First free practice session, second round of the IDM premier class. Vladimir Leonov crashes and breaks his hand. For the Russian rider from the Hertrampf MO Yamaha Racing Team, the race weekend at the Schleizer Dreieck is already over.
What happened? “The clutch cover gasket was broken,” explains team manager Denis Hertrampf, who has lost not only his fastest rider but also the only top rider on the YZF-R1M. “Oil probably leaked out. It wasn’t a riding error.” Leonov received medical attention. The X-ray revealed a fracture in his right hand. For now, a splint is providing stability. “It looks like surgery won’t be necessary, but we’re sending the X-ray to other doctors to get a second opinion,” says Hertrampf
Despite his injury, Leonov will remain with his team in Schleiz and is expected to assist his teammates Daniel Kartheininger, Max Schmidt, and Milan Merckelbagh with their data analysis.
The IDM will be visiting Assen in just three weeks. It currently seems unlikely that Leonov will be able to race there again.