Another Victorian cyclist killed while training

Following on from the tragic death last week of Australian elite cyclist Saul Pasque comes news of another cyclist being run down and killed while out training.

Victorian Police have confirmed that a man in his early 30s was killed in surbuban Melbourne on Saturday, January 22, while riding with his regular training partner of four years. It's alleged that a late model Australian sedan struck the cyclist at 7am and then the driver sped off, leading to an extensive police search. However, the driver, a 28 year-old from a Mebourne suburb, then presented himself to the Mill Park police station the same afternoon after visiting his legal representative.

It's understood after the driver sped away from the collision with the cyclist, his vehicle then struck another car, before he abandoned the vehicle and left on foot.

Senior Sergeant Jeff Smith, of the major collision investigation unit, told The Sunday Age newspaper, "It was broad daylight, clear road; there's no issues in relation to visibility." It's believed he will be charged with culpable driving and other offences.

Meanwhile, the funeral service for Saul Pasque was held in Melbourne yesterday, attended by many people from the cycling community. Pasque was admired by many in the sport and his trade, but was killed on January 18 when struck from behind by a utility vehicle (pickup truck). Pasque had raced at the elite level in Australian and Europe, with a victory in the Tour of Tasmania one of his career highlights.