With iron will, tremendous toughness, and unshakable cheerfulness, Oliver Svendsen is making headlines. Despite fracturing his calf and tibia, the injured Dane will compete in this coming weekend’s Öhlins IDM race at the Nürburgring. At least, that’s the plan.
The five-time race winner and title favorite from the IDM Sportbike series was limping through the paddock at Assen two weeks ago with a brace on his left leg after suffering a serious crash and injury shortly before at a private race event. Despite his injuries, he would have loved to get on his Triumph Daytona, but the chief medical officer declared the 21-year-old Dane “unfit.” The Triumph Germany Racing Team had to stand by and watch as Svendsen’s comfortable 40-point lead in the championship shrank to zero within a few hours. He is now tied with his biggest championship rival, Iñigo Iglesias (Wematik Racing by RT Motorsports).
“I’m assuming Oliver will race at the Nürburgring,” says Technical Director Lothar Kraus, expressing his confidence regarding the title race. “The race doctor from Assen will also be on duty in the Eifel. She said that Oliver can race if he can walk up and down a flight of stairs. He must be able to move his leg freely.” That probably won’t be a problem.
Kraus is already working on making things a little easier for the Dane on the motorcycle. The seat has already been raised, and various setup options are currently being explored. The fact that there will be an additional practice day for all interested riders on Thursday before the event at the Nürburgring plays right into the team’s hands.
In addition, Kraus swears by physical therapist Jacques Beumers from IDM partner WOYP: “He fixes everything. During the 200-mile race at Daytona, Josh Herrin crashed in practice, got treated by him in the paddock, and went on to win the race. He’ll get our Oliver back in shape, too.”
Svendsen has moved up to the new sportbike class as the IDM Supersport champion and is on track to win his second consecutive title.
