36-year-old bicyclist killed, one other 40-year-old bicyclist seriously injured, transported to hospital, after they are rear-ended by a car on Chef Menteur Highway in New Orleans.

A 36-year-old bicyclist died after being hit by a car in eastern New Orleans on Friday morning. Another bicyclist, who was 40 years old, was taken to a hospital in serious condition, said Officer Frank Robertson III, a spokesman for the New Orleans Police Department.

Both bikers were practicing for the Ironman competition being held in New Orleans on April 13.

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. in the 20000 block of Chef Menteur Highway, and caused closures in both directions until at least 2:20 p.m., police said.Police said the driver of a white Chevy Cruze was traveling eastbound in the right lane of Chef Menteur Highway when, for unknown reasons, he rear-ended the cyclists. They were traveling in the same direction.

No arrests had been made Friday evening, police said.

Fatality Investigator Kevin Thompson is in charge of the investigation.

Authorities did not release the deceased man's identity, pending notification of his family.