Round 7 of the Enduro World Championship took place in Heinola, Finnland last weekend. Mathias Bellino, Husaberg Factory Team rider since 2011, was able to secure the title early, despite enormous pain due to a wrist injury. By his 10th day win and a 6th place he expanded his championship lead before the season finale in France to an uncatchable 51 points.
With this early success, Husaberg is continuing a long standing tradition of supporting young and talented Enduro riders and was able to lead yet another one to World Championship Title honours. One who perfectly represents the brand and its “Pure Enduro” character.
This is already the 4th time within the last 6 years that Husaberg has won the coveted Junior Championship Title. Sweden’s Joakim Ljunggren even won it twice, in 2006 and 2007, and was succeeded by Oriol Mena from Spain who won the title in 2009. Both riders are still part of the Husaberg Factory Team today and are successfully fighting for podium results in the E3 class this season.
Mathias Bellino himself was of course just as happy about his title success as the whole team: “Winning the title is fantastic. I learned so much last year with some good results, but learning all the time. My goal was to finish on the podium at every race this year. It’s been a great season and winning the title is a great way to thank everyone that has supported me.”
“It’s great to win my first world championship, and especially great to win it before the end of the series,” Mathias continued. “Now I don’t have to worry about being careful at the ISDE or French championship races – I can attack all races like I want. It’s been a tough weekend in Finland, and not the way I hoped to win the title. The first day was good, I rode well and won again. But on day two I had so much pain in my wrist. I hurt it one month ago while training at home, and because the Enduro test was so bumpy and rough it wasn’t good for my wrist. I was in a lot of pain and finished the race almost unable to hold onto the handlebars. It was a hard day that ended in a great way.”