Stolen ISDE bike forces retirement

[totalmotorcycle]

Stolen ISDE bike forces retirement
Monday, November 13, 2006 - Motorcycling Australia - ma.org.au



Vaclav Danek is out of the 2006 International Six Days Enduro (ISDE), based at the Taupo Motorsport Park. The ISDE will be held in and around Taupo from November 14 – 19, and features 31 competing nations.

The Czech Republic rider had his uninsured Husaberg 450T motorcycle stolen from a well hidden but unlocked garage at his Taupo motel around 4.00am, Sunday morning. Fame number VBKHUA4046M314838. Danek was set to ride for the well organised Motoklub Jiretin Mitas team.

Jan Vesely’s KTM 525 4T was also stolen, however this was discovered hidden in nearby bushes at 5.30am by a local DOC worker. The KTM was ridden away from the scene but ran out of fuel.

Danek, 47, said he put all of his savings into buying the bike and flying out to NZ to compete in his second ISDE.

He has now run out of time to find a replacement ISDE bike for the event and said the loss has forced his retirement from the ISDE, and will likely end his career.

“I didn’t have a thought [to lock the garage] because it is New Zealand, which I thought was a famous, safe country. I was hoping my bike could be found, as with the first one. I was looking forward to the races as I could see New Zealand has good tracks,” Danek said, who is departing NZ on November 20.

The Czech Republic had their 40’ container held up at the wharf, arriving late last week, causing the team to postpone official ISDE technical inspection from Thursday to Sunday morning. If the container had not been delayed, Danek’s machine would have been in Parc Ferme.

Taupo Police are investigating the theft.