Australian cyclist killed in Germany

Australian cyclist Amy Gillett was killed and five other members of the Australian women's road cycling team were badly hurt when they were hit by a car while training in Germany yesterday.

Gillett, a former Olympic rower for Australia, was killed when a car struck the six riders near the German town of Zeulenroda, about 80 km south of Leipzig, on Monday.

The injured cyclists were named as Katie Brown, Lorian Graham, Kate Nichols, Louise Yaxley and Alexis Rhodes.

Cycling Australia spokeswoman Gennie Sheer told Australian television that at least one of the riders was in a critical condition and three others had serious injuries.

The team had been riding the course for the opening time trial of the Tour of Thuringen when the car hit the cyclists, officials said.

Gillett was a member of Australia's World Cup and Commonwealth Games teams and took up competitive cycling in 2000 after she rowed for Australia at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where she was a member of the eight that finished fifth.