Francesco Bellei enjoyed a weekend to remember at the toughest circuit on the EMX250 calendar, claiming the first EMX250 podium of his career with an impressive third overall at the deep sand of Lommel. The Italian showed excellent speed throughout the weekend, grabbing two holeshots and proving that a productive winter of preparation is beginning to pay off.
After the podium celebrations, Bellei reflected on a breakthrough result that exceeded even his own expectations.
“Mate, this winter I had the whole winter in the Netherlands. I just had two really good races, two holeshots as well. The first race I led until nine minutes to go and then I struggled but that’s okay. I managed to finish in third. I got another holeshot in race two but then someone passed me around the first corner. I spent half of the race in second position but after that I exploded. But it is really good to finish third overall and get on the podium. I am so happy and so proud of the work we put in this winter. If we can keep going like that, we will keep the ball rolling and we’ll see what happens”, Bellei told GateDrop.com.
Lommel is widely regarded as one of the most demanding sand tracks in the world, but Bellei admitted he actually enjoyed the track—at least while he still had the energy to push.
“I actually enjoyed it out there in the first race. From free practice to race one I enjoyed it but then race two, it was really rough. I enjoyed it in the first race when I had power to ride. The track, they changed it to make it wider – last year it was quite tight. I enjoyed it but it is strange to get a podium here in Lommel”.
The result came as a surprise even to Bellei himself. Heading into the weekend, he wasn’t convinced the Belgian sand would suit him, but his confidence grew with every session.
“I have to say, I was not too excited to come here and race in Lommel. But after free practice and qualifying I was thinking I’m actually not bad in the sand. Then I had a really good first race so I just kept going. It’s my first EMX250 podium, it’s incredible to do it here at the toughest track of the year. I was thinking maybe I could do it at Uddevalla or on the hard pack. If I think about the hard pack, I know what I can do now because I’m better on it”.
Bellei also believes his recent experience stepping up to the MX2 World Championship for two rounds played an important role in his development. Racing against the very best riders in the class has helped him arrive back in EMX250 with greater confidence and a stronger mindset.
“Racing MX2 really helped me a lot. I had an okay weekend in England but it was my first experience with the World Championship and first year on the 250cc. I was seventeenth overall, it was okay – nothing crazy. Then in Loket I had a pretty good weekend. I struggled at the beginning and was really slow but in race two, I had a nice start and finished fifteenth. It was a good weekend and I could have done better in the hard pack. But for this weekend I was more chilled racing EMX250 again after two weekends racing with the factory guys racing against the likes of the Coenen’s and Reisulis. Coming from that to EMX250 you are more mentally prepared”.
While the podium is a significant milestone, Bellei insists he is in no rush. His priority remains gaining experience in EMX250 while continuing to take opportunities in MX2 whenever possible.
“I still have a lot to learn so I feel like I will race the EMX250 series and then some races MX2. But I don’t know yet – I would like to do MX2. One year, or maybe two to learn in EMX250 and then you are ready. But we will see, this is only my first podium – I have to keep going and then we’ll see”.
Bellei’s performance at Lommel has undoubtedly given him a huge confidence boost. If he can build on this breakthrough result, the Italian has shown he has the speed to become a regular contender at the front of the EMX250 field while continuing to prepare himself for a future full-time move into the MX2 World Championship.
