Reportedly, 6 bikes got stolen overnight from T1 in Ironman Copenhagen. I wonder if IM will take full responsability. At least they managed to arrange replacement bikes, but never properly fitted. Will owners be compensated for having to buy a new bike?
Article in Dutch: https://3athlon.nl/dieven-stelen-in-nacht-voor-ironman-kopenhagen-zes-fietsen-uit-wisselzone-dit-had-nooit-mogen-gebeuren/
I scanned but not far down enough. Please delete this thread. 
I’m surprised this doesn’t happen more often.
That’s terrible!!! I did IM Copenhagen in 2018. The city in general felt very safe even down by the swim start and transition. Having raced Ironman branded events in Europe, US, Canada and the Caribbean (twice) I have never heard of bikes being stolen in transition overnight. I’ve heard of athletes having things stolen in transition like bike computers. But this is really surprising and awful. I hope Ironman does right by the athletes who lost their bikes.
I had a Garmin 530 stolen from T2 at Cozumel in 2021. I talked to two others reporting stolen bike computers. So at least 3 known instances in that short time (15 minutes maybe) while I was in T2 getting my bike. One of the other two happened in T1, guy came out of the water and no computer.
Obviously, not nearly as bad as losing your bike and night before the race. Seems like an inside job.
Ugh, that sucks too as those computers are so expensive. It’s so violating when people steal your stuff. Oddly enough I finally purchased a Garmin Edge 1050 (had a big discount code) for my gravel bike. I never used one on my triathlon bikes as I just used my Garmin watch looking at HR mostly. I guess I’m a bit old school. But always worried a bike computer was too easy to steal in transition. I wonder though if you could put a tracker in it nowadays? Like can I track my 1050 from my phone?
I do wonder about an inside job at IM Copenhagen. They hired a security team with guards and dogs and even had police patrolling that area. So seems like it would be very difficult for the average street criminal to get into transition and walk away with one bike, let alone 6 bikes. It sounds crazy. And really terrible at the same time. My bike is insured but geez, I would be so sad and upset if that happened to me. It’s a material possession but we put so much blood, sweat and tears into this sport, quite literally!
Happened to a friend at a US based IM event in the early 2000s. It was post-race though so at least they got to race.
IMUK 2006 - Top 3-4 pro bikes got nicked.
Salford World Cup around 2008 then after the age group race people put their bikes on their cars in the car park and went back to the prize giving. Of course after that loads of bikes had gone. 10 years later when they dredged the quay, all the bikes were there - had just been thrown in. Clearly very different between the two.
It happened with two Canyons at Ironman Hamburg 2022.
I know one of the athletes, both girls and hanged side by side. They came up in race morning and their spots were empty.
She had to race with a borrowed road bike and DNF’d. They were offered compensation and a slot for the following year afterwards but you never want it to happen after all the effort, travel…
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I wonder though if you could put a tracker in it nowadays? Like can I track my 1050 from my phone? [/quote]
I contacted Garmin to see if they could brick the 530 to make it useless to the thief. Unfortunately, they can’t. Just did a google search to see if there has been any changes in the almost 4 years since that happened. From the support pages:
Garmin® cannot remotely track, access, or disable lost devices. However, if your Garmin device is missing, there are a couple of things you can check to help locate it.
The help locate part is if if its on and connected to your phone only (maybe a known WiFi like your home too (not sure on that)).
Seems like they should be able to implement a feature to disable it when someone tries to reuse (could also have sell/gift transfer function in the connect app to facilitate legit new owners).
Anyone know how IM is handling the situation? Did they offer to replace the athletes bikes at full cost?
No news on this yet, but apparently in previous instances in other races IM barely refunded a fraction.
So, we’re required to rack our bikes in transition the day before the race and if they are stolen Ironman assumes no responsibility? That’s F’uped!
are you actually that shocked?
That’s sad and unfortunate.
As athletes, maybe we need to take some additional precautions when racking our bikes overnight. Seems like this story and recommendations for new people to the sport would be a good ST article. @rrheisler @E_DUB
Like what? IM guarantees on security, I already also have to worry about sabotage (for example I take out my Di2 battery overnight just in case), but then I’m not gonna rack the day before if this is something that can be pushed on the participant…
AirTags, bike locks, etc. Not leaving small, easily stolen, and valuable items in transition (bike computers).
I’m not gonna travel with a bike lock. It’s ridiculous. Yes I do only leave my bike without any accessory, but for example in certain locations they want you to also leave the helmet overnight (and they are pricey…). How am I gonna lock it?
This has to be high on the list of police investigation options.