Cyclist in run-in with Shane Warne hits back at road rash claims

Melbourne, Jan 18 (ANI): The cyclist who was allegedly involved in a confrontation with Shane Warne in Melbourne yesterday has come out with his version of the events, and claimed that it was the spin bowler who had displayed aggressive behaviour.

The man, who asked to remain anonymous, claims that at no point did he 'thump' or 'whack' Warne's Mercedes coupe.

Instead, the 28-year-old claims the cricketer yelled at him and ran into his bike, causing so much damage that he was forced to carry it to the side of the road and could not ride it home.

He has even circulated pictures of the damage to his bike, and called for Warne to pay for the repairs.

In a detailed email outlining his version of events, the cyclist questioned why Warne did not stop to exchange details with him, given that the spin king tweeted furiously about the collision a short time later.

He has appealed directly to the bowler to reconsider his public outburst.

"Shane, please acknowledge that you made a mistake and pay for my bike. I'll be donating yesterday's pay to the Amy Gillett foundation to do my bit - it would be great if you did the same," the Age quoted the email as saying.

The cyclist claims he immediately went to a police station to report the incident, and a Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed the complaint had been made.

"Police have been made aware of an incident involving a cyclist and a motorist near the intersection of Toorak and St Kilda roads," the spokeswoman said.

"Both parties have been spoken to and civil action has been advised," she said.

In a Twitter rage unleashed last night, Warne claimed the cyclist grabbed on to the back of his car to hitch a free ride through the traffic lights. The cyclist had then pulled himself in front of the traffic and hit the bonnet of Warne's car with his hand as he passed, Warne said.

However the cyclist in question said that at no point did he grab on to Warne's car.

He said he and 10 other cyclists were trying to squeeze through traffic banked up at an intersection after the traffic light in their lane had turned green when Warne yelled at him "What are you doing? You don't own the road! Get out of the way."

"I shook my head and probably yelled something similarly inane back," the cyclist wrote.

"Now even more agitated the driver continued to yell, 'You don't own the road'. I looked more closely and recognised him as Shane Warne, laughed and asked, 'What are you doing?' and began to get ready to clip into my bike to continue the ride home.

"But before I could the driver lurched his car forward forcing my bike wheel and almost my leg under the front of his car," he said.

He said he was 'dumbfounded' by what he considered to be Warne's aggression.

"I'd had no intention of making any of this public - I simply wanted deal with it privately and ask him to repair my bike. However Mr Warne, the public man that he is, seemed to want the whole thing in plain view," the cyclist wrote in his email.

He said co-operation on roads was a serious issue that should be addressed.

Warne tweeted that he was aware the cyclist had responded.

"Have just seen bike riders version of events, please buddy - whatever ! I'm not going to get into a 5 year old tit for tat..[sic]," Warne said in his tweet.

"Ps we both know what happened and people next to me shook their head at your actions ! Enough - all move on please !

"I'm concerned that the Govt are not addressing the situation and are not prepared to show common sense and make it safe for everyone Over and out," he said.

The cyclist said that he reported the matter to police for insurance purposes, and did not want to get into a legal battle with the cricketer. (ANI)