FOUR men have been arrested after a cyclist was left fighting for her life after being knocked off her bicycle and robbed by moped riders in north west London.

The 25-year-old woman suffered severe head injuries when she was robbed of her handbag while cycling along Harrow Road, in Maida Vale, on Saturday afternoon.

The robbers left the student for dead, lying in the busy road.

She remains in a critical condition in the intensive care unit of a west London hospital, with her family at her side.

The suspects, including an 18-year-old man, were arrested in central London today.

Police were called just after 12pm to reports of a cyclist who had been knocked off her bike and robbed near the Travis Perkins roundabout.

It's believed she had been riding towards Paddington police station when she was attacked.

She was identified after friends reported her missing to police.

DI James Raphael said: "One of our main appeals to the public was to help identify her and we are pleased to report we have now done this.

"However our investigation continues and we still need witnesses to come forward and assist us."

The cyclist, who has not been named, was descried as white, with dark brown wavy shoulder length hair.

She was wearing brown tweed trousers and a black jacket, and was riding a purple Dawes mountain bike.

Anyone with information regarding the robbery or the identity of the cyclist should call Paddington CID on 020 7321 8501 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.