Suspect arrested with suspicions of carrying out assault on Italian riders with a gun during training ride

Earlier this week a very dramatic episode has unfolded in Italy where a group of riders from the SC Padovani Polo Cherry Bank team was approached by a car on the road, who fired two shots towards the riders. The horrendous crime is going to lead to consequences, as a suspect has been arrested in relation to this incident. 

This happened during a train session that was taking place in Dolcè, and the incident was recorded on camera. No-one was injured, it's unclear whether the shots were targeted at the riders themselves or as a warning shot, but it was possible to see the leading riders in the group swerve. The driver then fled the scene at high speed, and did not appear to be a random occurence. 

"Suddenly, a dark-coloured car approached the riders on their bikes," a statement from the team explained. "The driver lowered the window and fired two shots at the athletes. The riders barely had time to duck in shock, and the vehicle immediately fled the scene without a track". It is one of the most notable episodes of reported violence against cyclists of a high level, although unfortunately, not an isolated one. No rider suffered injuries or crashed. 

RMC Sport has now reported that a suspect has been arrested with suspicion of carrying out the attack. This is a man, 25 years of age, who was motivated by hate for cyclists - something which looked clear from his actions earlier in the week. However the report also adds that it might have been blanks that were shot towards the riders, as a loaded fun was found at his home. It is likely that legal action and prison time will follow against the suspect, although thankfully, no riders were physically harmed as a result of the assault.