Tributes have poured in for a popular club rider who was hit and killed while riding a 25-mile time trial in Hampshire on Sunday morning.

John Froud was competing in an Epsom Cycling Club time trial on the Bentley course (H25/88) — starting and finishing near Farnham in Surrey via an out-and-back course to Alton on the A31 — when he was struck by the driver of a Ford Transit van shortly before 9am.

Hampshire Police and emergency services were called to the scene on the A31 near Holybourne Roundabout and the driver, a 21-year-old man from Barnet in north London, was arrested on suspicion of four offences, including causing death by driving without due care while unfit through drugs.

The police force confirmed that a cyclist in his 80s had died shortly after the collision and his next of kin had been informed.

The other charges the driver was arrested on suspicion of were: causing death by careless/inconsiderate driving, driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving a motor vehicle with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

Hampshire Police stressed they are keen to hear from witnesses who may have seen the collision or road users who were in the area on Sunday morning and may have caught video footage on camera.

News of the incident spread quickly on the Time Trialling Forum where one poster said he was the first rider on the scene along with an ex-army medic and the pair gave first aid treatment before the paramedics arrived.

The rider reported it had been a clear day, with no fog and “great visibility”, adding that John would “be missed by many”.

Tributes poured in with another poster saying John had been a “lovely man” and they felt “anger and bitter sadness” at the “waste of life”.

“Stay safe out there everyone, sincere condolences to John’s family and friends,” another added.

“A formidable talent”

John began racing for Festival RC in the 1950s and was described as a “formidable talent”, winning the Division Road Race Championship and representing his country at the Peace Race in Eastern Europe and later riding the Tour of Britain during its Milk Race days.

Alongside his brother, Brian, John won the team award in the National 100-Mile Championship, and he was also a part of the club’s team pursuit squad on the track, winning medals at various national championships and winning the all-London Championship.

Anyone with any information that may help the investigation is asked to contact Hampshire Police on 101, quoting reference 44220390205.