Mark Webber will likely miss the winter testing period, but should be back in action when the formula one race action resumes in Melbourne for the start of the 2009 season.

That was the reaction of the Australian driver's team Red Bull Racing, after 32-year-old Webber broke his right leg in two places in a mountain bike crash during his own outdoor adventure race in Tasmania at the weekend.

Webber had a rod inserted in his damaged leg during surgery in the hours after the incident, and he is set to remain in a Hobart hospital for a few days before returning to the UK.

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

His supporters were invited to send personal messages to feedback@redbullf1.com, "and we'll make sure he gets all your mail", Red Bull added.

Source: GMM