A road rage attack between a ute driver and a cyclist in Cairns in Far North Queensland has been caught on camera from two different angles, identifying the attacker who is now being sought by police.

Key points: Police have identified a suspect from the video footage

Police have identified a suspect from the video footage The cyclist yelled abuse at the ute driver, but was hit from behind

The cyclist yelled abuse at the ute driver, but was hit from behind He called on drivers to show cyclists more respect

The cyclist was punched to the ground by the ute driver on Toogood Road Monday afternoon moments after the cyclist yelled abuse at the driver for passing him too close to the cycling lane.

The cyclist, Paul (surname withheld), said he could not bring himself to watch the video, but had given it to police.

The footage from the cameras mounted on Paul's bicycle showed the cyclist swearing at the driver before continuing to pull up at traffic lights on the busy road.

The driver then stepped out of the ute, walked up to the cyclist and attacked him from behind, knocking him to the ground.

"He hit me so hard my contact lenses actually dislodged from my eyes," Paul said.

"I was hit to the ground — I lost consciousness, briefly I blacked out.

"When I came to, the gentleman was sort of standing above me … he had my bike and basically threw the bike on top of me and then he launched into me with his fists, punched me in the right eye."

'All we want is a bit of space'

Paul said being hit from behind was "extremely scary".

"You hear on the news all the time about coward punches — people being hit from behind — and I guess I am one of the lucky ones," he said.

"If I wasn't wearing any protection, wasn't wearing a helmet, I am quite scared by what could have happened."

Paul said he suffered whiplash and bruising to his head and left eye and was wearing a neck brace.

He called on drivers to show cyclists more respect.

"All we ask for is a little bit of space on the road … we're just people like everyone else, trying to go about our daily business trying to get home safely from work like everyone else," he said.

Police investigating the alleged attack say they have nominated a suspect, but thus far no-one has been charged.