'Priceless' 1997 Yamaha stolen from display.

Callous thieves have stolen a priceless ex-Paul Malin motocross bike - which was set for a starring role in next month's British Motocross Grand Prix.

The Yamaha was on display in the foyer of Bike-It International, title sponsor of the Yamaha UK team and organisation behind the British Motocross Grand Prix, which is due to be held on June 17/18.

Organisers of the British MXGP are devastated at the theft of the irreplaceable bike and Steve Dixon from Bike-It Promotions has appealed for any help in finding the bike.

"The 1997 Yamaha YZ 125 bike was to be exhibited at the exciting two day event in June and was to be the centrepiece at the Motocross lunchtime procession through Southampton on Thursday June 15," he said. "We just want it back in its rightful place."

The motorbike (pictured) was ridden by grand prix star Malin in the 1997 British 125 championship. Malin rode for the Yamaha team for seven years and the 1997 championship was one of his last competitive 125 races. A complete one off bike, the Yamaha has been preserved in immaculate showroom condition since the last time it was ridden, nine years ago.

The burglary, which took place in the early hours of Friday morning, is being investigated by the police, who arrived within minutes of the alarm sounding at the head office. Detectives are currently checking security CCTV footage in the hope it will lead them to the thieves.

"Security is incredibly important for us and to have this bike stolen is devastating. The sentimental value attached to it is hard to believe, having been the winning bike nearly 10 years ago in the 1997 British Motocross Grand Prix championship. The bike just cannot be replaced," stressed Dixon.

Despite the loss of the Yamaha Steve said that plans are well advanced for the British Motocross Grand Prix at Matterley Basin, just off the A31 at Winchester - and a stand would still be built for the Yamaha in the hope that thieves return the bike.