The GERT56 team has been severely depleted. After Toni Finsterbusch crashed in Schleiz, Julian Puffe has now suffered a crash in Assen. The IDM third-place finisher had a highside during the first free practice session and injured his right foot. The 26-year-old was taken by ambulance to the “Ziekenhuis Wilhelmina” in Assen. “The X-rays showed that Julian’s foot is fractured in several places,” reported team manager Karsten Wolf after speaking with the attending physician. Puffe will undergo surgery tomorrow.
“Our Superbike division is currently out of action. After Julian’s crash, our appearance at the Red Bull Ring in three weeks is naturally in jeopardy as well,” Wolf notes, adding, “This was supposed to be our big year. At least, that was the plan after we joined the series last season.”
Toni Finsterbusch had watched his teammate’s crash in the second sector of the fifth lap from home via live timing while sitting on his couch and immediately followed up on it. He himself was discharged from the hospital a week and a half ago and is recovering from a pelvic fracture he sustained in Schleiz. “I had a 4.5 x 90 mm screw inserted.” His pelvis had also shifted at first and had to be realigned. Finsterbusch is already walking with crutches, one of which is specially shaped, since the 29-year-old from Krostitz is currently also wearing a splint on his right hand, which is also broken.
Jan Schmidt will now have to turn things around for GERT56 this weekend. He races for the team in the Pro Superstock Cup.