Title contender Valentin Debise (Kawasaki Weber-Motos Racing) has withdrawn from the IDM Grand Final at Hockenheim, scheduled for September 24–26, 2021. His hand injury prevents him from competing.
The 29-year-old Frenchman has been competing in both the IDM Superbike 1000 and the IDM Supersport 600 series. He is currently second in the standings in both classes. Now, a fractured wrist has definitively ruled him out of his wildcard appearance in the Supersport World Championship on the first weekend of September at Magny-Cours. The ZX10 RR rider’s left arm was put in a cast immediately after his crash in France. If Debise can now manage with a cast for another six weeks, the injury will heal even without surgery. However, on medical advice, he must avoid any risk. Debise has opted for this course of action and withdrawn from the IDM title race.
Even though his chances of winning the title at the final round were largely theoretical, the Frenchman would otherwise have fought until the very last meter. Now he will also lose his runner-up position. “But thanks to Valentin Debise, Kawasaki had its best IDM season in ten years,” reflects Carsten Haufe, Motocross Product Manager and Racing Representative for Kawasaki Germany. “In the end, we had to end the season early due to Valentin’s injury, but up until then, we showed what we’re capable of.” In the premier Superbike 1000 class, Debise stood on the podium three times, including one victory. In the IDM Supersport 600 class, he secured five podium finishes, including three wins.
At Hockenheim, Nico Thöni will be flying the flag for Kawasaki Weber-Motos Racing in the IDM Superbike 1000 class.