TWO cyclists were airlifted to a Swansea hospital and another two were hospitalised on Sunday following a crash during a popular bike race near Aberystwyth.

Police closed the B4340 at around 12.30pm on Sunday, 14 August, after a serious collision at the annual Angela Davies Memorial Road Race, organised by Ystwyth Cycling Club, which left ten cyclists injured.

Two cyclists — one of whom suffered a head injury, and another who suffered a pelvic injury — were airlifted to Morriston Hospital by two separate air ambulances, and another two were taken to Bronglais Hospital by road ambulance. Their injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Cllr Paul Hinge, was one of the race volunteers, said he was unsure what had caused the crash, but said the cyclists would have been going very fast when it happened.

“What caused it, we are unsure, but they were racing hard and the unfortunate part is that you have a fast stretch of road and of course, with speed, these things can happen,” Cllr Hinge told the Cambrian News this week.

“They must have been doing around 40mph — it was on the long stretch of road going down the hill between New Cross and Nanteos.

“The road was closed while the emergency services were at the scene, and reopened once the air ambulance and the road ambulances had left.

“Thankfully, everyone who was racing was wearing a helmet and they did their jobs for those who went off.

“We had some news that they were okay last night. One thing we want to do is wish everyone involved a speedy recovery.”