Cycling hero Thomas’ Tour trophy stolen
GERAINT Thomas is pleading for the return of his Tour de France trophy after it was stolen from a cycling show in Birmingham.
Police in the Midlands are investigating the theft of the prestigious Coupe Omniports from The Cycle Show at the NEC.
Organisers discovered the trophy – which has been presented to the winner in Paris since the 1970s – was missing at the end of the threeday show after Thomas’ Team Sky loaned the silverware to Italian bike manufacturer Pinarello.
Sky say the trophy was stolen after being momentarily left unattended while the display was packed up at the end of the event.
The matter is now the subject of a police investigation.
The 32-year-old Welshman, who was given an idol’s welcome in Cardiff after his Tour triumph, is due to receive a replica of the original trophy as a permanent keepsake next year.
But Thomas, a former pupil at Whitchurch High School, admits the theft of the hand-made trophy is “incredibly unfortunate”.
“It goes without saying, the trophy is of pretty limited value to whoever took it, but it means a lot to me and the team,” he said.
“What matters most are the amazing memories of an incredible summer, and no-one can take those away from me.
“But a trophy is important, and hopefully whoever took it will have the good grace to return it.”
Team Sky loaned all three Grand Tour trophies – won by Thomas and Chris Froome at the Vuelta, Giro and Le Tour – to Pinarello.
The Coupe Omnisports was the only one that went missing and has still not been tracked down.
Richard Hemington, UK managing director of Pinarello, said: “We are obviously devastated about this.
“We accept full responsibility and have personally apologised to Geraint.
“Obviously we hope the trophy can be recovered.”
Thomas signed a new four-year deal with Team Sky last month after his maiden Grand Tour triumph.
He is currently favourite to win this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.
According to Ladbrokes, he is 6/4 to clinch the prize, with England football captain Harry Kane on 3/1, Formula One drivers’ championship leader Lewis Hamilton at 8/1 and retired England cricket captain Alastair Cook on 10/1.
The show will be broadcast live from Birmingham on Sunday, December 16, in front of a live audience of 12,000 people and a TV audience of millions.
The contenders for the accolade – which will be subject to a public vote, and which was won by Mo Farah last year – will be revealed on the night of the show.