A personal chef to one of Canada’s highest ranking diplomats claims he was pushed into oncoming traffic by an angry motorist as he cycled home from work.

Fresh from a 14-hour shift serving Canada’s High Commissioner, 46-year-old Gavin Sayer says he was cut up by a blue Ford Focus on the final leg of his journey in Finchley Road.

Mr Sayer says he asked the driver, thought to be in his early 20s, if he had not seen him. The man then stepped out of his car and swung punches at Mr Sayer, he said.

The driver trashed his expensive bike and then began pushing the chef into the busy dual carriageway, he said.

“Because I was in my cycling shoes it was like being on roller blades, so I was just going further and further back as he pushed me towards oncoming traffic,” said Mr Sayer, of Crewys Road in Childs Hill.

“That’s when I decided enough was enough. I have three children at home and I wanted to get back to them so I managed to get him to the ground.”

Mr Sayer had finished work at the embassy in Grosvenor Square, Mayfair, and was heading home “lit up like a Christmas tree” in a fluorescent jacket, lights on the front and back of his bicycle and on the spokes of his wheels.

Handlebars

He says he had been looking forward to relaxing ahead of his birthday when a vehicle cut across him, forcing him to break violently.

The incident happened on March 28 at about 10.30pm at the junction of Hendon Way and Finchley Road in Fortune Green.

Though the 6ft 2in chef says he managed to deflect his assailant’s blows, the handlebars of his bike were bent out of shape.

Mr Sayer, who worked for the British embassy in New Zealand before coming to the UK, still managed to take part in a 100km bike ride a few days later in Canterbury despite the damage to his bike.

He wants to see the attacker brought to justice as he fears he could strike again and his next victim might not be so lucky.

“If this guy has done it once he will do it again,” said Mr Sayer. “It’s all right when you’re 6ft 2in, but if you’re some poor old boy trying to defend yourself it’s not nice. It’s never nice and I want the police to track him down.”

The suspect is described as white, 5ft 8ins, of large build and brown hair. He was wearing a brown T-shirt and jeans.

Police are appealing for witnesses. Call them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 if you have information.