(Reuters) – A suspected arson attack destroyed the tour bus of the Aqua Blue Sport cycling team at the Vuelta a Espana in the southern Spanish city of Almeria.
A mattress had been placed underneath the bus in the early hours of Thursday and set alight, it said.
“Our team bus has been completely damaged in a cowardly arson attack over night. No one was injured. Police have arrested a suspect,” said a statement on the team’s Twitter account, showing images of the burned vehicle.
Our team bus has been completely damaged in a cowardly arson attack over night. No one was injured. Police have arrested a suspect. #LV2017 pic.twitter.com/SI1u449qO6
— Aqua Blue Sport (@AquaBlueSport) August 31, 2017
The team is competing in their first grand tour. They have vowed to continue racing and posted a picture of their riders on a different bus on their way to stage 12 with the message: “Nothing is going to stop us starting today’s La Vuelta stage. Thank you for all the support.”
#LV2017 Nothing is going to stop us starting today’s La Vuelta stage. Thank you for all the support. pic.twitter.com/A9xzf5mbni
— Aqua Blue Sport (@AquaBlueSport) August 31, 2017
A statement from Spain’s national police force said they had arrested a 55-year-old man who had allegedly caused four fires in Almeria, in the province of Andalusia.
Aqua Blue Sport team was founded this year by Cork-born millionaire Rick Delanry.
