British ultra-endurance cycling star Mike Hall died from massive head injuries when a P-plater hit him at 100 km/h as he competed in the "Hunger Games on wheels".
Cooma man Shegu Bobb, 19 at the time, was on his way to work in the national capital when his car hit Hall on March 31 last year on the Monaro Highway in darkness at 6.22am.
Known as one of the best ultra-endurance riders in the world, Hall was running second in the inaugural Indian Pacific Wheel Race - a single-stage unsupported 5500km event from Fremantle to Sydney.
An inquest on Monday heard Hall was wearing dark clothing, with limited reflective qualities.
Mr Bobb told police he initially thought he had hit a kangaroo and had suffered significant shock and distress after the incident.
He had his headlights on low beam as he approached an intersection where the incident happened.
Police re-creations showed the bike was "virtually indistinguishable" in the dark, with the rear red light on Hall's bicycle difficult to see.
But documentary footage also played in court showed Hall and another cyclist more easily visible as they raced at night.
Mr Bobb was travelling at the speed limit of 100 km/h when he hit Hall, who was on the correct side of the road, which had a narrow verge.
Counsel assisting the coroner Ken Archer said the race had been described as a gruelling test and likened to the "Hunger Games on wheels".
An autopsy found Hall died almost instantly from major head, spinal and abdominal injuries.
"The bike was effectively impaled on the front of the car," Mr Archer said.
Senior Constable Adam Potts was questioned about a saddle bag with a reflective strip on the back of Hall's bicycle.
Senior Constable Potts said he wouldn't describe the strip as illuminating but agreed the bag had been on the bike.
The inquest heard Mr Bobb had seen a truck parked in an unusual place on the Monaro Highway.
When he refocused on the road, he saw something briefly but had no time to avoid what he believed was an animal.
No charges have been laid. Counsel assisting will not be recommending to the coroner to refer the matter to prosecutors.
Hall's death sent shock waves across the global cycling community, with thousands of riders taking part in tribute events in Australian cities, including one at the Sydney Opera House where the race was due to finish.
Hall's mother Patricia travelled to Australia to attend the three-day inquest, as did his partner Anna Haslock.
The inquest continues.
Australian Associated Press
