The 44-year-old from Porthcawl, who won two Paralympics gold medals and a silver at Beijing in 2008 broke his back in two places, fractured his pelvis and sustained deep cuts to his legs after he was hit by a while van last week while on his bike on the A48 near Bridgend.

He was quickly taken to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff via air ambulance but he has now in a stable condition at has been able to speak to his wife Amanda who remains at his bedside.

"I'd like to thank everyone in the cycling community and other well-wishers for their messages of support for Simon," said Amanda in a statement.

"He will be heartened to know that people are extending their positive thoughts and encouragement to him during this difficult time."

A 59-year-old van driver from Cowbridge has been released on bail after he was arrested and questioned by police but he has not been named.

"Although Simon wasn't currently within the GB Paralympics performance programme, the times and training that he had been putting in up until now were certainly making him a very top contender to be considered for the London 2012 Paralympics," said his sponsor and friend Phil Jones.

"But he has shown great courage and determination in the past and he will meet this latest challenge head-on.

"Amanda is incredibly resilient and she has been at his bedside throughout."

Doctors are still assessing the best course of treatment and operations Richardson must undergo with the accident being the second time he has suffered such an accident, the first in 2001.

Richardson was seriously injured in cycling incident with a car while out with friends from a cycling club which left him with serious leg and back injuries and no feeling down his left hand side and Gareth Sheppard, the Paralympic performance manager for British Cycling, has called for increased awareness of cyclists from all road users.

"It's really sad that someone's life could be threatened by someone not taking care and attention on the road," said Sheppard.

"You've got little protection as a cyclist because you are so exposed.

"We very much want to make sure racing and cycling in general on the road is safe and there does need to be a Government-backed campaign on the issue."

Following his first car accident in 2001, Richardson continued to cycle after doctors recommended it would aid his rehabilitation - using a specially adapted bike powered only by his right leg.

He made his disability sport debut in the Welsh national team in 2006 and went on to win Britain's first gold at Beijing in the LC3/4 1km time trial in world record time.

He claimed a second gold in China in the LC3–4 3km individual pursuit and went on to take a silver medal in the LC3 class road time trial behind gold medallist Laurent Thirionet of France.

He later received the MBE in 2009.

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