The grieving father of the Finke Desert Race rider who lost his life during competition has thanked first responders who tried to save his son.
A competitor was riding the first leg of the race from Alice Springs to Aputula/Finke on Sunday when he crashed just after midday, Northern Territory Police said.
Police provided first aid until paramedics arrived but the rider died at the scene.
“I would like to thank everyone so far for their condolences with the passing of my son during the racing of the Tatts Finke Desert Race. Tough times ahead but we will be strong. Thank you all,” the rider’s father wrote on social media.
In a second post on the official social page of the race, the South Australian man also thanked attendees who played their part.
“As the father of the rider who passed, I would like to thank the campers who tried to revive my son at the crash as I’m sure it has affected them as well and not what they wanted with their Finke experience,” he said.
“As much as things are tough right now, it’s people like that that make the Finke experience. With a heavy heart I say thank you.”
The heartbroken father has been flooded with hundreds of messages of condolences, including from Australian off-road and enduro motorcycle racing world champion Toby Price.
Another well wisher said: “My heartfelt condolences to you and the rest of the family, friends and everyone affected by this tragic loss. In the midst of unimaginable pain, your gratitude towards those who tried to help speaks volumes about your strength and character. My thoughts are with you all during this incredibly difficult time.”
A crime scene was declared and crash detectives started preparing a report for the coroner after the incident.
Finke Desert Race NT Police Commander Michael Budge said the incident was a tragedy for all involved.
“Our thoughts are with the rider’s family, friends and all involved with the event at this difficult time,” he said.
Race authorities have extended their deepest sympathies and condolences to the rider’s family and friends and are providing ongoing support at both ends of the event route.
“The Finke Desert Race mourns the loss of a rider during Race Day 1,” their statement reads.
“A competitor died at the scene along the first half of the route from Alice Springs to Aputula/Finke.
“The committee are deeply saddened by this loss and extend their deepest sympathies and condolences to the rider’s family and friends.
“We ask all to respect the privacy of the family, friends and those who have been impacted by this incident.
“We appreciate the efforts of all emergency services, first respondents, officials and volunteers.
“The Finke Desert Race is providing ongoing support at both ends of the route.
“A police investigation is underway.”
The race resumed on Monday for the journey back to Alice Springs, with Travis Robinson and Paul Currie winning the cars title.
Man killed while competing in the Finke Desert Race identfied as Matthew Bielefeld
Matthew Bielefeld died in a crash on day one of the 2026 Finke Desert Race. (Supplied)
A motorcyclist who died while competing in this weekend’s Finke Desert Race outside Alice Springs has been identified as Matthew Bielefeld.
In a statement released this afternoon via the race organising committee, Mr Bielefeld’s family said they were mourning the loss of “our beautiful boy, brother to Scott, partner to Rhylee”.
Matthew Bielefeld (right) was competing in the off-road race outside Alice Springs before his death. (Supplied)
“If anyone knew Matthew, you would know he was a character larger than life itself and lit up any room he walked into,” they said.
“He was an all-round sportsman and was so excited to return home to compete in his second Finke with his brother.
“We wish to thank the emergency services, helicopter crew, other competitors and Finke Desert Race Committee members that helped yesterday.”
Mr Bielefeld was killed in a crash while racing along the off-road track from Alice Springs to Aputula/Finke yesterday.
Fellow competitors left a floral tribute for Matthew Bielefeld after his death on Sunday. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
In a statement on Sunday, a Northern Territory Police spokesperson said officers had performed CPR until paramedics arrived and took over, “however, despite their best efforts, the rider tragically passed away at the scene”.
“Police have declared a crime scene and major crash investigators have taken carriage of the incident,” they said in a statement.
“The circumstances surrounding the crash are under active investigation and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”
Finke Desert Race motorbike rider dies on first day of outback competition from Alice Springs
A motorbike rider competing in this year’s Finke Desert Race has died, according to event organisers and NT Police. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
A motorbike rider has died in the Central Australian outback after a crash at the Finke Desert Race.
The competitor, whose name has yet to be released, died while racing along the off-road track from Alice Springs to Aputula/Finke.
NT Police said emergency services were called to the scene at 12:40pm on Sunday.
Both drivers and motorbike riders can compete in the off-road race. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Police rendered CPR until St John Ambulance paramedics arrived and commenced treatment.
“However, despite their best efforts, the rider tragically passed away at the scene,”
the NT Police statement said.
“Police have declared a crime scene and major crash investigators have taken carriage of the incident.
“The circumstances surrounding the crash are under active investigation and a report will be prepared for the coroner.”
The Finke Desert Race attracts thousands of spectators and competitors to Central Australia each year. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
A separate spokesperson said the Finke Desert Race committee “mourns the loss of a rider during race day one” and was “deeply saddened by this loss”.
“A competitor died at the scene along the first half of the route from Alice Springs to Aputula/Finke,” the committee said in a statement.
“We ask all to respect the privacy of the family, friends and those who have been impacted by this incident.”
Organisers said they were “providing ongoing support at both ends of the route” and thanked emergency services for their efforts.
Event expected to continue
Marking its 50th anniversary this year, the 460-kilometre race to Aputula/Finke and back is among the Northern Territory’s biggest annual sporting events.
It is one of the most famous off-road races in the world, recently capturing the attention of Hollywood’s film industry.
Today’s fatality comes just five years after the death of a Finke Desert Race spectator at the 2021 event, which led to a lawsuit and raised serious safety concerns.
The race kicked off in Alice Springs on Sunday. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Canberra retiree Nigel Harris died when a truck competing in that year’s event veered off the track and into a group of spectators standing 35 kilometres from the finish line.
A number of competitors have also died over the event’s 50-year history, with the most recent fatality occurring in 2008 when Queensland motorbike rider David Schmidt died after colliding with a tree during the race.
There was a close call at the 2025 event too, when a trophy truck became airborne while travelling at 160km/h.
Despite the vehicle crashing and rolling along the track several times last year, the driver and navigator walked away with only minor bruising.
Race organisers have told the ABC day two of this year’s competition will go ahead as planned.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-07/finke-desert-race-competitor-dies-motorbike-outback-competition/106769988
