LONDONDERRY — Two local cyclists were taken to the hospital Sunday morning after their bikes collided during a bike race.

Shortly after 9:30 a.m. on Sunday morning, local police and fire officials responded to reports of the incident at 23 Grenier Field Road, the site of the town's cycling park.

According to Fire Capt. Doug Cardwell, four cyclists were involved in the crash, and two of them were transported to Elliot Hospital in Manchester. The other two were treated at the scene for cuts and scrapes.

Officials believe that the crash was caused when one cyclist lost control of his bike, causing another cyclist to run into him, which led to a small pileup involving other racers.

The bikes were believed to have been travelling about 35 mph at the time of the collision.

Names of the four crash victims weren't immediately available, though Cardwell said the injuries weren't life threatening. One of the cyclists was believed to have a broken nose and collarbone.

“This wasn't like an accident on the interstate,” said Cardwell. “These men were all professional cyclists, and this was an organized race. Everyone was wearing helmets and safety gear.”

The Grenier Field racing course dates to the 1940s and was initially used for “midget” cars under the name of the Manchester Motordrome.

The track sat unused for decades before local racing fans gave it new life as the Londonderry Raceway, a haven for go-karts and racing cars, in the late 1990s.

Several years ago, the track was yet again transformed into the Northeast Velodrome and Cycling Park.

aguilmet@newstote.com