Heikki Mikkola
| Heikki Mikkola | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Finnish |
| Born |
6 July 1945 (age 72) Mikkeli, Finland |
| career | |
| Years active | 1969 - 1979 |
| Teams | Husqvarna, Yamaha |
| 500cc - 1974, 1977, 1978 250cc - 1976 |
|
Heikki Antero Mikkola (born 6 July 1945) is a Finnish former professional racer. He was a four-time World Champion.
Born in Mikkeli, Finland, he became known as the "Flying Finn", and was characterized by a fierce, determined riding style. He was the first Finn to win a . He won his first 500 cc Motocross World Championship on a Husqvarna in , defeating the defending World Champion Roger DeCoster in what would be remembered as one of the tightest battles in motocross history.
In , he won the 250 cc World Championship, also aboard a Husqvarna, becoming the first person to win a 250 cc and a 500 cc Motocross World Championship. For the season, Mikkola was signed by Yamaha and he rewarded them with a 500 cc World Championship. He repeated as 500 cc champion in . After a fifth-place finish in the season, the 34-year-old Mikkola decided to retire. Throughout his entire racing career, Mikkola represented the Hyvinkää Motor Club (Hyvinkään Moottorikerho - HyMk). He currently enjoys retirement living in Finland. In 2006 he was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
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