Alexandar Richardson attacked by machete wielding gang

A machete wielding gang have attacked professional British cyclist Alexandar Richardson in Richmond Park.

Richardson, aged 31, was training in the park at 3pm today when he was rammed into by a motorbike going at 60kph carrying two men.

The cyclist was then carried a further 100 feet with his bike by a second motorcycle carrying two more men.

The attack took place 500 metres from the Colicci café near the East Sheen roundabout. Richardson was threatened with a 15-inch machete and had his expensive bike stolen by the four attackers.

The incident has been reported to the police who are currently searching for the four men.

In an Instagram post about the incident Richardson said: "pretty shocking experience today in Richmond Park.

"Was finishing training around 3pm when two motorbikes with 4 men and balaclavas started following me. I knew exactly they wanted to take me bike and started to think what the best thing I could do was.

"I turned around at east Sheen roundabout and started riding full speed to the café about 500 metres away. They simply rode one of the motorbikes into me at 60kph.

"I came off the bike and the first motor bike lost control. I held onto my bike however the second motor bike then dragged me and the bike along the floor for another 100 metres.

"After this they pulled out a 15-inch machete at which point, I thought better and let the bike go. I'm pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip bur tomorrow is another day.

"Please be careful in the area and note this is becoming a common occurrence in parts of London. The police have taken their notes down as armed robbery and hopefully the criminals are found.

"Please raise awareness. At least I got most of the ride in even if no file to show for it! Once Again my wife Chiara was to the rescue!"

Alexandar Richardson is a stock-broker turned professional cyclist, his most famous victory is a solo win the 2018 Lincoln Grand Prix and he currently rides for Alpecin-Fenix.

This is not the first time motor based robbery has been attempted in Richmond in recent memory.

In 2018 a group of robbers jumped from the backs of mopeds in Richmond streets in an attempt to steal from a petrified mother, who were fought off by nearby scaffolders.