An international women’s cycling team competing in the Tour of Britain has had more than £50,000 worth of bikes stolen.

The Lifeplus-Wahoo riders said all 14 of their Ribble Endurance SLR bikes were taken from their mechanic’s van as they slept at the Macdonald Hill Valley Hotel in Whitchurch, Shropshire.

West Mercia Police is investigating the thefts which happened between midnight and 05:00 BST.

The British team managed to start the second stage of the tour, which began in Wrexham at 11:15, having been loaned bikes by other teams.

Team manager Tom Varney told the BBC: “We had 14 bikes stolen, which would be half the fleet for the year.”

The lightweight carbon endurance bikes are thought to be worth in total about £55,000.

Mr Varney said the theft “looked professional”, but the team quickly moved forward after the initial shock.

“The girls had to make the best of a bad situation. They are pulling together, there is no moaning and they are doing what they can to achieve our goals,” he said.

Other teams in the race jumped in to help the team reach the start line.

“I reached out to the other team managers, and within five to 10 minutes I had offers of five, six, or seven bikes.”

Mr Varney said that other mechanics stepped in to help the riders set the bikes up.

“We’re riding other people’s bikes, but the girls are there and ready to fight,” he added.

Macdonald Hotels & Resorts said it was aware of the incident.

“As this is a police matter and investigations are ongoing, we are unable to comment further,” a spokesperson added.

The Tour of Britain is a four-stage cycling event, which began in Welshpool on Thursday, and finishes in Greater Manchester on Sunday.