Bicyclist from Spain injured after being hit by car on K-254

Please do not come to the defense of the driver. There is never ANY reason for a driver of an automobile to not pay full attention to the privilege of operating his/her vehicle. This is a full-time job and deserves your full and undivided attention and there are SIMPLY NO EXCUSES so don't dare think of defending shear and utter stupidity. As an 8-time Race Across America participant (crew member) I can tell all of you that we have copious vehicular markings, lights, etc. and a vehicle directly behind the rider AT ALL TIMES. For a driver to exit his lane and move to the shoulder is either intentional or absolutely pure stupidity, but either way this individual does not possess the intelligence to capably operate a motor vehicle. There is NEVER ANY EXCUSE to strike a cyclist especially when there were such clear and obvious warnings letting motorists know that the event was in progress and to keep their collective eyes open. It is time we as American citizens quit making excuses for the inexcusable actions of others, stand up and take responsibility for our actions, and suffer the consequences. Period. If we want to gripe about our dependence on foreign oil, then don't complain about people on bicycles when we are the ones contributing to the solution not only of oil dependence, but also clean air, and mainly our own health (as long as we don't get killed). This is coming from someone dealing with the long-term effects of a broken-spine after being run down by a pizza delivery driver who ran a red light.... I would suggest that this person have his car taken away and sentenced to cycling for ten to twenty years (yes, I know, innocent until proven guilty. But let me think, we have a cyclist in the hospital, and a smashed windshield on the right side of the car...two plus two equals what?).

Hate that the rider got hurt and hope that he fully recovers, but let's also wait until we find more information on what happened. At that time in the morning the sun would be directly in a drivers eyes making it harder to see anybody. Maybe the driver was doing something to distract them, but it also could be a case of being blinded by the sun, the driver maybe going a little to the right and the rider and litle to the left.

I HAVE A GOOD IDEA WHY A DRIVER WOULD LEAVE THE ROADWAY, IT'S CALLED BRUSHING, THEY ARE TRYING TO SCARE THE HELL OUT OF THE CYCLIST, THEY THINK IT'S FUNNY.

Was the driver of the car texting?

The RAAM is a race that the participates train many years to do. It is a very long and tough race. Did the driver not see the support team and realize that something is going on? What was so important in the car that distracted the driver? I hope the bicyclist is okay and that KSN keeps us informed on his condition. Drivers, please keep an eye out this week for the remaining participants that will be traveling across Kansas. They are a talented group of riders and this is a very hard race. I was lucky one year to talk to some of the racers and to hear what they endure just to complete is race is awesome.