Car vs Bike during race leaves Kiwi worse off

Kieran Hambrook has less to smile about now thanks to a broken collarbone

Aug 2nd, 11. 20 year old Kieran Hambrook has a broken collarbone thanks to a high speed car vs bike incident during a race in France.

Hambrook was just 300m from the finish line in the Gp Ancelle race this weekend when his international season came to an abrupt halt.

"I  was leading a small bunch through a little village with only 300m or 400m to go before the line. I had a slight gap on the group and it was a gradually downhill section as well.

"Seeing it was coming to the finish, I just overtook on the left as you would usually," Hambrook told RoadCycling.co.nz

"Somehow there was a car on the course, and it chose to turn left as I was coming down its left - without any reaction time I just slammed into the side of it at about 50kph at least."

After four hours at Gap hospital in the south east of France, x-rays confirmed Hambrook had a broken collarbone.

As well as the general frustration of an injury, Hambrook is disappointed he will not be able to contest the busiest month of racing for his team.

The Nelson rider's goal this season, his second as a Kiwi road international, was to gain enough success to move to a higher ranked team for 2012 - his current team is sponsored by a resort in the South of France where Hambrook lives.

"I need to sort out a few bits and pieces here and I might be heading home. My season was going to wrap up 5th September any way," he said.

"I am pretty gutted to be put out of action after a crash that wasn't even my fault."