Vuelta a España: Simon Gerrans' stolen bike found in second-hand shop on Costa del Sol
Monday, September 14, 2015 @ 2:54 PM
A BIKE stolen from a Vuelta a España rider was found in a second-hand shop on the Costa del Sol, priced at 1% of its value.
Team Orica Greenedge competitor Simon Gerrans, from Australia, had not had time to report the cycle (pictured) stolen after it vanished at the beginning of Spain's answer to the Tour de France, when the race was due to cut through the province of Málaga.
But he got it back just in time for the final stage, which ended in Madrid yesterday (Sunday).
The bicycle was found after police raided the store, which they believed had stolen items on sale – although it is not clear whether the owners were aware of this.
Its 'exceptional technical features' aroused their suspicions and prompted a full inquiry.
A man from the Costa del Sol who is known to police for several other criminal offences is believed to have taken the cycle and sold it to the shop.
He was arrested and charged with theft and handling stolen goods
Although the bike was on sale for €120, its current value is in region of €12,000.
Police, on their Twitter site, ironised about the 'yellow jersey' given to the winner of each stage of the Vuelta: “We're offering a striped jersey to the person who stole the Orica Greenedge bike, and his race will end in prison.”
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com