Visma-Lease a Bike confirmed the theft via social media, saying that police had launched an investigation.
18 bikes were allegedly stolen, according to Tuttobicisport, with an estimated value of no less than € 250.000, and the squad could be forced to borrow spare parts or bikes in order for their riders to participate in the third stage of the prestigious race.
According to Italian reports, thieves forced their way into the squad’s mechanics’ truck in Turin with a pickaxe and stole the majority of their Cervélo bikes.
“Last night, our mechanics’ truck was broken into and several bikes were stolen,” Visma confirmed in a statement on Monday morning.
“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.”
Criminals attracted by the high value of top-of-the-range bikes have increasingly targeted professional teams over the past years.
At this year’s Tour de France, Cofidis were at the center of a major break-in when 11 of the team’s Look 795 Blade RS bikes, totalling £125,000, were stolen.
At the 2024 Tour, the French team TotalEnergies were victims of a similar raid, when they lost 11 Enve bikes.
Vingegaard will start the third stage of the Vuelta a Espana in the red jersey after he won the second stage climb to Limone Piemonte.