Driver denies causing A11 death

Zak Carr was renowned as a solo and tandem cyclist

A publican accused of causing the death of one of the UK's top cyclists may have fallen asleep at the wheel, a court has been told.

Donald Pearce, 49, of Norwich, veered into Zak Carr on the A11 near Wymondham in Norfolk, but claims he did not spot the cyclist, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Mr Carr, 30, of Attleborough, Norfolk, was cycling to work when the crash happened on 17 October, 2005

Mr Pearce denies causing Mr Carr's death by dangerous driving.

John Farmer, prosecuting, told the jury Mr Pearce and his wife had been in Turkey on a fortnight's holiday and had landed at Stansted at 0400 GMT.

'No overnight sleep'

Mr Pearce had not had an overnight sleep between leaving Turkey the night before, arriving at Stansted in the early hours, and driving back home to Norwich.

Mr Farmer said: "He then gets in the car and drives, and this is what happens.

"He is driving a car, having had no overnight sleep and no proper rest.

"He's dozed off, drifted and hit the cyclist. It may very well be that he'd got his eyes closed, he hit the cyclist and wakes up."

Mr Pearce later told police in interview that he did not see the cyclist until the last moment.

Mr Carr was one of the top three champion speed cyclists in the country.

The trial continues.