Irish cyclist injured, Briton killed in crashes with cars in Australian ultra race
The British cyclists killed today, Mike Hall. An Irish cyclist has also been injured in the race.
The Indian Pacific Wheel Race – which travels across Australia – has been cancelled as it neared conclusion after one of the riders was killed.
The death of British Rider Mike Hall (35) occurred when he was in a collision with a vehicle south of Canberra just before 6.30am local time today.
He was bit by a car as he was very close to the finish of the race that takes the riders from Freemantle on the west coast to Sydney on the east.
His tragic death puts into perspective a close call that Irishman Eoin Marshall had in the race earlier in the week.
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He was hit by a car and sustained head injuries. He was forced out of the race but is thankfully out of hospital and now on the road to recovery.
The race is a solo, unsupported ride covering almost 5,500 kilometres. It crosses the outback and takes the riders into Adelaide, Melbourne and finally Sydney.
Hall and Marshall were two of 70 riders who set off on March 18th.
Hall was a top ultra racer having won one of the world's longest mountain bike races, the 4400-kilometre Tour Divide from Canada to Mexico across the Rocky Mountains.
He also won the world's longest road bike race, the 29,000-kilometre World Cycle Race.
When he was killed he had ridden 5,024km over 12 days. While the winner was set to reach Sydney Opera House sometime on Friday afternoon local time the race was cancelled when Hall’s death was confirmed.
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"The Indian Pacific Wheel Race has been cancelled with immediate effect in light of this morning's tragic incident," a statement from the organisers said.
"Every effort is being made to personally get in contact with riders that remain on the road to inform them of the situation.
"The tracking devices will remain open in the interests of safety and the event is continuing to work with the relevant authorities.
"This is a difficult time for everyone involved, along with their families, and their wellbeing is our primary concern."
Separately, Eoin Marshall was hospitalised after a collision with a car in Tarlee, South Australia on Monday.
A statement issued about Marshall’s crash said he was recovering and that, thankfully, another rider was able to assist him.
“Regretfully, Eoin Marshall was injured after a vehicle collided with him on the outskirts of Tarlee in South Australia this morning, the State of last Monday said.
“Local police responded at the scene. Eoin was treated for a head wound in Tarlee initially and then transferred to the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Elizabeth Vale for further tests that also revealed a fractured rib.”
The statement added Marshall would be “released shortly”, which has since happened.
The statement continued of Eoin Marshall’s crash: “Another rider, Ben Hirons, witnessed the incident and travelled with Eoin to the medical centre.
“The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene of the incident and has since been charged for driving without due care.
“Both riders will withdraw from the race. We all wish Eoin a speedy recovery.”
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