An Essex cyclist has suffered severe facial bruising and a broken nose after allegedly being pushed off by someone in a passing car. Ian Jackson has been told by police that “there is not a lot they can do,” because he did not see the person’s face or the car’s make or registration number.

Essex Live reports that Jackson was taking part in Becontree Wheelers’ time trial in Stapleford Abbots at about 7.45pm on Friday April 28 when the incident took place.

He said: “The car came up from behind me. It wasn’t like I cut them up – they could have passed me at any point.

“The car was on the right and it came to within two or three inches of me. I just saw the wing mirror of the car and then, a split second later, a hand from the passenger seat. I’m still stunned that someone would do something so cruel, just for a bit of fun.”

Jackson said that after finding himself face down on the ground, he got up and immediately attended to his broken nose. “I thought I’d better to do it now when I am already in pain, so I pulled it back straight. It didn’t hurt too much because I was still suffering from shock.”

His glasses and £150 helmet were also broken, but he said his bike was in “surprisingly good condition”.

Unfortunately, Jackson didn’t see anything other than a glimpse of a dark blue car as he looked up from the ground.

His brother had been riding behind, “but he just thought I had a puncture and rode on, so I slowly cycled back to the start where my van was parked.”

Jackson said: “It is frustrating. I ride with the club most weeks, and we get tooted at, shouted at and generally abused. People deliberately drive close to you to make a point that you are in their way, but I have never witnessed anything like this before.”

Anyone with information can contact Essex Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.