Driver error has been blamed for the car crash which claimed the lives of two world-class downhill mountain bike riders.

Skipton Coroner’s Court today heard Saltaire-based Tom Rodgers, 21, and his best friend, 18-year-old Ben Ineson, died instantly when their Peugeot 306 hit a tree at the side of the A65 near Long Preston on Wednesday, January 14.

Investigating officer Graham McCullouch said Tom, who was the driver and had owned the car for just two weeks, took the bend too fast and lost control of the vehicle which struck the tree on the passenger side before ending up in a nearby field. No other vehicle was involved and driving conditions were reasonable.

The best pals, who met at Settle College, both suffered fractured skulls and severe brain injuries.

Before recording a verdict of accidental death on the men, coroner Geoff Fell said: “Tom was doing less than 60mph but even so he was driving faster than he should have been doing and made an error of judgement.”

Tom, of Langcliffe, worked for All Terrain Cycles for four years at Cross Hills, near Keighley, and after its move to Salts Mill. He was the 2007 Senior English Downhill Champion.

Ben, formerly of Selside, near Settle, was the top tanked British junior in his sport.

Speaking after the inquest Ben's mother Sally, 52, said donations collected at his funeral would be used to pay for a trophy she and her husband Mick planned to present to the junior winner of the Scottish Downhill Mountain Bike Championship on Sunday.

The mother-of-four said: “Ben was just so full of life and lived for every moment. He had 18 years of playtime and was a world-class mountain bike rider. We really miss him.”

Tom's parents, who are teachers, live abroad and did not attend the inquest.