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.

November 23, 2008

AUSTRALIAN Formula One driver Mark Webber has vowed to be back on his feet in time for the Grand Prix season after he was hit by a car while riding a bike in his own charity event.

Webber, 32, suffered a badly broken leg when when his mountain bike collided with a car in a head-on accident during the Mark Webber Challenge in Tasmania.

He was thrown to the gavel road, fracturing the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg.

Webber's race partner, City Homicide actor Daniel MacPherson, was riding with him but was not involved in the collision.

The super-fit Webber, who was competing in the challenge during the Formula One off-season, spent last night in the Royal Hobart Hospital after being flown by helicopter from an area near Port Arthur.

The Formula One season begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 29.

One of Webber's managers, Geoff Donahue, said from Hobart he was determined to be ready to compete in time for the season opener.

Mr Donahue said he had spoken to Webber before the driver went into surgery.

"I am exceptionally confident he will be ready.

"He's an elite athlete and, as soon as he's out of surgery and can travel, he'll get the best of rehabilitation.

"We have no concerns about him racing next season.''

Webber had surgery last night to re-set his broken bones, and a rod is expected to be inserted in his leg.

He is likely to remain in hospital for another two or three days.

Mr Donahue said Webber was philosophical about the injury and was determined to begin rehabilitation and resume his fitness training as soon as possible.

"He's in surprisingly good spirits. He's keen to get back into his running, mountain-biking and kayaking as soon as possible, and getting back into doing the job for Red Bull again.''

Red Bull sponsors the Formula One team Webber drives for.

Webber had been competing on the second-last day of the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250km running, cycling and kayaking event across Tasmania to raise funds for charity, when the accident happened about 12.40pm.

Search and rescue officer Damian Bidgood said Webber had been riding on an unsealed road when he collided with a car travelling in the opposite direction.

Sgt Bidgood, who was volunteering as a rescue paramedic with the challenge, flew with Webber in the rescue helicopter from a property on the Tasman Peninsula to the Domain in Hobart, from where an ambulance took him to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Witnesses said Webber had obviously broken both bones in his lower right leg, and his foot was twisted at an acute angle.

Paramedics wrapped him in a sleeping bag for warmth while they waited to transport him to safety.

Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 8:23 AM

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber has had surgery to pin his broken right leg after being hit by a car while cycling in a multi-sport charity event in Tasmania.

Event director Geoff Donohue said the Red Bull driver was in good spirits despite his injuries and expected to be fully recovered in time for the start of the new season in Melbourne on March 29.

Red Bull said on its team website that the 32-year-old would return to Britain to continue his recovery but was likely to miss much of the European winter testing.

"While it looks like he's out of the winter testing program, we fully expect Mark to make the starting grid in Melbourne next March," the team said.

The Australian had also been due to take part in the Race of Champions event at London's Wembley Stadium next month.

"I chatted to him just before his operation and he's in really good spirits considering, and he's very philosophical and goal-focused as Mark generally is," Mr Donohue said.

"He is already talking about his rehab program and how the challenge must go on."

Mr Donohue said earlier reports that Webber had suffered life-threatening injuries and multiple fractures were wrong.

"I obviously didn't take too well to that, given he's got a lot of friends and family all over the world," he said.

"The main focus right now is, he's had the operation, which is really good and it appears that was all very routine and successful and he'll probably be here for a few days before he takes the next step in terms of getting into his rehab program."

Webber will be partnered by 21-year-old German young gun Sebastian Vettel at Red Bull next year following the retirement of Briton David Coulthard.

ABC motor racing commentator Will Hagon said it is a setback Webber did not need.

"The team's hoping that the car is becoming more competitive but he's got a driver that's really going to push him next year as a team-mate, more so than probably David Coulthard who's just retired, so you just need every possible thing going for you," he said.

Webber was cycling near the historic convict town of Port Arthur when he and a four-wheel drive collided.

He had been competing on the penultimate day of his own charity event, the Mark Webber Pure Tasmania Challenge, a 250km event using mountain bikes, kayaks and trekking, when the accident happened.

The male driver of the vehicle escaped injury but no further details were known about the motorist.