Husaberg Team Prepares for 2010 Enduro World Championship

Husaberg reports that their 5-man factory team is ready and waiting for the start of the '10 'FIM Maxxis Enduro World Championship, undoubtedly, they say, an exciting season.  New this year is a round in Turkey.  There are eight rounds in the EWC, covered in 16-days.

Joakim Ljunggren, pictured here courtesy of Husaberg, was last year's EWC stand-out performer and is generally assumed to be Husaberg's top enduro rider.   He will be up against top riders like Mike Ahola, Ivan Cervantes and Juha Salminen and promises "A top three result is what I will work hard to achieve." 

Ljunggren spent some time resting after a tough racing schedule last year, and has spent the previous month in training, getting used to his 450 again.  "I rode the 390 in the indoors (IEWC) and I really liked it.  We have been working hard to make my 450 a little more like the 390 in some ways, and it's gone well.  My bike feels really good and I am ready for the season."

Finland's Valtteri Salonen will be Ljunggren's team-mate in the E2 class.  Valterri will be on a Husaberg FE 390.

Recovered from his broken collarbone incident from the '09 EWC with nothing more than bad memories is Oriol Mena, Husaberg's new E3 class competitor.   "Riding in the big bike class is something I am really enjoying.  It's not that different to the 450 that I raced last year, you just have to remember there is a lot of power from the moment you open the throttle."  Mena is shooting for the top 5.

Frenchman Benoit Fortunato will represent Husaberg in the Enduro Junior Class.  This is Benoit's first time as a factory team rider, first time on four-stroke machinery and while not first time speaking English, he's not real comfortable with it.  "Everyone knows changing from a two-stroke to a four-stroke for the first time is a big step, but I am really enjoying riding my new bike.  It's a challenge, that's for sure, but I see it as a positive change......  Last year I finished second..... This year with the support of Husaberg, I believe I can improve and win the championship."

Also in the Enduro Junior Class for Husaberg with Benoit is Sweden's Calle Sjoo, in this his second EWC.  Calle is coming into the event recovering from a broken leg and adjusting to the addition of a spike in his leg.  His goal is to finish on the podium.

Sadly, Xavier Galindo dislocated his shoulder during training this week and his racing season is on hold, preventing him from joining Husaberg for the first two rounds of the EWC as planned.  Xavier will undergo surgery next week and be out of competition for several months.

For more information and photos, visit the Husaberg site, www.husaberg.com.