BOISE, Idaho - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is investigating the theft of two specialized competition bicycles belonging to Olympic Gold Medalist Kristin Armstrong. The bicycles are believed to have been stolen while in transit from Germany to Idaho.
The theft was reported yesterday to U.S. Customs and Border Protection after Armstrong's husband opened the imported bike cases, only to find them empty. HSI special agents were called in to investigate.
In a statement released Tuesday by Exergy TWENTY12, Armstrong said: "The bikes mean so much to me. My TT bike is a symbol of all the hard work that has been put in to this journey. It is sad to think that somebody out there has taken this away from me and my family."
Armstrong's Olympic Gold medal winning Felt DA Time Trial Bike and her Felt F1 Road Bike - both SRAM and Zipp equipped - had been on display at Eurobike in Friedrichshafen, Germany, from Aug. 29 to Sept. 1. The bikes were packaged and shipped by courier back to the United States Sept. 7, departing Bremen, Germany, to Frankfurt, Germany, and on to Atlanta for the final leg of the journey to Boise, via Salt Lake City.
According to the team, the replacement cost for both bikes is estimated at over $20,000.
Exergy Development Group, Armstrong's team sponsor, has stated it is offering a "substantial award for the return or knowledge of the whereabouts of these bikes."
HSI special agents in the U.S. and Germany are investigating. Anyone with information about this case should contact the HSI Tip-Line (24 hours a day) at 866-347-2423 (from U.S., Mexico, Canada), 1-802-872-6199 (from any country in the world) or online at http://www.ice.gov/tips.
HSI combats worldwide criminal enterprises who seek to exploit America's legitimate trade, travel and financial systems and enforces America's customs and immigration laws at and beyond our nation's borders.
Bike Descriptions
* Felt DA Time Trial Bike
Frameset: Felt DA1 51cm, Custom Kristin Armstrong/USA Paint Scheme Group: SRAM RED 2012 Cranks: SRAM BB30 w/SRM Powermeter Chainrings: SRAM TT 54/42 Aerobars: Zipp VukaBull Basebar with Carbon Race Vuka Shift Extensions TT Shifters: SRAM 900 TT Shift Cables: Gore Ride-On Ultra Light Brake Cables: Gore Ride-on Front Wheel: Zipp 808 Firecrest Tubular Rear Wheel: Zipp Super-9 Disc Tubular Tires: Vittoria Crono 22mm Saddle: fi'zi:k Ares TT Specific Pedals/Cleats: Speedplay Nanogram Zero (not with stolen bike - only thing that made it back to Boise)
Other:
K-EDGE Pro Chain Catcher Kristin Armstrong name on top tube
* Felt F1 Road Bike
Frameset: Felt F1 54cm, Custom Kristin Armstrong Paint Scheme Group: SRAM RED 2012 Cranks: SRAM RED w/SRM Powermeter Bottom Bracket: SRAM Red GXP Ceramic Bearings Chainrings: SRAM Red 50/34 Cassette: SRAM RED 2012 11-26T Stem: Zipp Service Course SL 110mm Bars: Zipp Service Course CSL 42cm Shift Cables: Gore Ride-On Wheels: Zipp 404 Firecrest Tubular Tires: Vittoria Corsa CX Saddle: fi'zi:k Antares Pedals/Cleats: Speedplay Nanogram Zero Other:
K-EDGE Pro Chain Catcher K-EDGE Number Holder Arundel Carbon Bottle Cage
Photos
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Photo credit:
Bikes - Joe Savola KA Race - AP
