Downing has twice won the British Circuit Racing Championships
A former British cycling champion injured in a cycling accident in Nottinghamshire has appealed for witnesses to the crash.
Dean Downing, 40, who retired from road racing last year, was hurt when his bike hit a lamppost after a near-collision with a van.
Downing, of Rotherham, lost control of his bike and injured his knee after the accident near Blyth on 17 July.
He said he "could have been killed" and "lucky there was no oncoming traffic".
He was taken to hospital and will need to wear a knee brace for three months.
Van 'swerved'
Police said Downing and his training partner "were overtaken by a white van, external which is believed to have swerved to avoid a bollard, causing Mr Downing to lose control of his bike and collide with a bollard and a lamppost".
The driver of the vehicle, described as "a white traffic management van", did not stop at the scene.
Downing will have to wear a brace for three months
Downing, who won the British Circuit Race Championships in 2002 and again in 2008, said: "I could have been killed, as I hit the bollard and lamppost and landed in middle of other side of road.
"I was very lucky there was no oncoming traffic or I could have been more seriously injured."
A Nottinghamshire police spokesman said: "The driver may not have realised what happened, but we need them to make contact to help with our enquiries."
