During the second qualifying session of the IDM race in Oschersleben, Marco Fetz of TEAM MF-Racing powered by Jung crashed after a highside. The result: a fractured thoracic vertebra and bruising around two other vertebrae. Now the likable BMW rider, who had planned to compete in the IDM Superbike class this season with his own team structure following the withdrawal of Wilber’s BMW, is on the mend and working toward his return.
“I have to wear a brace for a total of four weeks, but I’m already feeling pretty good again,” Marco tells idm.de. “It’s still a bit uncomfortable when I’m lying down, but overall it’s really bearable, and I’m not taking any painkillers anymore,” the 23-year-old from Franconia adds. He’s also already setting his sights on getting back on the bike. “I can’t say for sure yet when I’ll be able to ride again, but my personal goal is to be back on the starting grid at the Red Bull Ring.” After his run of bad luck with injuries and the many races he’s missed as a result, Marco would have liked to make his return at the Schleizer Dreieck, “but the risk involved would be too great,” he realizes.
It’s doubly frustrating—the planned race with Team Energie Endurance 91 at the EWC round in Spa has also been thwarted by the injury, and another start in the World Endurance Championship is not currently on the horizon. “What happens next is still up in the air. For cost reasons, the team initially only wanted to race at Le Mans. After Luca de Vleeschauwer and I finished the 16-hour race together and scored points, the decision was made to race at Spa as well. Now I can only watch the race on TV. If another opportunity arises for the Bol d’Or, I’d very much like to be part of it.”
But the focus is now clearly on recovery and maintaining his fitness for his return to the IDM. “Together with my sports physical therapist, I’m working to prevent my muscles from atrophying while I’m unable to train properly. For example, I walk in chest-deep water without a brace and do exercises that don’t twist or strain my spine.” Alongside his recovery, Marco also has his team and supporters on his mind. “After Wilbers pulled out last year, it was really tough to get the team back on its feet, and I’m incredibly grateful to my sponsors and Wilbers that it all worked out in the end. I definitely want to get back in shape and back on the bike as soon as possible.”
But Marco doesn’t want to miss any of the races leading up to the planned return to the Red Bull Ring. “I’m currently in the first phase of my certification as a state-certified mechanical engineer. If everything goes well here, I’d love to be there in Most. And Schleiz is a must-attend event anyway!”