A cyclist has been killed in a fatal crash between their bike and a motor vehicle on the Monaro Highway at about 6.25am Friday.
The male cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The driver of the vehicle was in shock and being treated at hospital, police said, noting alcohol and speeding had been ruled out as factors in the collision.
Participants in the Indian Pacific Wheel Race, a cycling race from Perth to Sydney, were cycling on the Monaro Highway on Friday morning.
It has not been officially confirmed it was a race participant who was killed, but race organisers said they were working with authorities to investigate the incident.
"We will cooperate fully with official investigations and we intend to undertake a detailed investigation of our own," a statement said.
"Race organisers will provide more information when it becomes available."
Competitor Jackie Bernardi said on Facebook she was speechless there had been an accident.
"I'm going to ride over to Bright and chill out there for a bit. Turning tracker off," Ms Bernardi wrote.
Another competitor, Stuart Edwards, wrote on Facebook that he would be pulling out of the race after he received news of the death.
"I've decided I won't play with the cars any longer, my days of riding long distance on roads are over I reckon," Mr Edwards wrote.
"I'm sitting by the side of the road in tears."
Police said passers-by had come across the crash and stopped to help but were unable to save the cyclist.
"[The driver] will be spoken to later by our Crash Investigation Reconstruction Team," Sergeant Meagher said.
"It [was] early in the morning, it [was] dark; there was no fog at the time."
"I can suggest given the nature of the collision an investigation into the circumstances would suggest the rider of the push bike died at the scene."
The Monaro Highway was closed with traffic diversions in place for over five hours after the crash, but has since reopened.
Sergeant Meagher praised the bystanders who stopped to help, and implored Canberrans to drive safely and be aware of vulnerable road users.
More to come.