Pro cyclist Alex Richardson chased by machete-wielding thugs in London’s Richmond Park

Alex Richardson/Instagram
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A professional cyclist has described how masked, machete-wielding robbers on motorcycles ambushed him and grabbed his bike as he was training in London’s Richmond Park.

Alexandar Richardson, 31, said he won’t return to Richmond Park after he was chased by four attackers on two motorcycles who were trying to force him to hand over his bicycle on Thursday afternoon.

He rode off at speed to try to escape but the robbers caught up with him and he came off.

Mr Richardson desperately clung onto his £10,000 bike and was dragged up to 100 metres by one of the motorcycles. One of the robbers then threatened him with a 15 inch machete at which point he handed over his cycle.

The UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Fenix rider wrote on Instagram about his experience and posted a picture of his injuries.

Mr Richardson told the Standard he would not return to park after the dramatic robbery.

The father of two, who lives in south west London, described how his attackers circled him before grabbing his bike after a high speed chase.

Mr Richardson, who represented the cycle Team GB at the weekend and is off to France to race this weekend said: “I won’t go back there. I can’t afford for this to happen again. I saw them on their powerful motorcycles nod to each other and I knew I was in trouble.

“They saw I had a nice bike and they were committed to getting it. I don’t know what lengths they would have gone to but they could easily have said ‘this guy is not giving up, let’s slice him.’

“Luckily I’m used to physical injury, you just get up and get on with it. But I warn others it be very careful. My bike is by Specialized and is very distinctive. I’m hoping I can get it back.”

Police have collected CCTV from the area as inquiries continues.

Hundreds of cyclists every day head to Richmond Park which is used as popular bike training circuit. Mr Richardson has had a successful career in cycling winning the 2018 Lincoln Grand Prix and a stage of the Tour de la Mirabelle.

A police spokesman said: “Police were called at 1601hrs on Thursday to reports of a robbery in Richmond Park.

“Officers attended and it was reported that a man had been assaulted by a group of men who stole his bike. He did not require hospital treatment. They carried out a search of the area but found no trace of the suspects. Officers took an initial statement. Enquiries continue. No arrests have been made.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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