THE cyclist injured during last night's Abergavenny Handicap Road Race has died.

The rider has been named as 26-year-old Ben Carroll from Cardiff, who crashed on Tuesday night while travelling along the old A40 between Raglan and Abergavenny at 8.50pm.

Mr Carroll and his companion, a 33-year-old male cyclist from Abertillery, were travelling towards Abergavenny when they were involved in a collision with a van travelling in the opposite direction between the Steelhorse Cafe and the Hardwick Roundabout.

Mr Carroll was taken by Ambulance to Nevill Hall Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

A statement on Cardiff Ajax Cycling Club's website said: "It is with great sadness that the club informs that Ben Carroll was killed in an incident in the Abergavenny Handicap Race last night.

"Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Ben's family and friends.

"We would greatly appreciate it if there could be no speculation about this tragic incident and allow the Police, Welsh Cycling and the race organisers the opportunity to investigate the matter."

Police are investigating the circumstances of the collision and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact them on 101 and quote log number 576 9/7/13.

Abergavenny-born world cycling champion Becky James tweeted about her shock at hearing about the incident and said that her thoughts were with Mr Carroll's family.

Bill Owen, organiser of Abergavenny Festival of Cycling said: "This is a terrible incident and our thoughts also go out to the family and friends of the people involved in it."

He added that Abergavenny Festival of Cycling would not be making any further comments over the incident at this time.