Not a common bike to see. If you see a bike like that please contact @metpoliceuk
frame number ending with 20@RichmondPkCycle
Thanks pic.twitter.com/1BQmSq1HRY
— J AM (@jam211191) October 7, 2021
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- Rendel Harris 7 min ago
It's next door to County Ups, which for obvious reasons isn't so popular with cyclists.
- JLasTSR 16 min 35 sec ago
I have three bikes I am fond of each of them and not one has cost me more than £400. In fact two cost £80 and the other originally cost my family ...
- mark1a 6 hours 10 min ago
Don't open at Edinburgh Fringe with that one.
- David9694 9 hours 51 min ago
Imagine writing such a pathetic, victim-ey article in a national newspaper.
- Oldfatgit 15 hours 26 min ago
I got something that'll beat you all .....
- chrisonabike 16 hours 10 min ago
Aggrieved motorists?...
- wtjs 18 hours 7 min ago
The fact that such self driving cars don't BMW/Audi drivers do exist is proof - as if it were needed - that Gods don't exist
- Johnny Rags 19 hours 2 min ago
Wouldn't generalisations about generations be, I don't know, "generationalisations"?
- ErnieC 20 hours 5 min ago
No chance of that ever being a human being.
- Rendel Harris 1 day 16 hours ago
No idea if Cancellara was using a motor or not, I hope not as I greatly enjoyed him as a rider, but the tech was certainly available, I can...
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67 comments
You've surpassed yourself, there, Nigel.
Nigel achieved his objective.
He made up a story and found a way to get three of his regular subjects shoehorned in (Khan, Freeman and 2 abreast).
This highjacked a thread about violence against a cyclist into a conversation about cyclist behaviour and Khan's security detail.
Transparent as always.
I'm kind of shocked he didn't mention that some of those evil abreast cyclists were on TT bikes...
That did cross my mind too.
Wait - this is a cycling forum??
Before you spout any more of your hate tripe, you might care to peruse this:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/09/sadiq-khans-247-se...
Khan sometimes needs up to fifteen trained anti-terrorist police to protect him, not at his request but at the orders of the police and secret service. His house is under 24/7 police surveillance due to credible death threats against him and his family, the Christchurch massacre gunman in his manifesto included a direct exhortation to people to have Khan killed...your continued mendacious attepts to smear him for having a very necessary security detail when going about all aspects of his professional and family life are pathetic and reveal just how close in thought and ideology you are to those he has to be guarded against.
Still, if you genuinely believe London is so dangerous that if your bike breaks down you won't get home alive, and if that belief keeps you out of London, I can say on behalf on Londoners we're pretty happy with that.
On the occasion in question Khan was advised that due to the numbers gathering in his local park it was not safe for him to walk there.
I challenge you to show anywhere that I have called Tories "scum" or "lowlives". Liars, certainly. If you are seriously claiming that Tories are as "othered, ostracised and demonised" as Muslims and other ethnic minority groups in this country then you are either trolling as usual or deeply, deeply stupid. I suspect it's a mix of both.
Didn't you post a meme calling Conservatives 'lower than vermin' the other day?
Yes.
Yes, you did.
Did I post a famous quote from Nye Bevan, founder of the National Health Service? Yes I did. Do you know the difference between quoting somebody and saying something yourself? No you don't.
So, by your definition it's ok to post, for example, an antisemitic meme because you're not the original author...
That's not how it works Rendel but I think you knew that already.
Yes, antisemitic memes and ones insulting the Tories are exactly the same, aren't they, you poor little "othered, ostracised and demonised" group? Goodness me, I used to think that you and NG (possibly the same person) were quite dangerous because you had a thin veneer of superficial intelligence, but over recent weeks that really has worn off to show who you both really are. It's not a pretty sight. Got to go and do some grownup busy work now so will leave you and your alterego to your lovein, I look forward to your lofty, patronising and increasingly desperate attempts at putdowns when I return. Hugs x
Nice attempt at deflection Rendel.
You have a responsibility for the content you post.
If you post memes attacking any group then you cannot deny responsibility for attacking said group.
That was my point, you knew that, you also knew it exposed you as the hypocritical troll you are.
Think before you post Rendel, it might save you from quite so much embarrassment.
Those troublesome personality traits again Rich.
Abusing people just because they disagree with you is not the best way to approach life.
We've been over this Rendel.
You have simultaneously proved yourself both a troll and a hypocrite.
If you find an accurate description of your own behaviour upsetting perhaps that is something you need to reflect on.
As an aside I notice you've got no comeback to my actual point.
Those troublesome personality traits again Rich.
Abusing people just because they disagree with you is not the best way to approach life.
How far you've fallen Rendel.
It's a shame.
When you first joined I honestly thought you'd be a positive addition to the forum.
Those troublesome personality traits again Rich.
Abusing people just because they disagree with you is not the best way to approach life.
You can tell a lot about a person by how they react to being proved wrong.
Have a nice day Rendel.
You can tell even more about people by how they insist that somebody else has been proved wrong solely on the basis of their own evidence-free judgment and prejudices, it's very revealing of their troublesome personality traits.
Rich / Rendel, you two are more alike than you realise.
They should get a room
D'you "ship" them? I do, most definitely...
I'd never heard of that term before, so I've learnt something today
Friend first and a teacher second. Probably an entertainer third.
My medical advisors have told me to avoid being in any room with a Tory, it's extremely bad for my blood pressure.
Have you tried an anti-inflamma-Tory?
Would it blow your mind to find out that I regularly change the political party I vote for?
It's a crazy idea but I actually read the manifestos, watch the interviews and debates then make up my mind.
I don't insult people for voting differently to me or insinuate that I'm morally superior in some way.
Intolerance of other opinions leads to the scenes we've seen at Chris Packham's home this week.
It starts with insults, progresses to threats and ends in violence.
Old advice. I can't believe you've been able to even see a GP for years
Yes, you should reflect on that also.
I've had a few laughs this morning but that one was one of the best. Thank you.
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