Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s four-rider team will go for the gold in three classes of the FIM Enduro World Championship.
The following is from Husqvarna Factory Racing:
Featuring a strong mix of championship winners and up-and-coming youngsters, Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing is looking forward to a successful start to their 2016 FIM Enduro World Championship campaign, which kicks off this weekend in Agadir, Morocco. Under the guidance of team manager Andi Hölzl, all four official team riders will be aiming for victory in three different classes of the Enduro World Championship.
Making a switch to Husqvarna’s FE 450, reigning Enduro 3 World Champion Mathias Bellino will spearhead the team’s efforts by contesting the Enduro 2 class. Well prepared and as determined as ever, the Frenchman is hungry for further championship winning success.
“This year we decided to switch to Enduro 2 class,” Bellino said. “For me E2 is going to be the main class for the 2016 Enduro World Championship, with the best riders fighting for the podium. I knew it is going to be a tough season so I worked really hard during the offseason. Switching back to a four-stroke bike gave me some extra motivation. I feel really good on my new FE 450. It’s such a great bike, turns amazingly well and overall I believe its fits my riding style perfectly. We’ve been doing a lot of testing and I’m working hard to gain even more confidence, as we’re getting closer to the season opener. With so many good riders in Enduro 2 it’s going to be a challenging season and I’m definitely looking forward to it.”
Back to full fitness following knee surgery at the end of last year, Danny McCanney has his sights set on challenging for a debut senior title in Enduro 1. Gelling well with his new Husqvarna FE 250 the Manxman aims to come out swinging when the season kicks off in Agadir.
“I’m positive coming into the 2016 season,” McCanney said. “Everything is going according to plan, and I can’t wait for the championship to kick off. I showed last year I have the speed to reach the top so I’m just hoping things will just get better from now on. I’m better prepared for this new season and I’ve worked a lot on my physical condition. As for the new FE 250, honestly it’s better than I even expected. It’s a big improvement from last year. Clearly I want to be top three again in the championship and maybe fight for some victories. Competition is going to be harder in 2016 but I feel ready for it.”
Rockstar Energy Husqvarna Factory Racing’s Enduro 1 team is completed by Austria’s Pascal Rauchenecker. Switching to enduro from national and international motocross, the 22-year-old has been working hard ahead of the EWC’s first event and is aiming high during his first season of international enduro competition.
“It’s going to be my first year racing enduro, so the main goal is to get as much experience as possible,” Rauchenecker said. “I need to learn a lot and I’m glad I’m surrounded by the right people to help me do so. I’m feeling great with the new bike. The more time I spend on my FE 250 the more comfortable I feel. We have a really powerful engine, and overall I believe the bike is ready for the championship. Everything is new for me so the plan is to take things one step at a time. One thing for sure, I will keep working and training hard to reach the top in Enduro 1.”
Stepping up from the 125cc Youth class where he clinched six race wins and an overall runner-up result in 2015, Spain’s Josep Garcia will move to the Enduro Junior class for 2016. With class wins in his national enduro championship already to his credit, the FE 250 four-stroke mounted rider is looking to turn his hard winter preparations into winning results
when the championship gets underway.
“This year is a very important one for me,” Garcia said. “Husqvarna have given me a great opportunity and feel confident that I can do well in my first year in the junior class. Things have started with good results in the Spanish championship, and I’m more than happy with my bike. It’s my first year on a 250 four4-stroke, but I love it. The conditions at the first race in Morocco should be dry and suit me, so I’m looking for a good start to the championship.”
“This is a very important year for Husqvarna in enduro competition,” Team Manager Hölzl said. “We expect the competition to be more intense in 2016. We have a great atmosphere in the team, and I believe all the right tools are there to bring Husqvarna to the top.”
2016 FIM Enduro World Championship Schedule
Round 1 – 09/10 April, GP of Morocco, Agadir
Round 2 – 16/17 April, GP of Portugal, Gouveia
Round 3 – 21/22 May, GP of Greece, Grevena
Round 4 – 11/12 June, GP of Finland, Heinola
Round 5 – 18/19 June, GP of Sweden, Enkoping
Round 6 – 02/03 July, GP of Spain, Gordexola
Round 7 – 16/17 July, GP of Italy, Fabriano
Round 8 – 10/11 September, GP of France, Cahors
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