Johnstone rides into 3rd after cycling crash | Northland News | Local News in Northland

Three days before a gruelling 110km cycling race Ben Johnstone was lying on a hospital bed with a neck brace on with massive grazes after he was knocked off his bike by a motorist.

His goal of competing in the Fred Ogle Memorial race was all but over and eight weeks of intensive training down the drain.

Even race organisers, who visited him hours after the collision in Otaika Valley Rd, didn't think the up-and-coming 15-year-old cyclist would make it to the start line.

Ben and Peter Dainty on Thursday were in a pack of six riders - their final training ride before the memorial race honouring two cyclists killed on Northland roads in 2008 - when they were hit from behind. Peter was carried on the car for about 40m before falling on to the road. Ben was flung into the air. The driver did not stop but the following day turned himself into police.

Yesterday in a huge show of strength the teenage rider dusted off his old bike, as his $10,000 competition bike was a write-off after the crash, and finished third. "I would have been a bit annoyed if I didn't make it to the start. I've been training for eight weeks," the Pompallier College student said after rolling across the finish line.

He decided to race the day before and dusted off his eight-year-old bike - which was 2kg heavier than his normal bike. "It felt like a bit of a slug."

Before starting Ben spoke with Peter who could not compete as he is still recovering from broken ribs. "We talked about what happened and reckoned we were both pretty lucky," Ben said.

Race organiser Paul Fancy was amazed Ben had done so well after visiting him in hospital earlier in the week.

"It's pretty bloody amazing. I didn't think he would race but then he turned up to get his race pack. He's fronted up and finished third ... it's a great effort," Mr Fancy said.

The incident prompted a plea from the Whangarei cycling community for drivers to learn to share the road.

At the prizegiving for the 200 riders who competed Fred Ogle and Lynley McDonald were remembered. Both died after being struck by vehicles within about five weeks of each other while out cycling in 2008.