Jorge Martín’s Pinarello recovered after Valencia MotoGP Theft

Spanish police have recovered Jorge Martín’s rare Pinarello training bike after it was stolen during the Valencia MotoGP weekend. Martin, if you didn’t know, is a bit of a big shot in the car racing world.

The 2024 world champion’s custom ride, valued at $23,000 Canuck bucks and one of only a few produced, was taken from his motorhome while teams were preparing for the race, according to TodoCircuito.

Authorities say the suspect, a 44-year-old man with a super-fun criminal history, disguised himself in team swag to move freely through the paddock. The wild part? A little CCTV footage shows him getting into restricted areas and taking the bike from Martín’s RV before leaving the circuit. Later, he was spotted at a nearby gas station still wearing the team gear and carrying the bicycle. Classic.

The cops tracked the dude to his Madrid home, where he was promptly busted.

Reports indicate he had recently been released from prison and is also being investigated for an unrelated car theft. Officials said that while thefts from the paddock are rare, incidents involving high-profile riders are particularly…disturbing.

The case has renewed scrutiny of MotoGP paddock security, where restricted areas are meant to protect riders, teams, and their equipment. So, basically cosplaying as a mechanic may no longer work.

This isn’t the first time an expensive bike—or Pinarello, has been ripped off, but hopefully it’s the last. (It won’t be. Sorry.)