More than €1 million (£832,000/US$1.36 million) worth of gear, including 111 Merida frames, was stolen in a burglary at WorldTour team Lampre-Merida's head quarters near Milan in Italy.
A team car and truck were also stolen in the raid, said the squad. The bikes –Warp TT bikes, Reacto Evos, Scultura Evos and Ride Pro Team bikes – were painted in the characteristic blue and fuschia of the Italian squad, ready to be issued to riders at the December training camp.
Beside the frames, Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupsets, Fulcrum wheels, Rotor power cranks and Garmin computers were also taken.
Lampre said the thieves broke in through a window, disabled the alarm, telephone and internet connection before clearing the warehouse last weekend, between 23 and 25 November.
The team said it was hopeful of recovering most of the equipment because it is personalised to the team.
They are appealing for information, which can be given by emailing team@teamlampremerida.com.
