Gold medal-winning Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman's mother is killed in bike accident

The mother of Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has died after being knocked off her bike in North Wales.

Carol Boardman, in her seventies, died this morning after being hit by a car in Connah's Quay yesterday afternoon, her son revealed on Twitter.

She was taken to hospital but later passed away from her injuries.

In a post he shared, Chris, 47, said 'In the early hours of Sunday morning, our mum, Carol Boardman, died from injuries sustained in collision with a car while out riding her bike in North Wales.

'A racing cyclist of some standing in her day, she gave up competitive cycling when Lisa and I came along but she never lost her love of the bike or of competing.

'Our mum was the most positive, outgoing person you could ever hope to meet and her generosity of spirit inspired everyone she met.

'She leaves behind Keith, her partner for more than half a century, Lisa and I, and a large loving family.

'We cannot yet conceive of a world without her in it.

'We love you Carol, may the wind be ever at your back.'

A police statement read: 'North Wales Police were called to an RTC yesterday at 13.54hrs at the roundabout on Mold Road, Connah's Quay with the Junction of Ffordd Llanarth.

'The collision involved a white Mitsubishi L200 pick up and a pedal cyclist.

'The cyclist was taken to hospital via ambulance with serious injuries, and sadly later died.'

Mrs Boardman was a keen cyclist who inspired her gold-medal-winning son into the sport.

Chris described her as 'a stealth combatant and full of energy; mum was one of those individuals who could quietly turn anything into a contest.'

She remained active despite being diagnosed with osteoporosis, the condition that forced her son to give her cycling.

Chris has long being an advocate of cycling safety and last year revealed that he had been shook up by his mother being involved in a near-miss while riding her bike.

He shared a video of a group of cyclists, including Carol, being nearly hit by an Aldi truck.

Boardman, nicknamed 'The Professor' by Team GB cyclists, is thought of as the pioneer of what is Britain's ultra-successful current Olympic team.

He won an individual pursuit gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, broke the world hour record three times, and won three stages of the Tour de France

In 1992, the specialist time-triallist was awarded an MBE for services to cycling.

In 2009 he was also inducted into the British Cycling Hall of Fame.

Bob Howden, president of British Cycling - which Boardman is policy adviser to - said: 'This is truly awful news and my thoughts, and those of everyone at British Cycling, are with Carol's family.'

Boardman's broadcasting colleague Ned Boulting tweeted: 'I'm so sorry Chris. You and your family are uppermost in our thoughts here in France.'

The Hoylake-born father-of-six has been part of ITV's coverage of the Tour de France.

Boardman's tribute to his mother on his twitter feed was featured in full at the end of ITV4's Tour de France Highlights show on Sunday.

Presenter Gary Imlach told viewers that the pundit had flown home on Saturday night following the road accident.

Cyclists at Carol's club in Birkinhead also payed tribute to her. One said: 'Carol always had time for people. Always had a smile and always spoke to the younger riders. Thoughts are with her family' while another said: 'Very sad news, a lovely lady, who took time over 25 years ago to start me on my cycling path, and who has always taken time to talk to newcomers.'