Erno Kostamo still unsure of cause of Isle of Man crash: 'I didn't make a riding error'

Finnish motorcycle racer Erno Kostamo is on the road to recovery after a serious crash during the Isle of Man TT races, which forced him to watch the Imatra races from the sidelines in a wheelchair. Kostamo, 35, had a dominant performance last year, winning all four of his races. This year, however, he sustained severe injuries, including damage to both legs and his right eye, after losing control of his bike in a high-speed corner combination.

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I didn't make a riding error; the accident was a sum of many coincidences. We've discussed it with the mechanics and looked for answers from data collection, but no explanation has been found. The front tire just started to slide out from under me, and there was nothing that could be done because the speed was so high. Maybe it would be easier to handle if I had made a mistake myself. My head works and my mind is clear, so we are winners.

Despite the physical toll, Kostamo maintains a positive outlook. "I didn't make a riding error; the accident was a sum of many coincidences," he stated. "We've discussed it with the mechanics and looked for answers from data collection, but no explanation has been found. The front tire just started to slide out from under me, and there was nothing that could be done because the speed was so high. Maybe it would be easier to handle if I had made a mistake myself. My head works and my mind is clear, so we are winners."

Kostamo's recovery is expected to be lengthy, with his legs in poor condition and his vision impaired. However, his determination to return to the sport remains strong. "Of course. We'll move forward and see on which day the return could happen. That is still a question mark at the moment," he said. If a racing comeback isn't possible, Kostamo has other passions within the sport, including working with his team, preparing bikes, and organizing. He sees a team manager role as a less impactful transition if he can no longer race.

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Of course. We'll move forward and see on which day the return could happen. That is still a question mark at the moment.

Looking ahead, Kostamo harbors ambitions beyond his recovery. He aims to break Giacomo Agostini's record of 16 wins at the Imatra race. With 14 victories to his name, Kostamo is close to surpassing the Italian legend, demonstrating his enduring competitive spirit despite his recent setback.

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Driving is only part of this job. I love fixing bikes and organizing things. This won't end here. The role of team manager is a lower fall if I can't drive myself.