The almost 4000 cyclists taking part in this year’s event, which began in Albury on Sunday, used yesterday’s rest day to regroup following the death of 65-year-old Trevor Pearce from Echuca.

Police said Mr Pearce clipped the wheels of the bike in front of him as the riders travelled on Mansfield-Whitfield Road near Barwite about 11am on Wednesday, causing him to fall onto the road.

The married father-of-two was struck by a truck travelling in the same direction and he died at the scene.

It is the second fatality during a Great Victorian Bike Ride, after a Mount Moriac mother-of-five was killed in 2005 after colliding with a four-wheel drive.

Bicycle Network chief executive officer Craig Richards said it was “a terrible tragedy”, but there was no need for any changes to the event’s safety strategies at the moment.

“There’s a lot of traffic management behind the ride and careful planning in place the whole time,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work in the lead up to make sure it’s safe.”

At present, some narrower stretches of road are temporarily closed as cyclists come through, but Mr Richards said there would not be any additional road closures for the event at this stage.

“That’s a matter for the police. And then it’s up to the coroner to recommend any changes,” he said.

“Terrible tragedies happen and this appears to be one of them ... these things happen rarely but when they do, they hit really hard.”

Thousands of cyclists took part in a memorial on Wednesday night for Mr Pearce, who Mr Richards described as a “highly valued member”.

Mr Pearce had taken part in several rides, attending each year with a group of friends he met at the event.

“Obviously for everyone at the campsite it’s a very difficult moment, the people who come on this ride are like a big family,” Mr Richards said.

“One thing they do is pull together and support each other.”