A MOTOCROSS rider who is facing months out of the sport after breaking his back in a crash has been dealt another blow after the theft of his beloved motorbikes.

Three bikes and a raft of spare parts, estimated to be worth between £30,000 and £40,000, were taken from a garage in Maunsell Way, Wroughton, early on Friday morning.

The bikes were being stored by a relative of amateur motocross rider Kristofer Ayres, who was injured in a crash at the Foxhill Motocross Track last Saturday, April 11.

It was feared the 24-year-old, who lives in Cornwood Road, would not walk again after the incident, but his father, Chris, said staff at GWH said he had recovered some feeling in his legs and it was hoped he would make a ‘positive’ recovery.

However Chris, 48, of East Wichel Way, said his son was devastated to hear the news of the theft, which has dealt the family a fresh blow.

“We are all distraught,” Chris.

“They didn’t know if he would walk again but they have put pins and rods in, but he knows it will be a long road to recovery.

“We know it is a dangerous sport, the crash was no one’s fault, but this is just another blow.

“The bikes and all of his kit have gone. It’s everything he lives for. He doesn’t drink or smoke, all he does is train and ride his bikes.”

He said the incident happened at around 4am on Friday morning.

“I got a call (from the relative) at 4am saying ‘who is in the garage?’ and I immediately said, ‘call the police’,” Chris said.

“I was there in five minutes but they (the thieves) had gone.”

He said he thought the thieves had targeted two KTM 450s and a KTM 250.

He said: “Just one of the bikes weighed around 50 kilos and the stand it was on, 30 kilos, so it would have been hard to move.

"Nothing else in the garage was taken, so I think they knew what they were going for.

“The bikes are not insured because they’re motocross bikes and always suffer damage.”

Now, he said he hoped efforts by the motocross community to spread news of the thefts and the distinctive nature of the bikes, which all bear Kris’ racing number, 88, would lead to their recovery.

A police spokesman said: “Wiltshire Police were called at 4.26am on Friday to Maunsell Way in Wroughton, following a report that a garage had been broken into and three scrambler motorbikes, a generator, and other items had been stolen.

“Searches of the local area were carried out by officers. It is believed the thieves would have used a vehicle to remove the bikes from the garage.”

“Anyone who saw or heard any suspicious activity in the area between 3am and 4.30am should call PC Charles Campbell on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”