Two of the country’s top downhill mountain bike racers have been killed in a car crash.

Saltaire-based Tom Rodgers, 21, and his friend, 18-year-old Ben Ineson, died when their Peugeot 306 crashed into a wall and hedge on the A65 at Long Preston near Skipton.

Mr Rodgers had worked for All Terrain Cycles for more than four years – both at its original shop in Cross Hills, near Skip-ton, and after its move to Salts Mill. He was the 2007 Senior English Champion downhill champion and this year was riding for the All Terrain Cycles team in the elite division.

He had just returned from New Zealand where he had been competing. His younger brother, Ben, 18, also a downhill racer, is still in New Zealand. His parents, teachers, Keith and Sue, who have a home in Langcliffe, near Settle, are understood to be working abroad. They last saw their sons at Christmas time.

Work colleagues at the Salts Mill-based cycle company were in a state of disbelief yesterday at the death of their “full on and unforgettable” friend.

Company boss Tony Booth said: “It is horrendous. Two of their friends have been up to the site already to pay their respects.

“Tom was such a full-on person, full of life. He lived for racing, everything was about bikes.

“He was a very good worker and ran the race team.

“It is sadly fatalistic because Tom had curtailed his New Zealand trip and was not actually due to come back until March to start the new season.”

It was Mr Rodgers’ dedication which helped forge the team’s success, said Mr Booth.

“All the momentum and enthusiasm came from Tom,” he said.

Ben had been a member of the All Terrain Cycles team last year. There was talk about him getting semi-sponsorship this year and he was looking for a new team, Mr Booth added.

The youngest of four children, Ben is the son of Sally and Mick Ineson, of Selside, near Settle, and was ranked number one in the junior section of British Cycling’s Downhill Mountain-bike Championship. Last summer he competed in Canada and Slovenia as well as in the UCI World Cup in Scotland.

“This is a big loss to everyone who knew them,” said Mr Booth.

He said the firm was considering how to progress with the team but believed the two friends would want it to continue.

North Yorkshire Police said Mr Rodgers was driving the red Peugeot 306 car which came off the road and crashed into a wall and hedge at 1.30pm on Wednesday. It is understood the car had been travelling away from Settle when the accident happened near Mearbeck – bet-ween Settle and Long Preston.

Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone who saw the car beforehand should contact Traffic Constable Mark Tiffany at Skipton police on 0845 6060 247.