A DAD's hopes of becoming a cycling champion have been dealt a cruel blow by thieves.

Neville Brennan's £1,000 road bicycle which he uses for training was taken from the garden of his home in Victoria Avenue, Whitefield, on Wednesday night. Thieves scaled a high fence to reach the limited edition Carrera Le Tour cycle which is one of only 300 made. Its disappearance came just 48 hours before the start of this weekend's National Track Championships at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Neville (33) has been track riding for the past five years and owns two specialist bicycles for use in indoor cycling competitions.

His wife, Margaret, said: "The theft of this bike is a blow. It is a limited edition and very hard to replace.

"Neville uses the bike for training and spends nearly two hours a day training to improve his stamina and performance."

The Brennans are offering a reward for the return of the bike which, is not insured.

Neville, who is a baker, will compete in this weekend's championship but his chances of entering the World Masters track event in October are certainly over unless his training bike is returned.

Margaret said: "Neville has not won any championships yet. His work prevents him from training hard. However, in a few years time we expect a championship medal." Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the bike can either contact the Brennans on 766 9799 or call Whitefield police on 872 5050.