Disappointing news ahead of the first race in Assen: The current leader of the IDM Sportbike class, Oliver Svendsen (Triumph Germany Racing Team), will not be able to compete this weekend. The 21-year-old Dane was declared “unfit” following a medical examination. The consequences of a private training crash two weeks ago, in which Svendsen suffered a broken tibia and fibula as well as muscle and nerve damage, are too severe.
This marked the start of a race against time for the Triumph rider: “We’ve been working incredibly hard over the past few days to make this happen. Right now, I can walk and move my leg, but I can’t run yet—which ultimately ruled me out for this weekend,” Svendsen explained, disappointed.
Despite all his efforts to recover, competing at the legendary TT circuit in Assen was physically impossible—the strain would have been too much for his leg. “It’s a huge disappointment not to be there, but now I’m focusing on my recovery so I can come back stronger.”
With Svendsen out of the running, the deck has been reshuffled—a change in the championship lead is possible if his two closest rivals, Petr Svoboda and Inigo Iglesias, seize their opportunity and finish first or second in both races. The IDM Sportbike series remains exciting, with the top contenders closing in on each other and making the title race wide open once again.