A Hawke's Bay cyclist was last night fighting for his life in hospital after he was catapulted from his bike during a road race in Hastings.
Peter Jarvis, aged in his 60s, was taking part in a road race organised by Ramblers Cycling Club on Saturday afternoon when the serious accident happened.
Hawke's Bay road policing Sergeant Kevin Stewart said that, while cycling down a hill on Middle Rd with a group of riders, Mr Jarvis reached a sharp corner and "went straight off the road".
His cycle hit a ditch and flipped, catapulting him through the air and into a bank, Mr Stewart said.
He received serious head injuries as well as chest injuries and was rushed to Hawke's Bay Hospital.