Alexandar Richardson was robbed of his custom bike worth more than £10,000 when he was targeted by a gang of thugs on motorcycles who allegedly threatened him with a machete in broad daylight.
The British professional cyclist was training in Richmond Park, west London, at around 3pm on Thursday afternoon when he noticed he was being followed.
Four men wearing balaclavas on two motorcycles had him in their sights and, despite his best efforts to get away, he was knocked off his bicycle when one of the chasing bikes collided with his back wheel.
The 31-year-old said he held on to the bike as he was dragged long the floor, but soon changed his mind about refusing to give up the custom-made machine when one of the robbers threatened him with a machete.
Richardson said on Instagram : "Was finishing my training around 3pm when two motor bikes with four men and balaclavas started following me.
"I knew exactly they wanted to take my bike and started to think what the best thing I could do was. I turned around at East Sheen roundabout and started riding full speed to the cafe about 500 metres away.
"They simply rode one of the motor bikes into me at 60kph. I came off the bike and the first motor bike lost control. I held onto my bike however the second motor bike then dragged me and the bike along the floor for another 100 metres.
"After this they pulled out a 15 inch machete at which point I thought better and let the bike go. I’m pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip but tomorrow is another day."
As well as the hip injury, Richardson also shared photos of some nasty cuts and bruises to his knee sustained in the fall.
The road racer, who rides professionally for the Belgium-based Alpecin-Fenix team, also highlighted the growing problem of bike thefts in the capital, which have been on the rise during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Please be careful in the area and note this is becoming a common occurrence in parts of London," he said.
"The police have taken their notes down as armed robbery and hopefully the criminals are found. Please raise awareness.
"At least I got most of the ride in even if no file to show for it! Once again the wife to the rescue to pick me up."
Police confirmed they were called to the incident and an investigation was ongoing, but no arrests had been made.
"Officers attended and it was reported that a man had been assaulted by a group of men who stole his bike," a spokeswoman said.
"He did not require hospital treatment. They carried out a search of the area but found no trace of the suspects."
