Teenager's cyclocross dreams in tatters after £7k bike theft

A 13-year old cyclist’s dreams of becoming a cyclocross champ are in ruins after £7,000 worth of bikes were stolen from his home near Rugby.

Alex Harper is now likely to miss the start of the cyclocross season, as his two bikes worth more than £1,000 each were taken.

His mother’s road bikes which she used to accompany him when training were also removed.

Interview: Inside the mind of a bike thief

Swindon thieves grab £20k-worth of bikes from secure garage

Soldier finds his stolen bike on eBay - being sold by coporal from same barracks

The teenager has already ridden Alp d’Huez 1800m mountain route from the Tour while on holiday this summer, and has shown promise at 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.


He also cycles in the West Midland Youth league, and his ambition is to go professional.

His mother Judith Harper told the Rugby Observer: “He was devastated. He seriously wants to be a professional cyclist and ride the Tour de France.”

She 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.