BRITISH cycling legend Brian Robinson has received £15,000 compensation after a car knocked him off his bike.

Mr Robinson was left with a fractured collarbone and ribs, a punctured lung and a deep cut to his arm when he was hit by the car during a bike ride with friends in West Yorkshire last year.

But the 84-year-old, who was the first Briton to win a Tour de France stage and still rides 80 miles a week, was back in the saddle only six weeks after the accident.

The collision happened on July 16 last year, less than a fortnight after the veteran road racer was one of the guests of honour when the Tour de France visited his home county of Yorkshire.

Mr Robinson, of Mirfield, who won his first Tour stage in 1958, was cycling with friends when the car pulled out in front of him, knocking him to the ground.

Law firm Leigh Day yesterday confirmed that he had received a £15,000 settlement for the costs of his bike and his injuries.

Mr Robinson said: "I would have preferred that it had not happened but I have been pleasantly surprised by how this incident has been handled through my British Cycling membership.

"I have had a great medical once-over and I am obviously pleased with the compensation which has enabled me to get back on my bike as quickly as possible."