FORMER Pirates favourite Leigh Adams has reportedly suffered serious injuries in an off-road motorbike crash in his native Australia.

Reports yesterday indicated that the speedway great, who retired from the shale sport last year, was airlifted to hospital after sustaining injuries understood to include broken ribs and suspected spinal damage while training for the Finke Desert Rally in Alice Springs, although details have yet to be officially confirmed.

Adams, a Grand Prix legend, first linked up with Poole in 1989 before helping the Dorset outfit to treble glory in 2003.

Pirates promoter Matt Ford said: “The hearts of all the Pirates management, riders and supporters go out to Leigh, his wife Kylie and his two children. We are all praying for him.”

The 10-times Australian champion spent the majority of his English speedway career with Swindon. In a statement released on their official website, the Robins said: “Swindon Speedway have been made aware of serious injuries sustained by Robins legend Leigh Adams back home in Australia. Our thoughts are with Leigh and his family at this time.”