SYDNEY, May 8 - A group of elite Australian cyclists, including several hoping to compete at this year's Beijing Olympics, were lucky to escape serious injury after being involved in a hit-and-run incident on Thursday.

The group, which included former Olympic gold medallist Kevin Nichols and Commonwealth Games champion Ben Kersten, crashed heavily after a driver overtook them and then stopped suddenly, causing a pile-up on a Sydney road.

About 20 of the 50 cyclists in the group were treated for injuries, including cuts and bruises but none was seriously hurt.

Local media reported that police were searching for the driver of the car.

Nichols's daughter Kate, who was among a group of cyclists involved in a fatal accident in Germany in 2005, was among the injured cyclists.

Three years ago, she was training with the Australian team in Germany when a novice motorist lost control of her car and ploughed into the group, killing Amy Gillett.

Kate Nichols said she had only just started riding on the road again and Thursday's incident had brought back painful memories.

"I've been currently suffering a lot of illness and getting back from injuries and it was actually my first bunch ride back in a long time," she told reporters.

"It was not good timing for me, motivationally and psychologically but I'm going to do my best to get back out there."