Robbery almost denies Patrice his chance at Cape Epic
His bicycle, valued at R140 000, was resold for as little as R400.
A violent attack by three suspects on Protea triathlete and member of Middelburg Cycling Club, Patrice Gautier, not only robbed him of his bicycle and wallet but also nearly denied him the chance of competing in the Cape Epic had it not been for the kindness of fellow cyclists.
Patrice was robbed on his way home from work in eMalahleni a week before the Cape Epic, which he had already entered.
Patrice works at Paxton Correctional Services, and cycles to and from work every day.
He was on his way home from work when he noticed three men standing near the speed bump at the Pap en Vleis Tavern, one with a broomstick in hand.
The suspects were standing separate from each other, which led him to believe they were cleaning the streets.
As he passed, one of the suspects attacked him with the broomstick, while the other proceeded to push him off his bicycle. They also stole his wallet, which contained all of his cards, driving licence and ID.
“Luckily my phone was in my cycling pocket and I could call my wife for assistance.”
With his bike, estimated to be valued at R140 000 including accessories, gone, Patrice wasn’t sure how he could partake in the Cape Epic.
Fellow cyclist Jaap Beyers, however, came to his rescue and loaned him his own bike, allowing Patrice to still take on the renowned event.
“I reported the robbery to the eMalahleni SAPS and they managed to get my bicycle back, as well as apprehended the three suspects.”
The thieves had gone to Pap en Vleis Tavern, where they sold his bike for R400.
When Patrice was reunited with his bicycle, he was surprised to find it without a scratch. Only his GPS cycling computer was gone.
Patrice said that the incident not only robbed him of his possessions, but also his freedom, because his wife refuses that he cycles to and from work now, “It’s just not safe anymore, and now I drive.”
That aside, Patrice is glad he got his bicycle back, meaning he won’t have to go through the expensive and time-consuming progress of acquiring a new one.
“I am also lucky for the help of my friends,” he concluded, adding that Gert Janse van Rensburg from GD Cycles also offered to lend him a bike for the Cape Epic.
