Just weeks before the World Championships, and with his form right where he wanted it to be after winning the NMBS Finals two weeks ago, 22 year-old Justin Leov has been dealt a heart-wrenching blow.
Last Friday on his first training run for round two of the G3 series in Colorado, Leov's handlebar snapped, sending him to the ground and breaking his right collarbone in two places. The Yeti/Fox Factory team was quick to act, booking an operation, knowing that every day counted and there was still a possibility to participate at the World Championships.
"The team flew me to San Jose, California to have an operation with Dr Ting, who is a bit of a legend and has worked on many motocross riders. He's an orthopaedic surgeon as well as a team physician for a national hockey team and a football team. His staff pick you up at the airport and get you comfortable at a hotel until the operation," said Leov who is now back in Denver in recovery mode.
Leov had a plate put into his shoulder as well as 10 screws to hold it all back together. The prognosis for recovery is three to six weeks, but Dr. Ting has seen people riding after 10 days, so the rider is staying positive and maintaining his fitness.
"Everything is now stabilized so it's just a matter of waiting and seeing. I'm going to take another X-ray right before travelling to the Worlds and that should tell us how much it's healed. I think no matter what, there is going to be some pain when I ride."
