Adelaide Now: Jongewaard cleared to travel

Star Australian cyclist Chris Jongewaard has been cleared to travel to the United States to take up a new professional contract after a court today varied bail conditions on dangerous driving charges. Jongewaard, 27, appeared before the Adelaide Magistrates Court over a road crash which left fellow cyclist Matthew Rex in hospital in a serious condition earlier this month. He has been charged with causing injury by dangerous driving, driving in a manner dangerous and driving without due care in relation to the incident near Normanville.

Rex was placed in an induced coma in the Flinders Medical Centre after allegedly being knocked from his bike while riding along Main South Road. A hospital spokesman said today the 22-year-old had since been roused and was now in a stable condition. Defence lawyer Stephen Ey today requested Jongewaard be able to travel to the US to continue his riding career.

The application was not contested and was formally approved by Magistrate David Gurry. Changes to Jongewaard’s bail conditions will allow him to continue riding with the Jittery Joes team. He also intends to race in Europe later this year, including an appearance at the World Mountain Bike Championships. But Jongewaard must return to Adelaide on June 15 to answer the charges against him.

Jongewaard has been a leading mountain bike rider in Australia for several years winning the national championship in 2005 and finishing fourth in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne last year. In road cycling his best performance was second overall in the Herald Sun Tour in Victoria late last year while he also finished 31st overall in the Tour Down Under in Adelaide last month. Police will present declarations in the case to the court on May 11.