stealing his new $4,000 bike.

The theft meant Henry was unable to take part in a weekend cycling event.

But now, it seems, Henry's tyre-some ordeal may be coming to an end.

For The Royal Gazette understands the thief had a change of heart -- and has promised to return the bike.

Yesterday Henry soft-pedalled on the incident.

"I don't want any publicity,'' he said.

Henry was left in a spin after dropping into a grocery store in Middle Road, Smith's, last week.

He returned to find the Eddie Mercks titanium bike, distinctive by its black carbon forks and deep rimmed wheels, missing.

Said Bermuda Bicycle Association president Mr. Jeff Payne yesterday: "He was only in the store for about a minute or a minute and a half.'' He added he did not think the culprit knew what type of bike he had stolen.

Mr. Payne said the theft meant Henry could not participate at an event on Sunday.

And he said the association would be prepared to offer an award to help recover the bike, which Henry had bought very recently.

It is the second stroke of bad luck to have hit the Bermuda Grand Prix defending champion, said Mr. Payne.

Last year Henry was involved in a road accident which left him injured -- and his bike, also an Eddie Mercks, damaged beyond repair.