Team Sky’s Tour de France Trophy stolen at cycle show in Birmingham

The Tour de France trophy won by Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas was stolen during a cycle show in Birmingham, England, said the British team in a statement, reported Reuters, on Wednesday.

It was loaned to bike manufacturer Pinarello and was reportedly on display at different venues across the UK along with the team’s other grand tour titles, said a report from the news agency. But it was later picked up from the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham when it was left unattended.

“It is incredibly unfortunate that this has happened,” Thomas was quoted as saying in a statement. “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.”

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Pinarello managing director Richard Hemington, whose organisation was loaned the trophy, expressed his grief and said he was totally devastated by the theft.

“We accept full responsibility and have personally apologised to Geraint,” Hemington said quoted the agency. “We hope that the trophy can be recovered.”

Team Sky also informed in the statement that the police are currently investigating the matter and will discuss with all relevant parties before deciding on the course of action to resolve the issue.

The trophy was Tem Britain’s sixth Tour de France title in seven years and was also the fourth successive grand tour win for the team after Chris Froome had won the Tour at the Vuelta a Espana in 2017, before claiming the Giro d’Italia this year.

Image Source: The Week UK