Theft threatens Sheffield-based superbike team's season Published duration 11 March 2016

image copyright South Yorkshire Police image caption Thieves stole a Kawasaki ZX-6R (left) and two Kawasaki ZX-10Rs from the workshop in Sheffield. The ZX-6R was later recovered.

A British Superbike team's season is under threat after thieves stole three motorbikes worth more than £250,000.

Team WD40's workshop in Derbyshire Lane, Sheffield, was broken into at about 04:30 GMT.

Two Kawasaki ZX-10Rs, due to be ridden by Jack Kennedy and Sam Hornsey, and a Kawasaki ZX-6R were taken. The ZX-6R was later recovered nearby.

Owner Brent Gladwin said the team faced a "difficult situation" with the new season due to start next month.

He said: "We were looking forward to a brilliant year of racing. The bikes are far from easily replaceable. It's a difficult situation to rebuild them in time for the first race."

He said the team are offering a £10,000 reward for information which leads to the recovery of the two bikes.

South Yorkshire Police have appealed for anyone with any information to come forward.