"We might need to hire security guards" - Lidl-Trek boss urges to find a solution to stop thief raids at team buses

Lidl-Trek was among the teams to have sympathy for Visma | Lease a Bike when 18 race bicycles were stolen from their team bus before Vuelta a Espana stage 3. Along with Movistar, the American team was ready to help the Dutch within their own capacity to make it to the start that day. After all, it could happen to any team at any moment.

"We saw the massive damage the thieves had caused, so we immediately told Visma | Lease a Bike that whatever they needed, we were ready to help," Lidl-Trek boss Luca Guercilena told IDLProCycling.

"Whether it was bikes, groupsets, helmets, or mechanics… anything necessary to be ready for Stage three. I also helped translate for the police and detectives to help speed up the process a bit. It’s about mutual respect between teams. We know how difficult it is to wake up and find your truck completely emptied."

"I think we’re getting to a point where we’ll need to hire real security guards at night, physical security. Now that so many teams are staying in the same hotels, the damage can be huge, especially with equipment becoming more and more valuable."

According to the Italian, their Dutch rivals were unlucky that night to be the first in the line of fire. "They were a bit unfortunate with how they had to park their trucks at the hotel. We were able to block the back doors of our trucks with a car, but that wasn’t possible where Visma’s truck was parked. I’m sure they would’ve done the same if the layout had allowed it. Maybe things would have turned out differently."

"We are dealing with organised crime here, we’re not talking about people just snooping around. During winter training camps in Calpe, we hire security guards. But during stage races, we bring around fifty bikes, including time trial bikes. Not all of that can be stored inside the hotel. And that’s just the bikes. There’s so much more equipment that’s incredibly valuable. We really need to find a solution."