A MOTORCYCLIST is devastated after his dream machine was stolen by hooded thieves just days before he makes his competitive riding debut.Dedicated Richard Talon, 28, of Maldon Court, Great Cornard, has spent the last six-months perfecting his riding skills and was due to take part in a motor-cross competition being held in the village today.

A MOTORCYCLIST is devastated after his dream machine was stolen by hooded thieves just days before he makes his competitive riding debut.

Dedicated Richard Talon, 28, of Maldon Court, Great Cornard, has spent the last six-months perfecting his riding skills and was due to take part in a motor-cross competition being held in the village today.

But the motorbike fanatic has seen his dreams shattered after thieves stole his valuable machine from his garage.

“I am very upset, I have been interested in motorbikes since I was 13 and I have always dreamed of owning one of these bikes and then someone just comes along a takes it.

“I was looking forward to taking part in my first competition, but obviously I can't do that now and I am so disappointed,” said Mr Talon.

Mr Talon moved to Great Cornard from France two years ago to start work at Sudbury's Delphi factory.

He has spent the past two years saving up the £3,200 he needed to buy his dream Yamaha WR 400. Six-months ago he managed to finally purchase the bike and has been practicing on it ever since.

The thieves broke into Mr Talon's garage between 7.30pm and 11.30pm on Saturday, March 27. They smashed the windows of a car and then wheeled it out of the garage to allow them to get to the motorbike.

The machine had a locking system, which meant the thieves had to drag the bike through the streets after stealing it.

A witness spotted three hooded youths, all described as around 6ft tall, dragging the bike through a nearby housing estate.

Police found tyres marks stretching from Mr Talon's garage to the Maldon Grey pub, several hundred yards away.

Mr Talon added: “I didn't just have the bike for competitions, it was my hobby and I really enjoyed having it, it was my dream come true. I just hope somebody will find out where it is so I can get it back.”

The motorbike was blue and its registration number is Y827 6WC. Anyone with any information should telephone PC Nick Cook at Sudbury police on 01284 774300.