A CYCLE-cross racer who had four machines stolen from him during national competitions in Bradford last weekend says he will continue to come to the city to race despite the thefts.

Harvey Levann, from Leicester, lost bikes worth more than £10,000 – three Ridley racing bikes and a purple Trek mountain bike – during the British Cycling National Cycle-Cross Championships in Peel Park last weekend.

“I had all three of my cycle-cross bikes taken and my wife’s mountain bike. All were chained to the top of our car in Peel Park,” he said.

Mr Levann, 50, had removed the front wheels, which were in the car.

“They were heavy chained but someone had used bolt croppers,” he said. “There must have been 30 campervans parked in there on Saturday night but someone still managed to take them without being seen.

“Together they would have been worth around £10,000 and they are not what you would class as particularly expensive. I know some people whose bikes cost many thousands of pounds. Even youngsters are riding around on bikes worth a lot of money.”

Mr Levann was able to compete on Saturday but on Sunday faced the drive home without his machines.

He contacted the police about the theft on Sunday morning. A police spokesman confirmed a complaint had been received.

“I have been competing in cycling competitions since about the age of 13 and I am now 50,” said Mr Levann.

“In all that time, this is the first time I have had anything stolen but it won’t stop me coming back to Bradford.

“I’ve never had any problem with the bikes but I’m now thinking about buying a van so I can store them inside.”

He said he had been told someone else had also suffered a theft on the same night.