British Cyclist Mike Hall Killed in Car Crash During Indian Pacific Wheel Race

British cyclist Mike Hall was killed in the early hours of Friday morning after he was struck by a car during the Indian Pacific Wheel.

The Belfast Telegraph reported the remainder of the race was called off not long after Hall was hit on Monaro Highway near Williamsdale in Australian Capital Territory, with the incident reported around 6:30 a.m. local time.

Hall's death was confirmed more than six hours later in a statement from race organizers.

The 3,400-mile (5,500-kilometre) race between Perth and Sydney began on March 18. Hall was approaching Friday's finish at the Sydney Opera House in second place when the crash occurred.

Hall, 35, was born in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, and his death was referred to by race officials as "a great loss to the global cycling community," per the Belfast Telegraph's report.

Sponsors Kinesis Bikes reacted to the sudden news on Friday after Hall was confirmed as the crash victim, pointing out the Briton at least died "doing something he loved:"

Ultracyclist James Hayden set up a JustGiving page in response to Hall's death, hoping to raise money for his mother, Patricia.

Hall was tweeting throughout his Indian Pacific Wheel race and gave updates on fans in different locations, but his last few posts—in the days leading up to his death—noted a previous near-miss with a car and that he was having some issues seeing in the dark:

Belgium's Kristof Allegaert was leading the pack at the time of the crash on Friday morning and had been scheduled to reach the finish line later that day.

As noted by CyclingTips (h/t the Belfast Telegraph), Hall held the record for the fastest completion of the Trans-Am and Tour Divide bike-packing races in the United States.

A tribute ride will be held in Sydney this Sunday, per race officials.