Champion cyclist Jay Sweet revealed as Aldinga stabbing victim

The victim of a violent stabbing at Aldinga Beach is a Commonwealth Games cycling gold medallist – with police now probing if the incident as linked to two firebomb attacks.

A man has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed at Aldinga Beach this afternoon. Emergency crews raced to Hamilton Road around 12.40pm, where the man was found with a knife still lodged in his hand. Picture: NINE NEWS

The victim of a brutal stabbing at Aldinga Beach on Monday can be revealed as Commonwealth Games cycling champion Jay Sweet.

Sweet, 48, was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his hand following an alleged assault at his Hamilton Rd residence while he was at a family barbecue.

Footage from Nine News showed the knife was still protruding from Sweet’s hand as he was being loaded into the ambulance.

Sweet was rushed to hospital after being stabbed at Aldinga Beach on Monday. Picture: NINE NEWS

Sweet is a former professional racing cyclist who won a gold medal in the 1998 games in Kuala Lumpur and also rode in the Tour de France.

Police and paramedics responded to reports of the assault on Hamilton Rd at around 12.40pm, with detectives surrounding the residence and police breaking down the door with a mallet and crowbar.

The people inside were assisting police with their inquiries, with cops still trying to determine who stabbed the man and for what reason.

The Advertiser understands police are investigating if the stabbing is linked to two firebombing incidents this week, one at Aldinga Beach and one at Old Reynella.

Police say they are investigating if there are bikie links to the stabbing and arson attacks.

The Advertiser understands police are probing whether the incidents are part of a turf war over the control of the southern suburbs drug market.

Neither Mr Sweet or his family are accused of any wrongdoing, nor do police allege they are involved in any bikie or drug activity.

Sweet took home gold at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Commonwealth Games champion Jay Sweet remains in a stable condition. Photo Sarah Reed

Sweet, who remains in a stable condition, retired from professional cycling in 2003 and moved to New Zealand.

In 2012, he returned to Adelaide and rode in the Tour of the Riverland in South Australia and finished 2nd in Stage 1.

At the peak of his career, Sweet was once considered the fastest sprint cyclist in the country.

Cycling superstars Robbie McEwen and Stuart O’Grady were two mates Sweet regularly beat in sprint battles during his career.

Sweet now runs a stone mason business called Sweet Stone, with its Facebook page saying it provides “construction of all types of stone work. Dry stack and wet walls. Real stone and artificial veneers”.