A HAMPSHIRE cycling fanatic died when he rode his bike into the back of a parked van, an inquest heard.

Christopher Johnson-Newell was travelling at more than 20mph when he ploughed into the rear doors of the white Volkswagen LT35 van.

Southampton Coroner's Court heard that Mr Johnson-Newell, a keen cyclist, had probably been riding with his head down when the accident took place.

The refrigerated van, driven by Leslie Pezet, was parked with a third of it on the grass verge at the side of the B3055, around half a mile from Hatchet Pond near Beaulieu.

Mr Pezet had pulled over to listen to a voicemail when he heard a loud bang come from the back of the van.

The court heard that when he went to the back of the van he found Mr Johnson-Newell lying on the road.

"He was obviously seriously injured," investigating officer PC Paul Townend told the court.

"There was quite a dent in the van. It was quite apparent what had happened."

PC Townend said that the cycling group, which rides every Saturday morning through the New Forest, had been cycling from Brockenhurst to Beaulieu.

He explained that the group of around 40 cyclists had split into fast and slow groups, and Mr Johnson-Newell had been cycling with two other riders along the road.

Accident investigator PC David Whiting told the court that the impact had dented and forced one of the rear doors forward into the van and left scuff marks on the rear bumper.

The headstock of Mr Johnson-Newell's Lightspeed Vortex professional racing bike had snapped free from the downtube in the accident.

PC Whiting told the court that it was likely Mr Johnson-Newell, of Vicarage Drive, Hedge End, had his head down while riding.

"The cause of this accident is most likely to be due to inattention of the rider and his riding position," he said.

He added that the road was straight and clear, and the van must have been visible for around 30 seconds before it was hit.

Speaking outside the court, Mr Johnson-Newell's brothers, David and Duncan, said that cycling was his passion.

"It was a big passion for him," David said. "He also raised thousands of pounds for the British Heart Foundation by doing charity bike rides."

Duncan added that a planned ride with Mr Johnson-Newell from John O'Groats to Land's End would now be going ahead in his memory.

The post mortem showed Mr Johnson-Newell, 55, had dislocated his neck, fractured his ribs and sustained brain damage as a result of the accident, which happened on May 19.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.