Mike Hall, an ultra-endurance cyclist from Abbeycwmhir, died almost instantly when he was hit by a 19 year old motorist who thought he had hit a kangaroo, an inquest has heard.

Mike Hall, 35, died in March 2017 after being hit by a car near the Australian capital, Canberra, during the Indian Pacific Wheel race.

The inquest heard evidence that it was dark at the time and would have been hard for a motorist to see him.

The driver, Shegu Bobb, 19, thought he had hit a kangaroo, the hearing was told.

Mr Hall suffered major head, spinal and abdominal injuries, the Coroner's Court in the Australian Capital Territory heard.

He had been in second place when he was hit by Mr Bobb's car at 6.22am on March 31, 2017. The vehicle was travelling at 62mph.

Counsel assisting the inquest, Ken Archer, described the event as a "Hunger Games on wheels", with some riders completing up to 400km a day and sleeping only four hours a night. He said Mr Hall had been wearing dark clothing with little reflective material at the time of the collision.

However, the inquest was also played footage of Mr Hall racing at night in which he was visible.

Police told the court that he had been distracted by a parked truck as he turned on to the highway, and had no time to avoid the collision.

No charges have been laid against Mr Bobb. The inquest heard that he had suffered significant distress and shock after the crash.

It was decided on Wednesday that Mr Bobb will not be required to give evidence for the final day of the inquest.

Mr Archer told the court on Wednesday that Bobb had proven to be a “highly suggestible” witness in interviews with police.

“Mr Bobb has consistently said he simply did not see Mr Hall,” Archer said.

The coroner, Bernadette Boss, said English was a second language for Bobb, who was born in Sierra Leone and moved to Australia in 2005.

She said he was a very vulnerable person who would add little to the evidence already heard during the first two-and-a-half days of the inquest.

Mr Hall is renowned for winning several endurance titles, including the Tour Divide along the length of the Rocky Mountains, the Trans American Bike Race across the width of the USA and the 2012 World Cycle Race around the planet.

He moved to Abbeycwmhir in October 2016 and was due to participate in the organising of the 2017 Llandod Cycle Festival.

In June this year, the County Times reported on how more than 500 long-distance cyclists took part in an event called ‘This is not a Tour’ along the roads of Mid Wales where Mike and his partner Anna lived.

Pat Hall, Mike’s mum, spent the weekend with the cyclists and organisers and enjoyed time with them on the Sunday evening with a hog roast and ale.

Mr Hall's family travelled to Australia to attend the inquest, which was due to conclude yesterday (Thursday, September 27).