Motocross champions from Devon 'devastated' after bike thefts
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Two British motocross champions from Devon say they are "absolutely devastated" after the theft of specialised electric racing motorbikes worth £50,000.
Four bikes were taken early on Monday during a burglary at a home in Newton Abbot, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
They belonged to Beanie Reece, 17, and Isaac Ash, 16, who had been due to race them at a major event in January.
A £5,000 reward has been offered for their safe return.
'We are begging'
Beanie, who is a British motocross youth champion, said racing was her "whole life" and she was desperate to get the bikes back.
"We are begging to get these bikes back," she said.
"I've seen how hard my dad has worked, how hard I've worked, to get these bikes to where they are.
"For somebody to take them overnight is absolutely devastating, and to feel unsafe in your own home is a horrible feeling.
"It's our lives and it feels like that's been taken away from us."
The Sur-Ron fully electric bikes were described as "one-of-a-kind" due to their level of customisation. Three bikes are green, black and pink, and one bike is red.
Beanie said: "Nobody else in the country has these bikes.
"They have parts on them that you cannot buy, so if you see parts for sale that are too good to be true, they are our bikes."
'Our pride and joy'
Isaac, who won the British electric championship title, said their theft meant they could not train for or participate in the Arenacross series in Belfast in mid-January.
"They are our pride and our joy... and now they're gone," he said.
"It's just not a nice feeling."
Mark Reece, who is Beanie's father and team manager, said he had spent about a year testing and developing specialist parts for the bikes ahead of the tour.
"I don't think the thieves know exactly what the bikes are, but to us they are everything," he said.
"For our two young riders, it's the opportunity for them to go out into the Arenacross series to prove how good the bikes are and how good they are as riders.
"It's very, very sad and we just want them back."
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed the bikes were stolen between 22:15 GMT on Monday and 1:00 on Tuesday.
It urged anyone with information to get in touch with them or Crimestoppers, external.
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