TVP World<\/a>, the man was spotted by officers riding what looked like a brand-new, high-end Specialized. Given he was already known to police, that raised some eyebrows.<\/p>\nWhen officers signalled for him to stop, he did the opposite. He hit the gas. Full gas, as they would probably say there.<\/p>\n
Somehow, as he tried to shake the 5-0\u2026he darted onto the course of a local cycling race already underway. Not ideal. For anyone. The peloton suddenly had an uninvited guest, and not one sitting up and waving apologetically.<\/p>\n
Instead, he leaned into it.<\/p>\n
Oh if only there were cell footage<\/h2>\n
In scenes that feel somewhere between chaotic and, erm<\/em>, briefly impressive, the young criminal moved through the field and even got ahead of the peloton. For a moment\u2026an actual moment, he was riding among the leaders. Podium-adjacent, if you will. It was like something out of Mr. Bean or Just for Laughs. But in Poland.<\/p>\nThe cops later said his riding posed a danger to others on the course, which, yes, fair. This is not your standard breakaway tactic. (He prolly didn\u2019t have a helmet on, or a racing licence. And he for sure did not pay the reg fee.)<\/p>\n
Short story long: The move didn\u2019t stick. After a short pursuit, officers caught up with him, recovered the Specialized, worth around 10 k Canuck bucks, and even picked up some navigation gear he\u2019d ditched mid-escape. The bike had been purchased just two days earlier and was returned to its owner.<\/p>\n
As for the impromptu race leader, his result won\u2019t stand. He\u2019s been charged with theft and could face up to five years in prison.<\/p>\n
From solo move to jail time. Tough way to lose the sprint.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a lesson here, well a few. Number 1, don\u2019t steal bikes. Number 2, don\u2019t jump into races on said bike races. Number 3, see number 1. There\u2019s probably a Strava KOM joke here too, but we are serious journalists at Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em> and would never.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n