A Machete wielding gang attacked British cyclist Alexandar Richardson in Richmond Park yesterday afternoon.

31-year-old Richardson was training in the park at 3 pm, Thursday, 7 October when he was rammed into by two men on a motorbike.

The cyclist was then carried a further 100 feet with his bike by a second motorcycle carrying two more men.

The attack took place 500 metres from the Colicci café near the East Sheen Roundabout and resulted in Richardson being threatened with a 15-inch machete and having his expensive bike stolen by the 4 attackers.

The incident has been reported to the police who are currently searching for the 4 men.

The horrific attack on Richardson, first reported by Richmond Nub News, came just a day after a similar incident in the park, which saw balaclava-clad men on electric scooters rob a cyclist of his bike.

Twitter user @jam211191 posted on Thursday: "Yesterday around 7pm I was training in Richmond Park and 2 guys in electric scooters and balaclavas pushed me off my bike and took it,

"It's not a common bike to see. If you see a bike like that please contact @metpoliceuk. It's a Cannondale systemsix ultrega from 20221 frame number ending 20."

So far, no arrests have been made and the two stolen bikes are still missing.

Appeals for witnesses

The Royal Parks police are now appealing for witnesses to the two robberies.

They wrote in a tweet today: "On 07/10/21 at around 4pm a cyclist noticed a group of 4 males on motorbikes sat at Sheen Cross in #RichmondPark wearing balaclavas.

"He turned round and cycled towards Roehampton Gate when one of the motorbikes rammed him, forcing him onto the ground where he sustained injuries.

"He retained a grip of his bike when one of the riders produced a machete. They then rode away out of Roehampton Gate with his bike.

"Do you have dash cam footage or headcam footage of the riders sat at Sheen Cross? Any information, please call 101 & quote CAD Ref 5103/07Oct.

"Officers have been tasked to patrol the location of the offence."

They added: "On 06/10/21 at around 7pm, a cyclist was on Sawyers Hill in #RichmondPark when 2 males on e-scooters have approached.

"One of the males has pushed the cyclist before taking his bike & making off towards Richmond Gate. No weapons were seen, no injuries to the victim.

"The suspects were described as male wearing balaclavas and dressed in dark clothing. The bike is a red Cannondale, if you have any head-cam or dash-cam footage from around the time of the incident, please e-mail [email protected] & quote ref 0709961/21."

The terrifying ordeal - in Richardson's own words

In an Instagram post about the incident Richardson said: "pretty shocking experience today in Richmond Park.

"Was finishing training around 3pm when two motorbikes with 4 men and balaclavas started following me. I knew exactly they wanted to take me bike and started to think what the best thing I could do was.

"I turned around at east Sheen roundabout and started riding full speed to the café about 500 metres away. They simply rode one of the motorbikes into me at 60kph.

"I came off the bike and the first motor bike lost control. I held onto my bike however the second motor bike then dragged me and the bike along the floor for another 100 metres.

"After this they pulled out a 15-inch machete at which point, I thought better and let the bike go. I'm pretty cut up and bruised with a swollen hip but tomorrow is another day.

"Please be careful in the area and note this is becoming a common occurrence in parts of London. The police have taken their notes down as armed robbery and hopefully the criminals are found.

"Please raise awareness. At least I got most of the ride in even if no file to show for it! Once Again my wife Chiara was to the rescue!"

Alexandar Richardson is a stock-broker turned professional cyclist, his most famous victory is a solo win the 2018 Lincoln Grand Prix and he currently rides for Alpecin-Fenix.