Mathias Bellino, who recently won the Enduro 3 class on day two at the GP of Sweden and sits third overall in the championship – broke the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during round two of the French Enduro Championship in Scaer.
Leading day one of the event outright, Bellino lost control of his front wheel during a flat grass turn. Putting his foot down to save the crash resulted in a heavy hit to his knee with the handlebar.
Results of an MRI scan have revealed a break in his ACL that will require surgery on July 10th.
The injury rules him out of competitive action for the remainder of the season.
Mathias Bellino: “I’m extremely disappointed to have my season end like this. Taking a race win at the GP of Sweden had put me in a strong position to fight for the E3 title but now unfortunately that is lost. At the last round of the French Enduro Championship I lost control of my front wheel on a grass corner. As I put my foot down to save the crash the handlebar hit my knee hard. Immediately the pain was extreme and I knew damage was done. The results of MRI scans show a broken ACL that requires immediate surgery. It’s difficult to accept this situation but it’s the only option I have. I want to thank the Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing team for their support and I will focus hard to return next year at 100 per cent.”
Thomas Gustavsson (Bel-Ray Husqvarna Factory Racing Team Manager): “It’s very unfortunate to see Mathias’ season come to an end like this. With seven podium results – including a race win in Sweden – he was having a great year and looked capable of fighting for the Enduro 3 World Championship. Sadly injuries are also a part of racing. The team are fully supportive of Mathias in his recovery and know that with his fighting spirit he’ll return stronger than ever in 2015.”
Bellino was a threat for the E3 World Championship this year with his recent win in Sweden and while his demise will not please Australia’s Matt Phillips, it does give the KTM rider a better chance at backing up his Junior Enduro World Title in 2013 with the 2014 E3 Enduro World Crown in 2014. World Enduro reconvenes in Mexico this weekend.
