HSI probes theft of Olympic gold medalist's competition cycles

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