UPDATE: 5.49pm

Anne Adams-King, Chief Executive of Welsh Cycling, said: “Everyone at Welsh Cycling has been deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our thoughts and those of the wider cycling community are with Ben’s family and friends.”

A British Cycling spokesperson said: “Fortunately, this kind of incident is rare. British Cycling takes rider safety extremely serious and it remains the most important priority at any event.

“We join with our colleagues at Welsh Cycling in offering our sympathies to his friends and family.

UPDATE: 5.14pm

GWENT police this afternoon confirmed that Cardiff cyclist Ben Carroll, died today after a head-on collision with a van last night.

Mr Carroll, 26, from Cardiff, was taken to the Abergavenny’s Nevill Hall Hospital with serious injuries and died today after hitting a van near the finish of the 45-mile Abergavenny Handicap road race.

An eyewitness described how cyclists had been racing with up to six side-by-side as they headed towards the finish line.

Another man described how bikes were "flying through the air" and riders falling off their bikes as they broke to avoid the vehicle.

The Abergavenny Handicap is a 45-mile race open to any competitor with a race licence and around 70 people were taking part in the circuit down the A40 between the town and Raglan and Abergavenny.

Rachel James, sister of Olympic hero Becky James was at the finish line. She said: "I didn’t see the actual crash, but it is awfully sad, terrible. We are all devastated, but I hope the event can continue."

An eyewitness expressed his disbelief that the road remained open as the race took place, with riders racing with up to six side-by-side down the A40. He said: "I’m not sure if anyone was to blame, but the road should have been closed."

Despite the accident, today’s hill climb trial is set to go ahead tonight as planned and organisers said those scheduled for the rest of the week will take place as planned.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the collision and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact them on 101 and quote log number 576 9/7/13.

UPDATE: 5.05pm

Gareth James, brother of Abergavenny’s double World champion Becky James, was one of those riding the event.

On Twitter he spoke of the chaos that unfolded.

"First bike race in two years. First crash on the road ever. Some boys sprinting on the opposite side of the road into traffic. Hit a van and took about 10 riders out."

He went on to say he was sore all over but had got off lightly grazing his hip and knee.

Like many others on Facebook and Twitter Mr James described the scene as shocking and said he had seen a lot of blood.

UPDATE: 4.44pm

THE second cyclist injured in yesterday's Abergavenny crash is recovering, his coach said.

Dan Taylor, 33, from Abertillery, who was a couple of bicycles back from Mr Carroll when the accident happened was also taken to hospital after suffering a nose injury.

His coach at the Rhondda-based cycling club Acme Wheelers, Dave Roberts said he was too shaken to speak after being released from Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital where he received stitches in a nose wound.

Mr Roberts said he had been a couple of bicycles behind Mr Carroll and "broke sharply" after the van collision occurred.

He added: "Dan took avoiding action, but went over his handle bars after breaking. He was okay, but another bicycle went flying through the air from behind him and hit him on the head."

UPDATE: 2.35pm

The cyclist injured in last night's crash has died, his cycling club have said.

A statement on Cardiff Ajax Cycling club's website stated:

"It is with great sadness that the Club informs that Ben Carroll was killed in an incident in the Abergavenny Handicap Race last night. Our condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to Ben’s family and friends. We would greatly appreciate it if there could be no speculation about this tragic incident and allow the Police, Welsh Cycling and the race organisers the opportunity to investigate the matter. More news will be given as appropriate. Thank you for your understanding.Tony."

UPDATE: 1.07pm

A spokesman for the Abergavenny Fesitval of Cycling spoke of their sadness at the crash which left one cyclist critically injured last night.

He said: "It is with deep regret that the Abergavenny Fesitval of Cycling has heard about an incident that happened during Tuesday's Handicap Race

"Festival organiser Bill Owen said: “This is a terrible incident and our thoughts go out to the family and friends of the people involved in it.”

"As this event was organised by local clubs despite appearing on the Festival calendar of races, all enquiries should be directed to Welsh Cycling on 01633 670542.

He said the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling will be making no further comment on this matter.

UPDATE: 10.54am

Police say the collision was between two cyclists and a van on the Old Raglan Road (A40) between the Steelhorse Cafe and the Hardwick Roundabout at 8.50pm

The collision happened as the cyclists were riding toward the Abergavenny area and the van was travelling in the opposite direction.

One of the cyclists, a 26-year old man from Cardiff, was injured and is currently in a critical condition at Nevill Hall Hospital. The other cyclist, a 33-year-old man from Abertillery received minor injuries.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the collision and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward and contact them on 101 and quote log number 576 9/7/13.

UPDATE: 9.50am

A Welsh Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 8.58pm Tuesday to reports of a road traffic collision on the A40 near Raglan, involving a cyclist.

"We sent a Rapid Response Vehicle and an Emergency Ambulance to the scene, and a male patient with a serious head injury was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital in Abergavenny."

UPDATE: 9.10am

A CYCLIST is in a critical condition after a head-on collision with a vehicle in Abergavenny yesterday.

The incident happened during an event relating to the Abergavenny Festival of Cycling.

A spokesman for Gwent Police said the cyclist is critical condition in hospital following a collision with a vehicle.

More to follow.