LIVES were 'put at risk' on the Challenge Weymouth triathlon course as vandals sabotaged the route in a ‘planned and premeditated’ act.

Following a successful first year, Challenge Weymouth returned to the town last weekend, playing host to the ETU European Long Distance Championships.

From 7am, thousands of competitors pushed themselves to the limit with a two-lap 3.8km swim in Weymouth Bay, a 180km bike course through the Dorset countryside and a four-lap 42.2km run along Weymouth Esplanade.

The event was broadcast in a one-hour TV programme televised by Channel 4, Sky Sports and Euro Sports.

But speaking to the Echo, Challenge Weymouth race director Alan Rose confirmed the bike course had been the ‘victim of some serious sabotage’ between 2am and 5am on the morning of the race.

He said: “On the Ridgeway climb, there was a strip of carpet the cyclists biked up and loads of sand, covering what was a deliberate oil spread across the road.

“This was not a simple oil spill; it was premeditated as the oil covered the whole width of the road and measured 20 metres long.

“This created an extremely hazardous situation and became a major safety concern for all of our cyclists.”

Mr Rose said during the same timeframe, 35 metal road closure signs were stolen and 25 route direction arrows tied to lampposts were also removed from the course. Temporary traffic lights were also tampered with and rendered inoperable.

He added: “With our athlete’s safety paramount, at this point we had to re-deploy many of our team to re-sign the route, contain the hazard and fix the traffic lights to ensure that all athletes had a safe cycle section of the course.

“The lives of the athletes were put at risk due to these actions. I’m certain this was a real minority group trying to spoil the enjoyment of the day and public safety.

“None of our athletes knew anything had been sabotaged but I wanted to apologise. "Thank you to everybody in Weymouth who supported us and helped welcome the athletes with a great atmosphere.

“Everybody involved was superb and ensured that nothing hindered the race.

“Our priority always has been, and always will be, the safety of all athletes taking part in any of our events.”

Mr Rose also confirmed that each of the two laps for the half distance run course should have been 2k shorter than the full distance, making the turnaround point 1k closer to Weymouth from the first feed station.

Dorset Police said they were alerted to reports of an oil spill on the old Ridgeway hill in Weymouth at 7.44am on Sunday.

Damage to temporary traffic signals in Puddletown and the removal of signs along the race course were also reported to police.

RACE director Alan Rose posted on the Challenge Weymouth Facebook page announcing the vandalism and apologising for the varied run course.

His post was followed by messages of support from the Weymouth community and further afield, who said Challenge Weymouth was ‘not just a challenge for the competitors’.

Helen Cooper of Bury St Edmunds said she was ‘appalled by the attitude’ of others, while Yvette Kershaw said: “It’s sadly not news to hear that people can be selfish, blinkered and downright dangerous in their stupidity.”

Weymouth resident Phillip Cole said: “Challenge Weymouth is very good for the economy, bringing in athletes and their families who stay in the local area. 

“The event is also on TV globally yet some people want to endanger the safety of athletes taking part. The oil spill on the Ridgeway has put people’s safety at risk on a very popular cycle route between Dorchester and Weymouth.”

Others praised the Challenge Weymouth event and the atmosphere it brought to the town. 

Many people said they hoped the triathlon would once again be held in Weymouth next year.