Grieving father pours heart out after son Matthew Bielefeld dies in Finke Desert Race
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.
Matthew Bielefeld 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.
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Bielefeld’s family released a statement late on Monday evening, saying the were mourning the loss of “our beautiful boy, brother to Scott, partner to Rhylee”.
“If anyone knew Matthew, you would know he was a character larger than life itself and lit up any room he walked into,” the statement 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.“
Earlier on Monday, his father thanked everyone for their support.
“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.
Finke Desert Race legends Travis Robinson and David Walsh win again, alongside reigning champs Hannah Bentley and Madi Healey
Finke Desert Race winners, driver Travis Robinson and navigator Paul Currie, celebrating their latest victory. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
In short:
Alice Springs’ David Walsh has won the bikes section of the Finke Desert Race for a record-equalling sixth time, while West Australian driver Travis Robinson has claimed victory on cars for a second consecutive year.
Reigning Queens of the Desert champions, Hannah Bentley and Madison Healey, were the first women to race across the finish line again for cars and bikes respectively this year.
Hundreds of competitors started the Finke Desert Race from Alice Springs on Sunday, with day two continuing as planned despite a fatal crash yesterday.
Returning legends of the Finke Desert Race, David Walsh and Travis Robinson, have been crowned Kings of the Desert at the gruelling two-day off-road race, with Walsh winning on bikes for a record-equalling sixth time and Robinson claiming victory on cars.
This year’s Finke marked the 50th-anniversary event, and more than 150 cars and 670 motorbikes competed, making it the biggest in the competition’s history.
The race continued today despite a fatal crash claiming the life of a motorbike rider, who is yet to be publicly named, on day one of the race.
This morning, in the cars section of the race, West Australian driver Travis Robinson and navigator Paul Currie — competing in the extreme 4WD category — were the first to cross the finish line in Alice Springs.
Spectators and competitors flock to Central Australia every year for the famous off-road race. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
The winning team completed the 460-kilometre race to Aputula/Finke and back in 3 hours, 23 minutes and 6 seconds.
The victory marks Robinson’s second in as many years, after he snatched the crown from the reigning champion — his brother Beau — in 2025.
Despite the ongoing friendly sibling rivalry, Travis Robinson and his family proudly celebrated this year’s result. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Speaking to the ABC from the finish line, the driver said his team had cruised through “the perfect weekend”.
“We run it as a family effort, and this is three in a row … to win the 50th [anniversary] is a dream come true,”
Robinson said.
“Just killer, I can’t believe it.”
Robinson said this year would be his last at Finke.
“It’s something I wanted to do for my dad and my family and Paul here, and we’ve won it twice in a row — smart enough to go out on top and go onto other things, family and business”.
Travis Robinson, pictured alongside his navigator Paul Currie, says this year’s race will be his last. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
But he said the off-road racing tradition would likely be carried on by his children, hopefully in about a decade, and Robinson would be cheering on his brother from the sidelines of next year’s event.
“I sort of got back into the sport when my old man died, and it’s really great for the kids,” he said.
He said for now, he was keen to enjoy a few celebratory drinks and watch back the race footage of what he called his vehicle’s “Dukes of Hazzard moments”, soaring over the track’s dirt jumps.
Almost 10 minutes after the winners arrived in Alice Springs, driver Boston Morgan-Horan and navigator Will Haddock crossed the line to take home second place.
Boston Morgan-Horan and Will Haddock were the runners-up for cars. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
The silver placegetters competed in the extreme 2WD class, representing New Zealand, and achieved a time of 3 hours, 32 minutes and 23.8 seconds.
Robinson said Morgan-Horan was in a strong position to return and dominate next year’s race, describing him as “a force to be reckoned with”.
“Him and Beau are probably the quickest in not just Australia, they’re quickest in the world — I’d bet money that both of them would give anyone in the world a run for their money right now,”
Robinson said.
Co-drivers Hayden and Sam Bentley rounded out the podium in third place, alongside navigator Viv Coe.
Hayden Bentley and Viv Coe were the bronze placegetters in this year’s car race. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Racing in the extreme 4WD category on behalf of South Australia, the bronze team finished with a time of 3 hours, 45 minutes and 19 seconds.
Finke Desert Race does not have an official Queen of the Desert title for cars, but reigning South Australian champ Hannah Bentley was the first woman to drive across the finish line again this year.
Competing in the extreme 2WD category, after nabbing victory in both 2024 and 2025, she raced in the team’s trophy truck alongside co-driver Hayden Bentley and navigator Scott Gould.
Finishing in 21st spot overall for the cars, the team recorded a time of 4 hours, 26 minutes and 4 seconds.
Jackson Vandenberg was among the fans cheering from the sidelines at the 50th-anniversay Finke event. (ABC News: Elsie Lange)
David Walsh wins on bikes for sixth time
Hundreds of motorbikes began racing along the return leg from Aputula/Finke at midday, with Alice Springs legend David Walsh ultimately pulling ahead of the pack to secure his sixth win.
After winning five consecutive races, from 2019 to 2024, Walsh made a strong return to the competition this year after sitting it out in 2025.
His victory today equals the previous record for bike wins set by Finke legend Toby Price.
David Walsh returned from retirement for the event’s 50th anniversary. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
His motorbike crossed the finish line in a time of 3 hours, 49 minutes and 27.9 seconds.
He was followed by runner-up Campbell Hall more than 6 minutes later.
David Walsh took home the title on bikes, followed by Campbell Hall (top centre) in second place and Liam Walsh (bottom right) in third. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Liam Walsh, the cousin of this year’s motorbike winner, finished in third place, with a time of 3 hours 59 minutes and 37.8 seconds.
Reigning Queen of the Desert Madison Healey raced her motorbike to victory again this year, taking home the title for a third time in a time of 5 hours, 16 minutes and 4 seconds.
A number of women competed in this year’s event, but only the motorbike category has an official Queen of the Desert title. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Corey Hammond, who won last year’s motorbike race, finished in 18th place this time around.
Meanwhile fan-favourite and one of the biggest names in Finke history, Toby Price, lost his chance at taking home a 10th win.
He is the only Finke Desert Race competitor to have ever achieved victory in both the motorbike and car categories, but this year Price experienced gearbox issues and did not finish day one.
Beau Robinson’s vehicle also ran into trouble on Sunday, delayed by steering issues and two flat tyres — dashing his chances of stealing the crown back from brother Travis.
