A Yorkshire cyclist has been convicted of assault after magistrates rejected his claim that he was acting in self defence during an altercation with a van driver whom he said had passed too close to him while he was out riding.

Christopher Alan Wade, aged 48 and from Keighley, told the court that after he had banged the side of the van due to it being too close to him as he rode along Keighley Road in Skipton on 9 November last year, reports the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.

He said that the driver, Jeffrey Walker, had then bitten him on the hand, but the magistrates rejected the cyclist’s claim that he had acted in self-defence in striking the van driver.

Alistair Geldhardt, a friend and Wade and also a cyclist, described him as a “gentleman” and told the court of his support for the Dave Rayner Fund, which since 1996 has helped fund aspiring riders including many who have gone on to succesful pro careers including David Millar, Russ Downing, Emma Trott and Dani King.

The magistrates fined Wade £400 and he was also told to pay £100 compensation to Mr Walker as well as £300 in court costs and a victim surcharge of £40.