A dedicated cyclist has been killed after colliding with an HGV while taking part in time trial race in Nottinghamshire.

Andrew Ridsdale, 43, a member of Epsom Cycling Club, was pronounced dead at the scene after colliding with the lorry on the A1 near Blyth shortly before 9am on Sunday, March 18.

Mr Ridsdale had been taking part in the Trent Valley 10-mile time trial when the incident happened.

Shortly after the incident event organisers from the Trent Valley Road Club released a statement which said: "Tragedy struck at today’s open time trial. Rider Andrew Ridsdale of Epsom CC was killed in a collision with a lorry.

"Our sincere condolences go out to his family. RIP Andrew."

Mr Ridsdale, originally from North Yorkshire, had worked as a manager in the tax and savings team at Legal and General for the past seven years and moved to Epsom in 2007 for his work and joined Epsom Cycling Club.

He lived in Epsom and Kingswood for four years and took part in many club events before moving back to Yorkshire last year.

But even then he continued to cycle under the Epsom Cycling Club banner.

Bill Hill, chairman of Epsom Cycling Club said: "He told me he was moving back but I never actually got the chance to say cheerio to him.

"He was a quiet person and as far as I knew he had never been married. He was living with his mother up in Yorkshire near Huddersfield.

"He did say that his mother would be pleased when he was transferred back. He was a nice chap. Most cyclists you find you get on with as there are common interests and he was a very keen cyclist. It’s terrible."

Shaun Pycroft, from Trent Valley Road Club who organised the event, said: "This is a tragic event and one that I hope will never repeat itself.

"I did not know Andrew and never even met him on the day as I was busy with other duties.

"As a rider myself it’s very difficult when something like this happens."

A spokesperson for Legal and General said: "Andrew was a very popular member of the savings business, who will be greatly missed by his work friends and colleagues. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends."

Road safety is a major concern for cyclists with an increasing number of incidents involving lorries who often fail to see cyclists in their blind spots.

According to information released by Transport for London this week there were 4,274 reported accidents involving cyclists on London's roads between August 2010 and July 2011 with 12 resulting in the death of a cyclist, eight of which involving an HGV or large lorry.

Mr Hill added: "There are too many accidents with heavy goods vehicles.

"It’s the sort of thing that can happen to any of us, especially down here as it’s so busy. You get people charging around in their 4x4s. They slow down for the horses but with cyclists there tends to be a bit of an anti feeling.

"You feel a bit at risk where ever you go on a bike I’m afraid."

No arrests have been made but Nottinghamshire Police's crash investigation unit has launched an investigation into the death.