Cyclist Chris Boardman's mother Carol killed while riding bike in North Wales

Police have issued an appeal for witnesses to the road traffic collision

Chris Boardman (Getty Images)

The mother of Olmypic cyclist Chris Boardman has died after being knocked off her bike by a motorist in North Wales.

Boardman, who is credited with pioneering Britain's recent Olympic successes in the sport, said his mother Carol Boardman died in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Ms Boardman was hit by a Mitsubishi pick-up truck on a roundabout in Connah's Quay shortly before 2pm on Saturday, police said. She was taken to hospital but died of her injuries.

In a post on Twitter, Boardman said: "In the early hours of Sunday morning, our mum, Carol Boardman, died from injuries sustained in collision with a car while out riding her bike in North Wales.

"A racing cyclist of some standing in her day, she gave up competitive cycling when Lisa and I came along but she never lost her love of the bike or of competing.

"Our mum was the most positive, outgoing person you could ever hope to meet and her generosity of spirit inspired everyone she met."

North Wales Police said in a statement that officers were "were called to an RTC yesterday at 13.54hrs at the roundabout on Mold Road, Connah’s Quay with the Junction of Ffordd Llanarth".

"The collision involved a white Mitsubishi L200 pick up and a pedal cyclist. The cyclist was taken to hospital via ambulance with serious injuries, and sadly later died."

A spokeswoman for North Wales Police added: "Police are renewing their appeal for anybody who may have witnessed the collision to contact officers on 101, quoting reference number U104385."

Boardman won individual pursuit gold in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Born in Hoylake and a father of six, he has been contributing to ITV's coverage of the Tour de France.

Bob Howden, president of British Cycling - which Boardman is policy adviser to - said: "This is truly awful news and my thoughts, and those of everyone at British Cycling, are with Carol's family."

Boardman's broadcasting colleague Ned Boulting tweeted: "I'm so sorry Chris. You and your family are uppermost in our thoughts here in France."

Boardman's own statement on social media went on:

"Many of our childhood memories involve my mother and the outdoors, walking out over Hoylake sandbank, swimming in the deep gullies or hunting for fossils on Llandegla Moor in North Wales.

"Wanting to share her passion for cycling, even well into her 70s, she often took groups of young novices out on their first forays into North Wales.

"She leaves behind Keith, her partner for more than half a century, Lisa and I, and a large, loving family. We cannot yet conceive a world without her in it.

"We love you Carol, may the wind be ever at your back."