Olympic gold medallist Joanna Rowsell knocked off bike in Rochdale

Photo: Bart Hazen

Joanna Rowsell

Olympic cycling gold medallist Joanna Rowsell  was hit by a car while out cycling in Milnrow on Saturday (6 April).

The Great Britain star  suffered cuts and bruises during the accident.

Rowsell, 24, told her Twitter followers: “First time for everything. Been a cyclist for nearly 9 yrs & never been knocked off by a car until this morning. Bike came off worst.”

She added: “I am OK, no serious injuries just cuts and bruises. Take care out there people x.”

Rowsell won team pursuit gold at the London Olympics along with Laura Trott and Dani King.

She also won gold in the event at the 2008, 2009 and 2012 World Championships.

Along with her Olympic team-mates, Rowsell has now switched her focus to road racing as part of a new women's race team.

However, she is not competing with Trott and King in the current Energiewacht Tour in the Netherlands.

Rowsell is the latest in a series of Olympic cycling stars to collide with cars on Greater Manchester roads.