TEENAGE West Fife cycle star Joe Nally has had two of his race-winning bikes stolen during a horrifying early hours hotel raid.

The talented 16-year-old, who has been selected by British Cycling to represent their junior academy during 2015-2016, had both his track and road bike taken by three masked men carrying baseball bats during an overnight stop near Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, at around 3am on Saturday.

The Charlestown rider was on his way to Manchester to race after competing in the Six-Day London cycling event when the raid took place, and the thefts left him facing the prospect of being without a bike for his first day with the British Academy on Wednesday. But a social media funding campaign, started by Fife Council’s cycling development officer Kirsteen Torrance, saw more than £1,600 raised towards the costs of new equipment in just three days as offers to borrow bikes also flooded in for the youngster.

Joe, who this year claimed a bronze medal at the British Cycling National Youth and Junior Track Championship, and dad Mick were staying in a Travelodge near Burton when the thugs struck at around 3am.

They used cutting equipment to release the bikes, on which he has achieved a host of national records and titles, from steel chains attaching them to Mick’s vehicle that was parked yards from the hotel’s reception.

A receptionist who confronted the men was threatened with the baseball bats before he returned inside and called the police, who arrived shortly after the men escaped. Joe’s mum Ruth Downie said: “I was at home and I picked up a message from Mick at around 8am, which he had sent at 4am. My heart sank.

"They obviously came specifically for the bikes and what is scary for me as his mum is that they were more than likely followed to where they were staying. It’s frightening and it doesn’t bear thinking about what could’ve happened to the young lad on reception who challenged them.

“The police were very quick to arrive and got there within two minutes but missed the guys who did it. Joe was obviously in disbelief and shock and was very upset when he got home.

"He’s had his road bike for two years, which was set up specifically for him, and he achieved national records on his track bike. The frame for that came from the John Carswell Trust from his school so it had particular sentimental value.

"When you use your bikes as much as Joe does, then you get attached to them but although I don’t expect him to get them back, I got him to post the details on Facebook as the details can get around the country quickly so people can look out for them.”

Within hours of finding out about Joe’s plight, an online campaign was launched by Kirsteen to get him back on his bike and within days the staggering four-figure sum – which continues to rise – had been raised.

Ruth continued: “Half an hour after posting about his bike, he had an offer to borrow a bike and the power of social media has been incredible.

"We were out on Sunday and when we came back we found Kirsteen had set up the Go Get Funding page. The fact he’s had so many messages, even from people he doesn’t know, has been really touching.

“It’s not going to be solved immediately but he has been able to borrow a track bike and put road tyres on an old cyclocross bike to go to Manchester for the academy with but people’ have been so incredibly generous with their offers of time, money and equipment. It’s quite humbling.”

Kirsteen added: “I know Joe and his family well and news like this just scunners you. He’s a young lad who’s worked so hard to get where he is, and the success that he has had already is just phenomenal. People do want to help and I just felt I wanted to do something.”

To donate, visit http://gogetfunding.com/get-joe-back-on-his-bike/, or pop into Hardie Bikes, Cairneyhill.