A driver who allegedly targeted a pack of Victorian cyclists by swerving into the lead rider is "cowardly", police say, amid fears the hit-run offender could strike again.
The 13 cyclists were travelling in the bicycle lane along the Nepean Highway in Mornington, south of Melbourne, about 4am (AEDT) yesterday, when a dark coloured EA or EB Ford clipped the first rider.
The cyclists had started out early to take part in the Around The Bay In A Day ride.
Senior Constable Danny Lean of Mornington Police said the lead cyclist was clipped by the car, causing a domino effect causing two other cyclists to fall.
The first cyclist suffered minor injuries and abrasions and his bike frame snapped, so he could not continue. The other 12 riders were shaken, but continued with their ride.
"The allegation is that the vehicle's targeted the riders ... then the vehicle's just continued on," Sen Const Lean said.
"It's a pretty cowardly act, it's just lucky it didn't turn into serious injuries or even fatalities."
No further details are known about the car or its passengers, except that the licence plate number started with EVK or EVQ.
"Because of the time of the morning, because it was like 4am and that area of the road's quite dark, there was mention that it was two males but that's about all we've got at this stage."
Sen Const Lean is concerned there's people out there who would deliberately target cyclists.
"It could be a disaster waiting to happen, if somebody hits a person like this at another time, it could end up being a fatality for no apparent reason.
"People do get frustrated with cyclists on the road, there are cyclists out there who don't obey the road rules, don't stay in their designated lanes.
"We all bloody get jacked off with it because the cyclists are on the road and they are travelling two or three or four abreast chatting away to each other, but it doesn't justify the behaviour that's happened in the early hours of Sunday morning."
Sen Const Lean appealed for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has any information, to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au.
