British Cyclist Mike Hall, 35, Dies In Crash During Australian Race; Tributes Pour In

British cycling legend Mike Hall died early Friday after being hit by a car during the Indian Pacific Wheel race from Perth to Sydney, event officials stated. He was 35.

British Cyclist Mike Hall Killed In Crash In Australia

The rest of the race was called off hours after the incident.

Hall was in second place in the race when his global positioning (GPS) tracker stopped functioning near the scene of where the collision was reported at 6:30 am local time (New South Wales) Friday.

The 5,500-kilometer (3,400-mile) race began on March 18 in Fremantle, Western Australia, south of Perth. Belgian Kristof Allegaert was in the lead, and was set to reach the finish line at the Sydney Opera House on Friday.

However, he and other cyclists were removed from the race following the decision to stop it.

“The Indian Pacific Wheel Race has been cancelled with immediate effect in light of this morning’s tragic incident,” race organizers said in a statement before confirming Hall’s death. “This is a difficult time for everyone involved, along with their families, and their well-being is our primary concern.”

Police stated the accident occurred before sunrise on the Monaro Highway near Williamsdale.

Dozens of other cyclists have taken to social media to pay homage to Hall, for whom race officials said a tribute ride was being planned in Sydney on Sunday.

Mega-triathlete Sean Conway tweeted: “Today is a very very sad day. Cycling has lost a legend. Ride in Peace Mike Hall. We’ll miss you so much.”

Presenter Jack Thurston said: “Awful news about Mike Hall, killed in IPWR. A wise, kind and sparky man and an exceptional cyclist. Much loved & an inspiration to so many.”

Hall complained on Twitter last week about cars passing the race too quickly.

“I’m fine thanks to those asking, you can add about half a dozen close fast passes since last night though unfortunately,” he said on Sunday. “Riders will want to be alert when entering this area, don’t hug the shoulder, give yourself somewhere to bail to.”

The CyclingTips website said on Friday that Hall was considered one of the world’s top ultra-endurance riders, and held the record for the fastest completion of the Trans-Am and Tour Divide bike-packing races in the United States. He was the founder of the Transcontinental race in Europe.

Over £15,000 ($18,800) has already been raised on Just Giving to help Hall’s family.

Mike Hall at the Riders Briefing before the 2015 Transcontinental Race in Geraardsbergen, Belgium. (Wikimedia Commons)

Article by Pablo Mena