A cyclist died instantly when he was hit from behind by a car as he rode to work.

Derek Cummins was an extremely fit 62-year-old former soldier and keen cyclist, a court heard.

He made the round trip between his home in Goring, near Worthing, and his work in Southwater, near Horsham, every day.

He died after he was struck by Christian Clarke's Audi as it entered the A24 from a slip road at Ashington at up to 60mph.

Clarke, 33, of Turnpike Way, Ashington, denies causing death by dangerous driving.

Witnesses said the impact hurled Mr Cummins into the air and his bike "exploded" into pieces.

Alan Kent, prosecuting, said: "Mr Cummins was an exceptionally fit and strong man.

"He was a keen cyclist and was always very careful on the roads.

"Mr Cummins was wearing a florescent yellow cycling shirt to make him visible to other road users.

"He was not wearing a crash helmet but, in the circumstances, it is unlikely that it would have made any difference to the outcome if he had.

"Mr Cummins was thrown into the air by the impact and rolled along the carriageway, coming to rest some 50 yards away.

"The defendant's car stopped approximately 100 yards up the road.

"Witnesses called the police but it was plain, unfortunately, that Mr Cummins had died probably instantaneously from his injuries at the scene."

Mr Cummins' family listened from the public gallery at Hove Crown Court yesterday.

Mr Kent said Clarke had not broken the speed limit, had not been drinking and there were no mechanical faults with his Audi A4.

He told police he had left his home in Ashington to drive to work at Haywards Heath at 6.30am on May 26,last year.

Mr Kent told the jury:

"During the interview Clarke said he had hit Mr Cummins and had not seen him.

"He was distraught and said he felt physically sick.

"He asked about Mr Cummins' family. He was concerned for them and became upset during the interview.

"You may think the impact of what happened has not only been significant on the Cummins family but also on the defendant himself.

"However, you should put any sympathy or emotion you may feel for them to one side and judge this case solely on the facts."

Motorist John Smith said he was driving north on the A24 towards Horley when the crash happened.

He said: "I was 200 yards to 300 yards away from the Ashington slip road when I first saw the cyclist.

"He was wearing something lime green or florescent yellow.

"The Audi accelerated up the slip road at between 50mph and 60mph and hit the cyclist."

Mr Smith told the court: "The rider was thrown up in the air and the bike exploded into bits and pieces as a result of the impact.

"The Audi stopped and I stopped my car and phoned the police.

"I asked the driver if he was all right and then went back to the body on the carriageway.

"Someone else was there checking for vital signs."

The trial continues.