Cycling South Africa appeals to all cyclists to remain vigilant at all times following an attack on a Danish cyclist at the Voortrekker Monument on Friday.
A 19-year-old member of the Danish National Mountain Bike team was attacked and robbed of her bicycle by two men while she was training for the 2015 Stihl SA Mountain Bike Championships, taking place at the monument on Saturday.
The cycling body said it sharply condemns such violence. “The athlete, although traumatised by the incident, remained unharmed. Although the area in which the event is taking place has a perimeter game fence with security guards who patrol the area, criminals will always endeavour to take the opportunity,” said the cycling body in a statement.
According to the Danish team’s publicist, Affinity Strategic Communication, the team was practicing on Friday evening for the second round of the championships.
“The rider, whose name cannot be mentioned for her own protection, was on the track with her teammates and their coach, preparing for the championships when two men attacked her. One pinned her to the ground while the other rode away with her bicycle,” said strategic communication manager Phillip van Heerden.
Cycling SA said a police helicopter was deployed and one of the robbers was apprehended on the property. “Additional security has been deployed for official training and race day. Cycling SA wishes the Danish team, and all of our athletes, every success for the weekend’s racing.”
Read: Danish cyclist attacked and robbed at Voortrekker Monument
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