Several bikes were stolen overnight from Visma-Lease a Bike's Vuelta a España squad after thieves broke into team vehicles at a hotel near Turin. Italian outlets reported up to 18 bikes stolen and a Tuttobicisport estimate put the value at €250,000. Visma-Lease a Bike confirmed the robbery on social media and said police launched an investigation, without specifying exact losses or operational impact. Stage 3 is a relatively short 134km route near Turin, giving mechanics time to source replacements. The theft follows Jonas Vingegaard's stage 2 victory; French sprinter Axel Zingle withdrew due to a dislocated shoulder sustained in the stage 2 pile-up.
A large number of bikes have been stolen from Visma-Lease a Bike's Vuelta a España squad overnight after thieves broke into team vehicles in their hotel near Turin. According to Italian media outlets, up to 18 bikes were robbed, with Tuttobicisport going so far as to claim that the squad would perhaps have to borrow spare parts or bikes in order for their riders to participate in stage 3. The Italian specialist site also estimated the value of the stolen bikes at 250,000 euros
The mass theft comes hard on the heels of Visma leader Jonas Vingegaard's spectacular victory and claiming of the red jersey in Limone Piemonte on stage 2. Later on Monday morning, Visma also confirmed that their French sprinter Axel Zingle will have to leave the race after his struggles with a dislocated shoulder following the mass pile-up in the closing kilometres on stage 2 that also affected Vingegaard and multiple other riders.
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