Wanaka cyclist Scott Rainsford fractured two vertebrae when he crashed out of the Tour of Southland last week.
The 33-year-old is laid up in a neck brace at Southland Hospital, Invercargill, and faces a six-week recovery.
Doctors have told Rainsford he is likely to make a full "natural" recovery.
He is expected to be discharged from hospital in a few days.
Rainsford was riding in his second Tour of Southland race, as part of a five-member Fulton Hogan team.
He crashed early on Wednesday's Invercargill to Tuatapere leg.
Race riders were battling inclement weather conditions at the time, with a temp- erature of 1degC, gusty winds, plus snow, hail, and sleet.
