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Aqua Blue team bus "completely damaged" in arson attack at Vuelta, other teams offer supportAqua Blue team bus after arson attack (via Twitter).JPG

Aqua Blue team bus "completely damaged" in arson attack at Vuelta, other teams offer support

Police have arrested man suspected of setting fire to bus in Almeria overnight
by Simon_MacMichael
Thu, Aug 31, 2017 09:46
4

The team bus belonging to Irish UCI Professional Continental outfit Aqua Blue has been "completely damaged" in an overnight arson attack in Almeria, Spain, where the team is making its Grand Tour debut in the Vuelta.

The team tweeted pictures of the damage this morning, and said that police had taken a suspect into custody. They confirmed that no-one had been injured.

Other teams have been expressing their support, offering to provide whatever help is needed.

In a statement, the team said: “At approximately 1.20am on 31st August, 2017 the Aqua Blue Sport Team Bus was completely gutted in a cowardly arson attack.

“The incident happened outside the Tryp Indalo Hotel in Almeria where the team were staying over night. The bus was parked on an adjoining street of Trevesia de San Luis.

“A mattress was placed under the rear of the vehicle and set alight. A suspect was arrested by local police near the scene and is currently in custody.

“As this is an active investigation we will not be releasing any further information. We would like to extend our gratitude to the Fire Service and the Police for their help during this difficult time. We would also like to thank Unipublic and ASO for their assistance.”

Race organsisers have provided the team with a 52-seat coach to enable them to get to the start of today's Stage 12 from Motril to Antequera.

Aqua Blue
Vuelta 2017
arson
Team Bus
Simon MacMichael

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.

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4 comments

Avatar
brooksby | 6 years ago
0 likes

I'd be looking for a squadron of x-wings (or was that the Sky team bus...?)

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
0 likes

The assumption being that a serial arsonist has an ounce of rational thought in his head. 1

Avatar
1961BikiE | 6 years ago
1 like

Nice one Don. But surely setting fire to your own bed is cutting off your nose to spite your face. 3

Makes you wonder what it's all about. Was Adam Boulton spotted in the vicinity?

Avatar
don simon fbpe | 6 years ago
3 likes

I'd probably do the same if someone parked their sodding bus over my bed.

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