Geraint Thomas' Tour de France trophy stolen during UK tour
The Team Sky cyclist says he hopes whoever took it "will have the聽good grace to return it" as it "means a lot to me and the Team".
Wednesday 10 October 2018 16:57, UK
Geraint Thomas' Tour de France trophy has been stolen from the NEC during a nationwide tour.
The prize was taken last month while Team Sky was displaying the three Grand Tour trophies, the Giro d'Italia, the Vuelta a Espana and the Tour de France, around the UK.
West Midlands Police said they were contacted on 2 October to report the theft of a trophy from the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, sometime between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Sunday 30 September.
News of the theft only became public on Wednesday, more than a week later.
Team Sky said in a statement: "The trophies were loaned to Pinarello (Team Sky's bike supplier) for the recent Cycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
"Regrettably, during the clear-up operation at the end of the event, Geraint Thomas' Tour de France trophy was momentarily left unattended and stolen," it added.
"The matter is obviously now subject to a police investigation. In the meantime, Team Sky are liaising with all relevant parties to agree on the best course of action to resolve the issue."
Geraint Thomas said: "It is incredibly unfortunate that this has happened. It goes without saying that the trophy is of pretty limited value to whoever took it, but means a lot to me and to the Team.
"Hopefully whoever took it will have the good grace to return it. A trophy is important, but clearly what matters most are the amazing memories from this incredible summer - and no one can ever take those away," he added.
The team tweeted a link to its statement on Wednesday morning.
Richard Hemington, Managing Director of Pinarello (UK) said: "We are obviously devastated about this. We accept full responsibility and have personally apologised to Geraint. Obviously we all hope that the trophy can be recovered."
The Welshman's win in France in July was the first Grand Tour success of his 12-year career and he signed a new four-year deal with Team Sky in September.
He is set to be given a replica of the trophy next year as a permanent reminder of his success this summer.