Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 6:23 PM

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has been airlifted to hospital in Hobart after being hit by a car while riding his bicycle in his own charity event in Tasmania.

Webber was taken to Royal Hobart Hospital by helicopter from Fortescue Bay on the Tasman Peninsula after colliding head-on with a car during the mountain bike leg of the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge.

Rescuers say Webber has a broken leg, but is in a stable condition.

A member of the rescue team, Sergeant Damien Bidgood, said the incident appears to have been an unfortunate accident.

"Basically Mark was riding down the Fortescue Road and he's had an accident running into a car coming the other way and basically broken his lower leg," he said.

Webber Challenge media manager Nancy Cook says Webber is disappointed his race has been ended by an accident.

"Mark's been involved in a minor accident, he's fine," she said.

"He's being treated, he's really disappointed that he's not going to be able to continue but he's well and being looked after."

Webber Challenge Organiser, Geoff Donohue, says he Webber is in good spirits but will stay in hospital for about three days.

"They'll be inserting a rod this afternoon to hold that [leg] in position - and that's about all I know at the moment - that he will have the best rehabilitation, so it's a little early," he said.

The incident could see Webber out of action for at least six weeks.

The Mark Webber challenge is a 250-kilometre multi-sport event across Tasmania which sees competitors mountain bike, kayak and trek a daily course to raise funds for charity.