Darren Hicks to be named in national para-cycling team just weeks after freeway truck smash charges were dropped

Adelaide cyclist Darren Hicks says he is racing with a weight off his shoulders after winning two national titles just weeks after charges against him for a freeway truck crash that killed two people were dropped.

Darren Hicks jubilates after his win in Buninyong on Saturday. Picture: Supplied.

• Darren Hicks rebuilding his life, aiming at 2020 Tokyo Paralympics
• DPP drops all charges against truck driver Darren Hicks

Adelaide cyclist Darren Hicks says he is racing with a weight off his shoulders after winning two national titles just weeks after charges against him for a freeway truck crash that killed two people were dropped.

The 34-year-old, who lost his right leg in the crash on the South Eastern Freeway in 2014 and turned to para-cycling in his recovery, on Saturday won the men’s C2 road race at the national championships in Buninyong.

It followed his gold medal on the track in Melbourne last month where he is believed to have set a sea level world record in the 3km individual pursuit.

Hicks had been charged with causing death and serious harm by dangerous driving after his sewage truck crashed into cars at the bottom of the freeway in August, 2014.

He was to stand trial but prosecutors withdrew charges and he walked from the District Court a free man last month after an expert report showed his truck’s brakes were faulty and nothing could have stopped the fatal descent.

“It’s been a weird one, I’ve always believed and maintained that I did nothing wrong, so I tried my best to live knowing that I hadn’t done anything wrong,” Hicks told the Sunday Mail on Saturday.

Hicks made it back-to-back victories in the men’s C2 road race. Picture: Supplied.

“People have said that I seem a bit chirpier so without me noticing it has lightened the load a little bit as far as stress goes.

“Always having to check in (with police) when I leave the state and things like that, stuff that doesn’t feel very nice.”

The finding paves the way for Hicks to represent Australia at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

“I couldn’t travel to Canada last year for a world cup event because they didn’t like my back story, so there is that bit of extra freedom to be able to travel and race, to finally get on with my life which is now racing my bike,” he said.

Hicks’ win in the 41km race on Saturday made it back-to-back national titles.

“It was nice to defend the title and this year I did it a bit quicker as well,” he said.

“I’m trialling different race tactics and after the climb on the first lap I dropped it down a couple of gears, hit it a bit harder than what they were going and got a gap.

It followed his impressive showing on the track last month where he won the 3km IP in 3mins 42.15secs.

“It’s hard to find because there’s not much recorded about it but we think it’s a sea level world record,” Hicks said.

“It beats the Paralympic record by 0.8 of a second and is 1.3 seconds off the world record that was set in Mexico at altitude.

“We didn’t taper or anything for it so I’m really happy.”

On Tuesday, Hicks will be named in Australia’s team for the para-cycling track world championships to be held in The Netherlands in March.

“We’ve got a training camp in Queensland a couple of weeks before that and get to ride on the Anna Meares Velodrome which will be really good, there were fast times there for Comm Games so it will be good to have a hit-out and hopefully carry the form through to track worlds.

“It’s falling into place nicely, I just hope I haven’t peaked too early.

“That’s the worst thing about doing well is you think you’ve got to do it again at the big championships.

“We’ve changed a few things as far as coaching goes, Cycling Australia released four levels of where they see you in the system and because I’m podium from results at track and road worlds last year I’m getting some extra help.

“And part of that is getting a direct CA coach rather than just SASI, so my head coach has changed and we’ve tried a few things, and it all seems to be coming together nicely. I’m looking forward to the year.”

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