8-23-07 // News: Justin Leov Breaks His Collarbone

Justin races through the bottom of the Fontana NMBS course this spring. Alan L. Davis

With the World Championships rapidly approaching on September 3-9, and riding at the top of his game after winning the NORBA Finals two weeks ago, 22 year old Justin Leov has been dealt a heart wrenching blow just days before the World Championships.

Last Friday on his first training run for round 2 of the G3 series in Colorado, Justin'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 orthopedic surgeon as well as a team physician for a national hockey team and a football team. His staff picks you up at the airport and gets you comfortable at a hotel until the operation," said Justin who is now back in Denver in recovery mode.

Justin had a plate put into his shoulder as well as 10 screws to hold it all back together. The prognosis for recovery is 3 to 6 weeks, but Dr Ting has seen people riding after 10 days, so Justin is staying positive and maintaining 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 traveling 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."

Justin will keep his website up to date with progress on his recovery: www.justinleov.com