The crutches are a thing of the past, and all eyes are on Hockenheim: For IDM rookie Mitja Borgelt (Yamaha bLU cRU Academy by Kiefer Racing), a fresh start appears to be just around the corner. After his crash in the first race in Schleiz, where he fell at the exit of the city chicane due to a highside and was struck in the leg by a rider behind him, he suffered a fracture of the tibia and fibula.
After a successful surgery, Mitja Borgelt had to wear a fixation device, which required complete rest. “It was really tough having to watch the races in Spielberg from home. At least in Assen I was able to be there in person again and watch the races from the pit,” said the 14-year-old, who didn’t join the IDM until the second race weekend of the season in Oschersleben, as he didn’t reach the required minimum age of 14 until the end of May.
After a six-week forced break, the wait is finally over for the rider from Rheda-Wiedenbrück. “The external fixator was removed on Wednesday, and now the focus is on getting back to putting full weight on the leg,” Borgelt continued, adding that he plans to return to racing at Hockenheim. “But only if the leg is pain-free and stays that way,” emphasizes his father, Dominik Borgelt. If that goes well, he’s set to head straight to Portimao, Portugal, just one week later. That’s where the R3 European SuperFinale will take place as part of the World Superbike Championship, featuring riders from the Yamaha bLUcRU Cup competing worldwide—and Mitja Borgelt is the only German invited to participate.
It is not yet clear to Mitja Borgelt whether and how he will continue in the IDM next year under the guidance of the Kiefer Racing Team. “We had a few discussions about future plans in Assen, but nothing has been decided yet,” said Dominik Borgelt. A final decision is not expected to be made until after the race in Hockenheim.