Gawler East cyclist killed following crash at Rowland Flat

The cyclist who died following a crash in the Barossa was taking part in a popular festival event when the horror unfolded.

A cyclist who died in hospital after crashing his bike in the Barossa Valley was taking part in a popular cycling event, it can be revealed.

The 65-year-old man from Gawler East was riding in the La Grande Gita, a cycling event through the Barossa Valley as part of the Adelaide Italian Festival.

He was cycling on Steingarten Rd about 11.30am Sunday when the tragedy occurred near Rowland Flat.

He suffered critical injuries and was flown to Adelaide to hospital with life-threatening injuries, where he later died.

The cyclist arrives at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Picture: 7NEWS Adelaide

The man’s death is the 75th on South Australian roads this year.

The La Grande Gita starts and finishes at Calabria Family Wines near Tanunda in the Barossa Valley.

It offers four different courses in the 25km Piccolo, the 45km Mezzo, 60km Grande and 85km Mega Grande.

The Grande and the Mega Grande include Steingarten Lookout on the courses, and is a challenging gravel road climb.

It is considered a ride, not a race, and the routes are clearly marked for cyclists.

The race is promoted as a a day where “select Italian wineries will open their cellar doors for you to linger, chat with like-minded folks, flash your bike bling, and taste the bounty of the Barossa – great wines, beers and coffees, and of course fine local produce”.

Originally published as Gawler East cyclist killed following crash at Rowland Flat