Mourners at the funeral of Scotland's former Commonwealth Games cyclist Jason MacIntyre were told on Wednesday: "We have lost a hero."

MacIntyre, described as one of Scotland's finest cyclists, was a three-time British champion and a time-trial and road specialist. He competed for Scotland at the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

MacIntyre was hit by a van on the A82 near Fort William in the Highlands on January 15.

The 34-year-old was taken to the town's Belford Hospital where he later died.

More than 400 family, friends and figures from the cycling world packed into Duncansburgh Parish Church for his funeral service.

During the service, Bob Taylor, a fellow cyclist and close friend of the family, paid tribute to MacIntyre.

He said: "He was our champion and to see him in full flight in his British champion's jersey was awesome.

"Jason was all ready for 2008. It was a big year for him and he had big goals.

"He was a dedicated guy and he trained hard.

"Fort William has lost a champion, Scottish cycling has lost a champion, British cycling has lost a champion and we have lost a hero."

MacIntyre's widow, Caroline, and their eight-year-old twin daughters, Chloe and Morgan, sat at the front of the church during the service.

A photo of MacIntyre in cycling gear was propped against the altar.

His coffin stood in front, topped by a white bouquet of flowers with a blue bicycle imprinted on it.

Among the mourners were former world champion cyclist Graham Obree and representatives from Scottish Cycling, the sport's governing body.

Reverend Donald MacQuarrie, who led the service, praised MacIntyre for not putting his ambition ahead of his family.

He said: "You need that something extra to reach world class and he had it, though most of us didn't realise it.

"In his own way and with dogged determination, he reached the top and he loved it.

"But there was Jason the family man and, while others who had a driving ambition to get to the top would have carried on even at the expense of their family, not Jason.

"Jason stopped cycling and committed himself to the twins when they came into the world, and that's what I call real dedication.

"We honour Jason in the dedication that he made to put those years aside and dedicate himself to his family and his children and then he came back stronger than ever.

"He was a wonderful dad, husband and best friend to Caroline."

Mr MacQuarrie also read a letter that Mrs MacIntyre wrote to her husband in which she described how she came to share his interest in cycling.

It read: "I started off knowing nothing about bikes or racing, but that didn't last long and I was soon just as hooked as you were.

"I will miss our chats about your turbo sessions. You always said pain was never an issue, it was all in your head."

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