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Rider killed during Trans Am Bike Race

Eric Fishbein was killed in a collision while riding through Kansas

A 61-year-old rider competing in the coast-to-coast Trans Am Bike Race in the United States has been killed in a road traffic collision in Kansas, around halfway through the 4,300-kilometre route.

In a statement published on their Facebook page, the event organisers said: "We've just spoken to the Kansas Highway Patrol and confirmed rider Eric Fishbein was struck and killed last night on highway 96 in West Kansas.

"We are terribly saddened and our thoughts are with his family during this time. We are all reeling from this and are doing our best to get through today.

"To all racers, please know we're all pedaling together wherever we're sitting. Let your loved ones know where you are and what you plan to do.

"Some will keep pedaling, some will go home. We urge all to take the time to find the quickest path to healing.

"At this time we are discussing next steps to move forward. We ask for patience and understanding as we all try to get through this."

Fishbein's death comes less than three months after that of a past winner of the Trans Am Bike Race, British ultracyclist Mike Hall.

Hall, who also organised the Transcontinental Race across Europe, was killed when he was struck by a car during the Indian Pacific Wheel Race in Australia in March.

The Trrans AM Bike Race is currently being led by Evan Deutsch from Portland, Oregon who has around 400 kilometres left to ride to the finish in Newport News, Virginia.

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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