Rider killed in Finke Desert Race crash identified as Matthew Bielefeld

Man killed while competing in the Finke Desert Race identfied as Matthew Bielefeld Mon 8 Jun 2026 at 5:34pm 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". "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. 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."