Thieves nick gyro-cam from Rossi's bike

OPPORTUNIST THIEVES have stolen the hi-tech gyro-cam from Valentino Rossi's Yamaha M1 after the rider ran out of petrol on the wind-down lap of last weekend's MotoGP race at Misano.

The Italian, who finished third in Sunday's race, was mobbed by an enthustiastic crowd following his podium position, but while fans celebrated the world champion's podium position, others decided to make off with the rear-mounted gyro-cam, ripping the hi-tech piece of equipment from the housing on the tailpiece of Rossi's machine.

No other damage to Rossi's machine was reported.

Thanks to Alex Briggs, one of Rossi's technicians, for the picture.