Former British champion Dean Downing, 42, has received a five-figure sum in damages after he was run off the road by a van in July 2015. The driver was never traced but Downing was able to make a claim from the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) which compensates victims of uninsured and/or untraceable drivers.

Downing was riding with training partner, Leigh Holmes, when they were overtaken by a traffic management van. As the vehicle was passing, it cut back in towards them to avoid a bollard in the middle of the road.

Holmes, who was leading, was hit, but managed to stay upright. Downing swerved to avoid the van, but in so doing lost control of his bike and veered into the bollard, subsequently hitting a lamppost as well.

He sustained damaged ligaments in his left knee. The van driver didn’t stop and has never been identified.

As a British Cycling member, Downing pursued his claim through law firm Leigh Day and received a five figure sum from MIB, a body funded by motor insurers.

He said: “British Cycling membership is an absolute must in my eyes. I have always had the Gold licence. Even though I don’t race any more, I still get out on my bike on the open roads. I also work in the cycling industry doing lots of varied roles. Being a member covers me as you never know what’s around the next corner.”

Andrew Bradley, head of the cycling team at Leigh Day, said: “We made every effort to trace the van responsible for Dean’s injuries but were unable to do. Fortunately, the MIB agreed to deal with the claim through the untraced drivers’ scheme.

“We’re just pleased to see Dean back on his bike on both Zwift and in the real world, and hope that he continues to inspire and coach this country’s young cycling talent.”

The All Party Parliamentary Cycling Group (APPCG) opens an inquiry today in which it will investigate whether the justice system is failing cyclists and letting drivers off lightly for collisions.

The APPCG says cyclists and their families sometimes struggle to achieve justice from the incident itself, right through to the courts.