Benidorm World Cup - Recon day sees mass bike theft, Shirin van Anrooij among victims of planned stealing

The Benidorm World Cup race will be a new and positive experience for many riders, however it started off on the wrong foot for Shirin van Anrooij. The Dutch rider, a big favourite for the women's race, had her bike stolen during yesterday's recon session.

As the riders did their recon today in the fast Spanish track, a group of robbers was reported to have been within the fans who enjoyed the show. It is said that five bikes were stolen all round, including the Dutch rider who has won the last two World Cups in Gavere and Zonhoven.

"A lot of people are walking around here in Benidorm: a mix of Flemish and Spanish cross enthusiasts. In the cyclists' village they ran off with one of our bicycles. Just behind our backs they stole one from Shirin van Anrooij," Baloise - Trek Lions manager Sven Nys told Sporza.

The events came as a shock, as Nys explains: "The bikes weren't parked against a wall somewhere. No, just against the campers where they are always lined up for a race. You can't do that inconspicuously. You'd be surprised how busy it is here for a reconnaissance."

The news come as a shock, and a negative note on a weekend that had thus far been successful. All 15.000 tickets for the event had been sold, and the presence of the 'big three' in the men's race - aswell as the three Dutch supertalents on the women's field - sees a very popular event in the Spanish sun.

"They just walk away with a bicycle between the public. You have to have guts for that. Frustrating and annoying, but luckily the riders have spare material. It is only hoped that we don't have to change too often during the races tomorrow," Nys concluded.

Van Anrooij has won her last three races and together with Puck Pieterse and Fem van Empel will be the main favourite to win tomorrow's race in the early afternoon.