Dr Heather Hunter was hit while cycling on the Bengworden Rd, Clydebank, at about 8am on Saturday morning and was airlifted to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with serious head injuries and multiple fractures.

The man was arrested over the collision and has also been charged in relation to another matter with one count of stalking.

The Victoria Police air wing and dog squad helped Sale police track down the man, who police believe was driving a stolen white Land Cruiser utility.

It is alleged the man fled the scene of the accident into the swampland in the Clydebank Morass Reserve.

Police said the man stayed in the area for a short while before walking out of the bushland about 1pm.

He was then taken back to the Sale police station where he assisted investigators with their inquiries.

The road was blocked at the scene of the incident while police continued their investigation.

Sale police Constable Trevor Barton said Dr Hunter was hit from behind and thrown from her bicycle.

"The driver then tried to leave the scene when a witness pulled up and became bogged beside the road,'' he said.

"A canine unit and air wing police search was launched until the man came out of the bush at about 1pm.''

The man was remanded in custody in relation to the charges and was due to appear at Sale Magistrates Court this morning.