A British amateur cyclist has died after being hit by a car during a road race in France.

Ian Bashford was struck during the final descent of the Duo Normand race in Marigny, north-west France, on Sunday.

The 60-year-old was riding with a team-mate when he was hit by a van, which is believed to have been supporting another team of amateur cyclists.

Mr Bashford, a member of the Old Portlians Cycling Club based in south London, could not be revived following the incident.

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The Club released a statement confirming the news.

According to French media reports, Mr Bashford was hit by the van when he was just 200 metres from the finish line.

The 27-year-old driver reportedly swerved before hitting Mr Bashford. He was taken to hospital in a state of shock.

An investigation is under way into what happened.

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The race continued to its conclusion following the accident in accordance with the wishes of Mr Bashford’s friends.

Bradley Wiggins’ race team offered its condolences to Mr Bashford’s family.

Julian Hutchings, secretary of the Old Portlians Cycling Club, described Mr Bashford as a “passionate cyclist” who “would help anybody”.

The club secretary said he believed there had been accidents on the same stretch of the course in previous years, but never a fatality.

“There are questions to be asked about the organisation of the event, in the sense that you have cyclists going back and forth on the same stretch of road, with cars able to travel on that stretch of road and overtake on that stretch of road,” he said.