A top Australian cyclist who was knocked off his bike in a freak accident last weekend may never walk again.

Paul Crake, a member of his country’s 2004 world road championship, was among a group of riders who crashed to the ground when a powerful wind gust hit them during a race in New Zealand.

He underwent surgery in Christchurch but has been unable to move his legs and doctors say the paralysis may be permanent. "They're not saying never but I mean it's serious and obviously only time will tell," said ACT Cycling Federation president Steve Blair. "From the moment he regained consciousness he hasn't been able to feel his legs and it's likely that he won't regain the use of them."

Crake's parents, Peter and Elizabeth, released a statement in Australia saying their son was alert and aware of his situation. "Despite the brutality of the situation Paul has been spared and we still have our son. He is still very much the Paul that everybody knows, loves and admires," they said.

Before switching to cycling in 2002, Crake was a stair-climbing champion. He had five straight victories in the annual sprint to the top of New York's Empire State Building between 1999 and 2003 and still holds the record for the fastest ascent of the 86 flights of stairs (1,576 stairs) of nine minutes 33 seconds.