Victorian shooter on the run after targeting elderly cyclist

An elderly Melbourne man “is lucky to be alive” after he was shot at up to six times while cycling through country Victoria yesterday.

The sniper responsible for the attack remains on the run, with police urgently seeking information to help locate him.

The 72-year-old from Ringwood was struck by at least one bullet in the head, and several more in the upper body, while riding the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail in Everton in the state's northeast about midday.

The man was admitted to the Alfred Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

He has been unable to describe his attacker but recalled seeing a man in a dark-coloured sedan shortly before the attack.

The attack was unprovoked and the pair were not known to each other.

Detective Senior Constable Elise Douglas told reporters the shooter is believed to have fired four to six bullets at the elderly man using a small firearm.

She said the shooting was a "concern" but other cyclists and hikers should not be discouraged from using the trail.

"There is no indication that cyclists are being targeted for using the rail trail,” she said.

Adding the man is shaken and "very, very lucky" to be alive.

He was alone at the time of the shooting, but discovered by a passer-by shortly after the incident and transferred to hospital.