Cycle Tour veteran killed on coast road

A CYCLIST killed after being crushed by a truck in Camps Bay has been identified as a 70-yearold veteran of the Cape Town Cycle Tour.

Roy Smith was pedalling along Victoria Road on Tuesday morning when witnesses said an overtaking bus forced him into the path of a truck.

Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said paramedics rushed to the busy coastal road where police had cordoned off the area surrounding the crash.

But Smith had already died. His body was covered with a blanket while authorities waited for the coroners.

Smith was training for his 16th Cape Town Cycle Tour on March 8. Police spokesman Colonel Tembinkosi Kinana said the cyclist lived in Milkwood Park in Noordhoek.

Paramedics had initially reported that the man was in his 50s, but police later confirmed that he was 70 years old.

According to his profile on the Racetec website, which tracks cyclists’ times in a range of riding events held around the country, Smith was an avid rider, participating in 23 different official races since 1991.

In last year’s Cycle Tour he completed the 109km route in just over six hours.

Users on The Hub SA, a local cycling forum, sent their condolences to Smith and his family. Many wrote that the road, while being a popular cycling route, was made dangerous by motorists driving over the white line.

Just last September a woman was badly injured when she was run over and crushed by an allegedly drunk driver.

Alriza Reid had been cycling along Victoria Road on September 27 as part of a group of 12 riders training for the Coronation Double Century.

The driver Raymond Adams allegedly sped off after hitting her at the turn-off to Llandudno.

Reid suffered injuries to her face, her jaw was broken and she had injuries to her leg and chest. She had to be airlifted to hospital.

Adams was later arrested and charged with driving under the influence. But his court case in November was postponed after he was excused to go on holiday abroad.

Last month a cyclist was killed near Woodbridge Island.

Father-of-two Adré Erasmus was pedalling home from work when he was knocked over by a truck.

He was training for his 21st Cycle Tour.

Police are investigating a case of culpable homicide.