The bike and belongings of Polish endurance cyclist Justyna Jarczok were stolen from outside a petrol station in Leeds, after she won one of the UK’s toughest bikepacking events. Jarczok has since posted an update on her Instagram account to say that her belongings have been found in a nearby park, but her distinctive Kona mountain bike is still missing. 

Jarczok, who had travelled to the UK to compete in the Dales Divide, initially revealed on social media that she was left with “nothing” but her passport and wallet after the theft.

“Yesterday, my bike was stolen. Everything I own is gone – I don’t even have clothes to change into after the race or the keys to my home.

“I’ve reported it to the police, but right now all I can do is head home for the holidays and try to recover.”

She has remained positive despite the setback, adding that “I believe the bike will turn up. Dales Divide was rough. But I’m proud of the progress I’m making. I’m just getting started – huge thanks to everyone supporting me out there! Cheers!”

The incident happened outside a BP petrol station in Leeds, where Jarczok had stopped on her way back to her hotel following the race, according to fellow ultra-cyclist Richard Stoodley.

Sharing a photo of the missing bike on his Instagram page, Stoodley is urging his followers to help find the bike.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Richard Stoodley (@rapid_rich)

He wrote: “Please, please share this post”. He added that: “This epic win by a great rider, lovely girl and good friend should not end like this.”

“Justine came over from Poland to do the Dales Divide. In the harshest conditions through Storm Dave, she excelled and won.”

He said that “she was left with nothing but her wallet and passport, as all her belongings are on the bike. She’s heading back to Poland now on her booked flight.

“She’s a talented young lady who came to visit the UK to race a bike, and although she won, she leaves with nothing.”

> Your bike’s been stolen – now what? Here’s what to do next (and fast)

The stolen bike is a distinctive and rare Kona full suspension mountain bike, with a gold frame with red forks. Hours after Stoodley’s appeal, Jarczok said her belongings – including the Restrap bags that were attached to the bike – had been found in a nearby park, with the bike still missing.

Jarczok has received lots of support from the cycling community, with Alex Dyson commenting, “Proper heartbreaking. Will be doing everything we can to find it.”

Matt Whittle added, “Eurgh, the fact that this happened just up the road from me is disheartening. Shared with a few cycling clubs in the area.”

> Two-time Olympic triathlon champ Alistair Brownlee smashes 600km Dales Divide bikepacking route in 34 hours

The Dales Divide is a 600km self-supported bikepacking route that runs coast-to-coast across northern England. Starting in Arnside, riders cross challenging terrain to Scarborough before returning west, tackling some of the country’s most scenic but demanding landscapes.

Jarczok’s performance was made even more impressive considering the rough conditions of heavy rain and strong wind brought by Storm Dave.

While Jarczok has now returned to Poland, Stoodley has appealed for the bike’s safe return, asking that anyone with information come forward and stressing that arrangements can be made to collect it if found. Jarczok says police have been informed, but “…got nothing back” and did not have her call returned after reporting the crime.

road.cc has contacted West Yorkshire Police for comment.