Husqvarna factory world enduro gun Mathias Bellino, who recently won the Enduro 3 class on day two at the GP of Sweden and sits third overall in the championship has been ruled out of the remainder of the 2014 season due to injury.
Bellino who competes in the same class as Australian E3 championship leader Matthew Phillips, 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.
‰ÛÏI‰Ûªm extremely disappointed to have my season end like this." Bellino stated. "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‰Ûªs difficult to accept this situation but it‰Ûªs 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," he concluded.
Top Image: E3 World Enduro contender Mathias Bellino has suffered a season ending knee injury
