Bike given to Czech rider

Heartbreak was followed by a heart-warming Kiwi gesture for Czech Republic rider Vaclav Danek.

The 47-year-old enduro rider arrived in Taupo last week for the International Six Day Enduro (ISDE) and spent a small fortune getting his bike halfway round the world for the gut busting race.

The event is the world pinnacle for off road motorcycle endurance racing teams. But his dreams were shattered on Sunday morning when thieves took his blue and yellow Husaberg 450T bike and a fellow team-member's bike from a Taupo Motel.

The team-mate's bike has been recovered but Danek's has not.

The news shocked New Zealand junior team-member Karl Power and spurred him into action.

"I was pretty gutted for him. He's come halfway round the world and I'm not proud of what happened," the 21-year-old from Hamilton said.

"I had a spare bike my pit crew were going to use [for spares] on my bike but this guy needed it more than me."

An added bonus was it was the same type of bike that had been stolen.

Power asked officials if the loan would be acceptable and was given the thumbs up.



"He'll have a lot of work to do. He will have to strip it down and rebuild it so I hope he gets it ready for the race."

Power handed over the bike to his fellow competitor at 9am yesterday less than 24 hours before the first rider rolled out on to the first stage.

"He doesn't speak fluent English but his interpreter said he was overwhelmed and grateful. Being the same sort of bike it will feel like home."

Power said it would be easier for him to source spares from fellow riders.

He will join Rotorua's Michael Phillips in the New Zealand junior team.

Competitors will ride up to seven hours each day and will cover 1600km during the race.

* The first rider was scheduled to leave Taupo Motorsport Park at 7am today. The action continues every day of the week including Sunday.