Norwegian Federation alleges female cyclist ‘deliberately hit’ by police car

Controversies surrounding the 2016 UCI Road World Championships, held at the Pearl Qatar last month, do not seem to end.

The competition bad been criticised both abroad (for the extreme heat) and at home (inconvenience caused to residents at The Pearl).

Now, the Norwegian Cycling Federation has alleged that a police car deliberately struck down one of its cyclists — Susanne Andersen.

She was allegedly struck by the vehicle while riding back to the team hotel from the junior women’s time trial, reported cyclingnews.com.

The incident was not made public at the time for fear the cyclist would not be able to leave the country due to the case’s progression.

“We were encouraged not to report the case to the police, and told that (if we did) we would not then be allowed out of the country. We thought it was best that Susanne came home,” said the team’s Director of Sport Hans Falk.

Though Andersen escaped relatively unhurt, her bike was totally destroyed.

Falk alleged that the police officer deliberately struck the cyclist down.

“I’m convinced that it was a deliberate action by the policeman who drove right into Susanne. I cannot say for sure, but there were no skid marks, and he showed no empathy. Instead he lit a cigarette and talked on the phone oblivious to the girl who was lying on the ground and screaming,” he said.

The International Cycling Union said “The situation was handled at the time, and reported on to the public authorities via the local organising committee.”