Erno Kostamo: Permanent damage following head injury cannot be ruled out

61 years ago, Giacomo Agostini won the 350cc and 500cc races at the Finnish Grand Prix. These were his second and third World Championship race victories. An incredible 119 more were to follow in his unrivalled career up to and including 1976. On the Finnish circuit alone, not far from the Russian border, he stood on the top step of the podium 16 times. The charismatic Italian is still regarded today as the uncrowned king of Imatra.

At the Imatranajo event from 3 to 5 July, where the ESR Superbike riders will compete for the fourth time, Erno Kostamo would have had a good chance of dethroning Agostini. However, the local hero from North Karelia, who has already left his rivals behind 14 times on his home track, will be absent this year, much to the disappointment of his fans, as he currently has quite different challenges to overcome.

During the second lap of the Senior TT, Kostamo crashed near the 11th Milestone. The race was halted so that medical assistance could be safely provided to the injured rider at the scene of the accident. As he was transferred to a specialist clinic near Liverpool that very same evening, it was clear that his injuries must have been serious.

Following several surgical procedures, he was transferred back to his home country two weeks after his fateful accident. He has since been discharged into home care: “I’m finally back home and my recovery is progressing well. A third operation on my left thigh is scheduled for the end of July, but I’m already going to start rebuilding the strength in my legs – step by step.”

“Unfortunately, I also sustained a serious head injury in the fall, which has led to visual impairment in my right eye. At this stage, it is still too early to say whether there will be any lasting damage or whether my eyesight will recover over time. A huge thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me. One day at a time – I’m getting stronger and everything is moving in the right direction!”

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