Wichita ? A Spanish cyclist taking part in a cross-country race is in a Wichita hospital after being struck by a car.

The Kansas Highway Patrol says a distracted driver is to blame for the accident that injured Diego Ballesteros Cucurull on Wednesday morning.

The patrol says Ballesteros was riding along U.S. 254 in Sedgwick County when he was hit by an eastbound car that veered onto the shoulder.

KAKE-TV reported that Ballesteros was upgraded Wednesday afternoon to serious condition at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.

Ballesteros was taking part in Race Across America, a team endurance race from California to Maryland.