Jakob Rosenthaler injured: “I’m bringing the toughest year of my career to a close”

It looked like a successful start to the Euro Moto Sportbike season for Jakob Rosenthaler. In just his second race at the season opener at the Sachsenring, he finished second on the podium. In Brno, the Austrian, riding his Triumph for Team RT Motorsports, secured a one-two finish alongside Dutchman Rob Vennegoor. Rosenthaler emerged as one of the favourites for the title. However, following those early successes, his season seemed to go in only one direction – and that was downhill.

Two weeks before the finale at the Hockenheimring, Rosenthaler announced via Instagram that his 2026 season would be ending prematurely. During the race at the Nürburgring, he suffered another serious crash, sustaining his second injury of the year.

Surgery following Nürburgring crash

“Following a serious crash in the first race at the Nürburgring, I sustained quite serious injuries to two fingers on my left hand,” he says, describing his current situation. “To prevent an infection, I underwent surgery in Germany immediately after the crash. Naturally, I’m disappointed. I was finally back on track and able to ride pain-free for the first time since my knee injury. The fact that the season is now ending like this makes it even harder to accept.”

Unsurprisingly, he describes this past racing year as the most difficult season of his career – despite a number of victories and podium finishes. “I’m proud of that,” he explains, “especially given all the challenges we had to overcome. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this season, and especially to my team, RT Motorsports Racing. Even though we have to end the season on a low note, I’ve really enjoyed every single race we’ve contested together. Especially that incredible start to the season.”

“Now I’m going to take a bit of a break,” he concludes, “properly recover from all my injuries and then come back stronger than ever.” A return in the 2027 season seems all but certain, in whatever form that may take.