Tributes to cyclist killed near Alice Springs as driver faces court on driving, drug charges

The driver allegedly responsible for the death of a cyclist in Alice Springs has been charged with a string of drugs offences, with police alleging he also tried to hide a stash of illicit narcotics immediately after the crash.

A 57-year-old cyclist died after he was struck by a vehicle during a cycling event on Saturday morning on Darken Drive, the road into the popular Simpsons Gap tourist location.

Michael Birch, 30, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death and driving under the influence of a prohibited drug.

He has…