Adelaide cyclist Darren Hicks lost his leg in a truck crash that killed two people and is now a track cycling world champion

Nearly five years after losing his leg in a horror truck smash that killed two people, Adelaide cyclist Darren Hicks is a world champion.

Adelaide cyclist Darren Hicks becomes world champion in the individual pursuit at the para-cycling track world championships in The Netherlands. Picture: Casey Gibson.

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Nearly five years after losing his leg in a horror truck smash that killed two people, Adelaide cyclist Darren Hicks is a world champion.

Hicks was behind the wheel of a sewage truck that ploughed into cars at the bottom of the South Eastern Freeway in August, 2014, and in The Netherlands yesterday piloted his bike to gold at the para-cycling world championships.

Hicks on the podium at the UCI para-cycling track world championships in Apeldoorn. Picture: Casey Gibson.

The right-leg amputee was last year cleared of all charges relating to the crash after an expert report showed the truck’s brakes were faulty and nothing could have stopped the fatal descent.

He was to stand trial for causing death and serious harm by dangerous driving but prosecutors withdrew the charges and he walked from the District Court a free man in December.

Having turned to cycling during his recovery from injury the 34-year-old was denied entry to Canada for a track world cup but after winning gold in the C2 individual pursuit in Apeldoorn on Thursday, he is eyeing the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

“Right now I’m feeling every emotion possible,” Hicks said.

“I’m excited and relieved and in disbelief, I can’t quite comprehend that I’ve finally got my first world championship and rainbow jersey, it’s crazy.

“It has been a full on year, it was a long, agonising, very expensive road but it’s behind me now and I can finally focus fully on my racing.

“I would like to say thanks to everyone who has helped me get to where I am today. I’m very grateful for all the opportunities I have been given and am glad I could bring home the chocolates for the first time on the big stage.”

Since the accident in 2014 Hicks has been publicly and privately supported by Jan Spiess — the widow of Tom Spiess, 56, who was killed in the smash. The other victim was Jacqui Byrne, 41.

Hicks was second fastest in qualifying with 3mins 42.7secs behind Canadian Tristan Chernove before turning the tables in the final to win gold by three seconds in 3:45.3.

“My plan for qualifying was the same as we have been working on for months, that is until I came through on my second lap six-tenths up on my schedule,” he said.

“After that it was hold on and get through those last 10 laps without blowing my left leg apart.

“The final was a chance to make right what I did wrong in the qualifier but unfortunately the tank was pretty empty from leaving it all out there on my first ride.

“So, in the end, I just settled to my schedule as best I could and tried to be as smooth as possible, the time is a little disappointing but in the end, the time doesn’t matter in a medal ride off, just as long as you cross the line first.”

Hicks who also races on the road won a national championship in January when he took gold in the road race at Buninyong but has found his calling on the velodrome.

His was one of three gold medals for Australia on the opening day of the world championships with South Australian Paige Greco and David Nicholas also claiming rainbow jerseys.

Greco, who has cerebral palsy, only started cycling two years ago and won the C3 individual pursuit in the time of 4mins 1.6secs from Germany’s Denise Schindler in their final.

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