Donegal cycling legend Joe Barr suffered an attack on Saturday afternoon while training in the county.
Barr, who just last month had a record-breaking ride across Route 66 in America, was cycling on the N14 between Letterkenny and Lifford when the incident occurred around 2.30pm,
A bucket of water was thrown over Barr, who was cycling alone at the time.
A group of men passed the 67-year-old and hung out the window dousing Barr in water.
Initially, Barr, a former professional cyclist, wasn’t sure what he had been covered in.
“I’ve been riding these roads for over 50 years, and I’ve watched that second group grow,” Barr said.
“I used to be able to proudly say that Irish roads were safe. I can’t say that anymore.
“I’d genuinely rather be chased by wild dogs in New Mexico. At least they’re just being wild dogs.”
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A spokesperson for BarrUltra said that the Newtowncunningham native, who now lives in Co Derry, didn’t know initially what had been thrown on him and was concerned it could have been bleach, beer or urine.
“Thankfully, it was only water,” the spokesperson said. “But in that split second, Joe had no way of knowing that.
“That’s the reality many cyclists now face. Thankfully, he kept the bike upright. Thankfully, the car didn’t hit him as it accelerated away, with lads hanging out of the windows laughing.”
Barr managed to pull over and a woman who witnessed the incident with her son stopped to assist.
Last month, a day before his 67th birthday, Barr completed the gruelling 2,448-mile journey across Route 66 – setting a new World record having taken 10 days, 12 hours and three minutes.
That journey, from west to east, saw him start at Santa Monica Pier and end in Navy Pier, clocking 200 miles a day and sleeping for only four hours a night.