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Kiwi World Champion's bike stolen |
 Sep 28th, 09. World Champion Alison Shanks' Avanti Pista track bike was stolen from a Christchurch outdoor expo on Friday morning.
Alison Shanks and the now stolen Avanti Pista track bike (c)William Booth / Photosport
The bike, worth approximately $15,000, was stolen from The NZ Outdoor Adventure Expo at Pioneer Leisure Centre. It disappeared some stage early on Friday morning during the set-up for the event. Shanks had loaned the bike, and her replica World Champion jersey, to BikeNZ for their stall. "Obviously I'm really gutted and disappointed that it's gone missing," Shanks told RoadCycling.co.nz this morning. "The bike is no real use to anyone, as it is a specific pursuit racing bike so the only place it's any good is racing round the Invercargill velodrome." "The bike is specific to me and there are parts, especially the custom handle bars that can't be replaced. With track camp starting Sunday I really need it back. Hopefully someone will find it and realise that it's no use to them and drop it at a bike shop or something. No questions asked." Mark Elliott, BikeNZ's High Performance Director reiterated Shanks' remarks, "Equipment like this is so specific for the rider, so it's very disappointing," he said. "The bike is completely useless for anyone else. It is a purpose built track bike and made specifically for Alison. It's not as if anyone can sell it or use it. And the handlebars are also manufactured just for her - they are irreplaceable." "We have world-leading track bike designers in New Zealand and it's great to have their products seen close up by the public. It is very important equipment and here's hoping whoever took it has the sense to just drop it back at a bike shop in the city." "The loss is also at a critical time for Shanks with the UCI World Cup season only five weeks away. BikeNZ is holding its first major training camp at the ILT Velodrome in Invercargill next week which is a vital part of her preparation," said Elliott. Shanks is in good company, Lance Armstrong also had a race bike stolen earlier this year. His bike was later found / returned with police help. We hope Shanks' bike is also returned, undamaged and quickly.
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