10 Bahrain-Merida bikes stolen ahead of Hammer Series race in the Netherlands

Luka Pibernik on a Merida Warp TT bike at stage 21 at the Giro, similar to the nine that had been stolen

(Image credit: Yuzuru SUNADA)

By Craig Cunningham 2017-06-01T15:31:50Z

Nine Merida Warp time trial bikes and a Merida Reacto were stolen from Bahrain-Merida's team truck last night in Limburg, the Netherlands as they prepared for the Hammer Series race.

The truck was parked in the hotel car park where they were staying near Limburg but that didn't stop thieves from taking on the audacious theft.

>>> What is the Hammer Series, and how does it work? (video)

Fitted with state of the art Fulcrum Disc wheels, Dura-Ace Di2 groupset and SRM Power meter system, the TT bikes on their own are worth a pretty penny but nine of them will be a substantial loss to the team.

On top of that, one Merida Reacto was also stolen which was, again, fitted with Dura-Ace Di2 groupset including a SRM Power meter system.

Despite the huge loss, the team still have enough bikes to compete in Friday's race in Limburg and say that "rider’s morale and motivation is high" but admitted that they will have to use road bikes for the time trial on Sunday instead of their specifically designed Warp TT bikes.

The team urge anyone with information or if they see anyone riding the bikes to contact them on info@bahraincyclingteam.com.