Police investigate after Vingegaard’s team suffer bike thefts at Vuelta

On the morning after Jonas Vingegaard took the leader’s red jersey at the Vuelta a España with a stage win in northern Italy, he lost a teammate and his team lost some bicycles that were stolen.

Team Visma-Lease a Bike said police in Italy are investigating the theft of “several bikes” from an equipment truck though it was unclear if Vingegaard will be affected in stage three later on Monday.

“Last night, our mechanics’ truck was broken into and several bikes were stolen,” said the team in a statement. “Our mechanics are working hard to ensure that the team is fully prepared for the third stage. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.”

Vingegaard will be missing the support of Axel Zingle for the remainder of the Vuelta, with the French cyclist having crashed in the rain-soaked stage on Sunday that also caught up the team leader. Vingegaard went on to win with a bloodied elbow, but an injury sustained in the crash has forced Zingle to abandon the race.

Visma said: “Our medical team had to decide that Axel Zingle is not fit enough to continue the Vuelta. His first Grand Tour with the team comes to an early end.”

Monday’s third stage is a 134.6km (83.6-mile) ride with an uphill finish into Ceres in the Italian Alps north-west of Turin.