'I don't feel safe at home any more': Alex Dowsett left shaken after burglars steal time trial bike
Former Hour Record holder says it was pure luck that only one bike was stolen
British time trial ace Alex Dowsett has admitted he isn’t sure he’ll feel safe at home any more following a “distressing” burglary at his home in Chelmsford while he is racing abroad in which his “pride and joy” time trial bike was stolen.
Dowsett appealed on Tuesday for help in finding the bike which was stolen over the weekend.
Speaking at the Dubai Tour where he is settling into his new role in sprinter Marcel Kittel’s lead out train, the former holder of multiple national time trial records said: “It’s my TT bike! It’s my pride and joy, but anyone who has been robbed knows it’s a bit like someone you love having cancer in that you never think it’s going to happen to you and then it does and everyone who it’s happened to has that story of distress.”
>>> Alex Dowsett has rare Canyon team bike stolen in burglary
He added: “It’s your home, it’s where you feel safe and suddenly you don’t. They have clearly waited until I’ve gone away, I give an insight into my life freely on social media and someone has taken advantage of that.”
Dowsett continued: “My girlfriend is at home, it’s the first race of the year with a new team and it’s the last place I want to be right now I want to be at home with her looking after her. I’ve had a lot of support from friends that have offered to stay with her, my dad has gone to stay with her a bit.”
While Dowsett acknowledged that although it would be possible for thieves to know when he was away regardless of social media he doubted they had “the intelligence” to work that out.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“If they were that smart would they resort to robbery or would they be doing something worthwhile with their life?” he said.
The former Hour Record holder said the burglary happened over the weekend but that his girlfriend and father had decided not to tell him about it until after the first stage of the Dubai Tour, his first with Katusha-Alpecin, to avoid distracting him.
“It's one of those things people who love you want to protect you from what’s going on,” he said. “But also life does go on and you have to deal with those things.”
Dowsett revealed that the thieves only took his time trial bike but had tried to steal another as well. “I had a friend's Trek Madone he leant to me, it was on the side but it needed one wheel. They were smart enough to know to put that together but they put one of my Zipps in and the rim was too wide and it wouldn’t roll. So they just left it,” he said.
The 29-year-old revealed it was “lucky” his Hour Record bike and his Canyon road bike were not in the garage attached to his house where the time trial bike was stolen from. After revealing where they were he said, “I’m getting nervous just telling you that,” clearly concerned he might be inspiring further burglaries.
Dowsett said he was installing additional security measures following the robbery. “The house is a secure house and we’re upgrading even more now it’ll be like Fort Knox now,” he said.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Having trained as a journalist at Cardiff University I spent eight years working as a business journalist covering everything from social care, to construction to the legal profession and riding my bike at the weekends and evenings. When a friend told me Cycling Weekly was looking for a news editor, I didn't give myself much chance of landing the role, but I did and joined the publication in 2016. Since then I've covered Tours de France, World Championships, hour records, spring classics and races in the Middle East. On top of that, since becoming features editor in 2017 I've also been lucky enough to get myself sent to ride my bike for magazine pieces in Portugal and across the UK. They've all been fun but I have an enduring passion for covering the national track championships. It might not be the most glamorous but it's got a real community feeling to it.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
Cycling Time Trials' 20mph speed limit rule will help 'protect our sport long term', says Alex Dowsett
New ruling for UK TTing says that riders must ‘adhere to posted speed limits’, in order to prevent 'public outrage'
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Alex Dowsett analyses Hour Record attempt: 'I’m confident that was everything I had'
Briton's Hour Record attempt raises over £45,000 for charity
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Alex Dowsett falls short of Hour Record in Mexico
Briton misses out on record at the Aguascalientes Velodrome in Mexico
By Richard Windsor Last updated
-
Watch: Alex Dowsett Hour Record attempt live stream
Dowsett begins his Hour Record attempt at 10pm GMT
By Cycling Weekly Published
-
'I think it’s a 50-50': Victor Campenaerts unsure if Alex Dowsett will break his Hour Record
The current Hour Record holder says he is happy to cede it to Dowsett and won't try and regain the title if he does manage to beat him on Wednesday in Mexico
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
How to watch Alex Dowsett's Hour Record attempt: Live stream the event from Mexico
Here's how you can watch Dowsett's livestreamed hour record attempt
By Ryan Dabbs Last updated
-
Alex Dowsett forced to postpone Hour Record attempt
Alex Dowsett has been forced to postpone his Hour Record attempt.
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Alex Dowsett’s Strava offers insight into his Hour Record training
Despite a stressful and chaotic year the work is not done for Britain’s Alex Dowsett, as he prepares for an assault on the prestigious Hour Record.
By Alex Ballinger Published