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| Nantymoel drawing pin cycling saboteur hunted | Nantymoel drawing pin cycling saboteur hunted |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| A saboteur is being hunted by police after leaving hundreds of drawing pins on a cycle race route, puncturing the tyres of more than 70 bikes. | A saboteur is being hunted by police after leaving hundreds of drawing pins on a cycle race route, puncturing the tyres of more than 70 bikes. |
| The vandal dropped the tacks painted black on a downhill stretch of road near Nantymoel, Bridgend county, just before a hairpin bend. | The vandal dropped the tacks painted black on a downhill stretch of road near Nantymoel, Bridgend county, just before a hairpin bend. |
| Cyclists were racing at speeds of over 40mph (70kmph) during the Valleys Velo Sportive. | |
| Angry competitors said the act could have badly injured or killed someone. | Angry competitors said the act could have badly injured or killed someone. |
| Cyclist Richard Manning, 46, said: "I only hope that the culprits are caught and that their punishment is enough to dissuade others from this. | Cyclist Richard Manning, 46, said: "I only hope that the culprits are caught and that their punishment is enough to dissuade others from this. |
| "The placement of these drawing pins on a really fast descent, just before a hairpin bend can only lead to the conclusion that the saboteur was hoping to cause serious injury - or even death. | "The placement of these drawing pins on a really fast descent, just before a hairpin bend can only lead to the conclusion that the saboteur was hoping to cause serious injury - or even death. |
| "Add to this painting them black to camouflage them on the road shows a level of planning I find deeply distressing." | "Add to this painting them black to camouflage them on the road shows a level of planning I find deeply distressing." |
| The saboteur spread the drawing pins on a "fast descent" just before a 180 degree hairpin bend. | The saboteur spread the drawing pins on a "fast descent" just before a 180 degree hairpin bend. |
| More than 70 racers had their inner tubes puncture by the spikes although no-one is thought to have been injured during the competition last Sunday. | |
| 'Training and effort' | 'Training and effort' |
| Event marshals swept the course and most of the riders were able to finish the sportive. | |
| Rider Gary Dawes added: "Black painted drawing pins scattered as sabotage on a fast descent is nothing less than attempted murder." | Rider Gary Dawes added: "Black painted drawing pins scattered as sabotage on a fast descent is nothing less than attempted murder." |
| Police are working with race organisers to investigate. | Police are working with race organisers to investigate. |
| Organiser Jamie Rowland said: "I couldn't believe it when I first received the call to say what was happening. | Organiser Jamie Rowland said: "I couldn't believe it when I first received the call to say what was happening. |
| "My heart sunk thinking of the riders and their safety who were unfortunately caught up in the unfolding events, all their training and effort undone by some mindless idiot." | "My heart sunk thinking of the riders and their safety who were unfortunately caught up in the unfolding events, all their training and effort undone by some mindless idiot." |