A professional male cyclist may have been killed in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race. Picture: Supplied
A MALE cyclist has died after colliding with a car in Canberra, and there are fears it could be one of the competitors in an unsupported endurance race from Perth to Sydney.
The Indian Pacific Wheel Race from Perth to Sydney will form part of a police investigation in the the crash, which happened on the Monaro Highway in the ACT on Friday morning.
The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Race organisers released a statement late on Friday morning confirming that an incident had occurred, but not did not confirm the cyclist’s identity.
There are grave concerns that British rider Mike Hall was involved.
British cyclist Mike Hall who is feared to have been involved in the collision. Picture: TwitterSource:Supplied
Hall was in second place when his GPS tracker stopped moving near the scene of the collision.
According to Cycling website cyclingtips.com, the last ping from Hall’s GPS tracker was at around 6.30am. “It hasn’t moved since and is currently displaying a “Stop” message,” the website stated.
Hall, 35, is described as one of the world’s best ultra-endurance racers and holds the record for the fastest completion of the Trans Am and Tour Divide bikepacking races in the US.
He founded the Transcontinental race in Europe.
“I can suggest, given the nature of the collision, an investigation into the circumstances would suggest the rider of the push bike died at the scene,” ACT Sergeant Chris Meagher said.
“[The driver] will be spoken to later by our Crash Investigation Reconstruction Team.”
The statement from organisers of the Indian Pacific Wheel Race read: “A collision between a motor vehicle and a cyclist occurred on the Monaro Highway at Royalla in New South Wales at approx. 6.20am on Friday morning. Race organisers are working with local authorities. We will co-operate fully with official investigations and we intend to undertake a detailed investigation of our own. Race organisers will provide more information when it becomes available.”
It is also understood that two of the riders expected to reach Sydney tonight have abandoned the race. Belgium’s Kristof Allegaert, was expected to reach the finish line at the Sydney Opera House later on Friday.
The driver of the motor vehicle has been assessed by police at the scene and has been taken to hospital.
“That driver is in shock and will be spoken to later. There is no suggestion of speed or alcohol at this stage,” Sergeant Meagher added.
The road remains closed in both directions with traffic diversions in place.
Crash investigators are piecing together the circumstances surrounding the collision and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
According to its website, the Indian Pacific Wheel Race is a solo, single-stage, unsupported, 5,500km road cycling race ocean-to-ocean across Australia.
The course is 100 per cent sealed. The race starts on 18 March 2017 at 6am in Fremantle, Western Australia and finishes at the Sydney Opera House whenever you get there. The clock does not stop. There is no prize money. “Nothing is at stake except honour,” the site states.
This race was inspired by the other grand tours of bikepacking: the Tour Divide, the Trans Am Bike Race and the Transcontinental.
Similar to these races, the rules for the Indian Pacific Wheel Race are simple and largely self-policed. The rules attempt to embody the spirit of self-support and fairness for all riders.
Originally published as Endurance cyclist feared dead
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