Latest update: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7200081/Kiwi-Pure-Black-cyclist-critical-after-hit-and-run

Poor bastard ... he comes from just down the road from my home town ... Was too young to be racing when I was there, but I remember him making a really big mark on the local scene when he started - in local "classics" like the Round the Mountain (a 160km ride around Mt Egmont - terrain not unlike the Ardennes, but with much more wind - where he finished in the top 5 as a junior) - and always being written up as a genuine, really nice guy.

Fingers are crossed for him to pull through and - as others have said - have a bit of better luck than he's had over the past couple of years! :tu

Initial reports said Torckler had suffered 20 fractures to his face and head.

Torckler has overcome adversity in the past.

A nightmare run of injuries – a broken collarbone, a bad cut to his left knee, a broken wrist and more surgery on his knee – have stalled him previously.

He broke his collarbone on stage one of the Tour of Southland in 2010, not long after winning the Wellington Classic.

On New Year's Day the following year he crashed on day one of the Tour de Vineyards in Marlborough, cutting his knee badly and breaking a bone in his wrist. Later on the knee required surgery.

The Tour of Borneo is his most notable success to date when delivering a mighty five-day performance to win Riding for the PureBlack team, Torckler held out Genesys team member Nathan Earle by six seconds after 20 hours of racing to retain the yellow jersey in the final stage of the five-day tour.

"His recovery has been absolutely amazing," Mr Torckler told the Taranaki Daily News last night.

 "Even though he looks as if he's almost dead in his bed and his face is swollen and he looks as if he's been in a boxing ring with Mike Tyson, he's reasonably comfortable."

 CT scans taken since Michael was admitted to the critical care unit showed Michael has escaped any brain injuries and he was speaking in short sentences.

"He suffered more than 20 fractures, including his forehead, his eyesockets and his nose.

 "His pain levels are almost down to zero and his sedation is zero now," Mr Torckler said.

 "He's dodged this (accident) in such an amazing way, it's nothing short of that.

 "Here's our boy that has been in terrible accident and after the swelling goes down he is going to be fine and we're away again."

 Mr Torckler said the current prognosis for his son could realistically see him discharged from hospital in 10 days.

 "Even now they are saying Michael could stand up and walk out of here breathing strongly, then we will just look after him."

No worries mate ... you're giving it a fair old burl ... and ain't doing too badly really ... Sure, you've sucked the kumara a few times, but hey, at least you've had the good sense to try to become a Kiwi rather than one of those sheep shaggers from the other side of the ditch, so we've gotta give you a couple of points for trying ...   ;D

Oh, and if it makes you feel any better - I know diddly squat about rugby ... In fact I hate the game with an absolute passion ... so you'd probably be able to have a better conversation about the game with most Kiwis than I would!  :tu