Twenty years is enough, says Björn Stuppi, who first spoke this summer about ending his career in the International German Motorcycle Championship (IDM). But that wasn’t part of the plan—he didn’t intend to end up bedridden. Now, following his serious crash at the Red Bull Ring, the 38-year-old BMW rider from RR SOCIA RACING has set himself a new deadline.
A corner in the second IDM Superbike race at the Red Bull Ring proved to be his undoing. Stuppi had once again entered the first corner after the start too cautiously and fell in behind Sandro Wagner. The situation remained the same in the second lap when Stuppi impulsively tried to make a move; this time, Wagner hit the brakes early, and Stuppi had to swerve into the gravel. The right side of the tire was still dirty when he tried to correct his line. The rest is history: crash, medical center, hospital. Stuppi’s “Queenie” had landed directly on him after the high-side. His right foot took the brunt of the impact; several bones were shattered. The medical care after the race was called off was top-notch, Stuppi reported: “It took two and a half hours to get from the track to the medical center, to the hospital, and back again.” After twenty years of being spared major injuries, Stuppi is now at home in Kühbach, Bavaria, with his leg in a cast.
His physical therapist told him that he can slowly start rehabilitation training again in December. Stuppi is plagued by doubts about what he should do next year. “For the last race of my career, I always wanted to cross the finish line and then say: That’s it. That didn’t work out this year. RR SOCIA RACING would extend my contract, but I don’t know if the sponsors will stick around, so I’m not sure if it’s feasible. To be honest, I don’t think it’ll work out. I’ll make a final decision in January 2024.”
Stuppi, who was never a top contender but always held his own in the IDM, isn’t going to miss this year’s finale at Hockenheim after all; he’ll be there as a spectator on race Sunday, spending time in the pits with his team and catching up with riders and friends.
