YAMAHA RACING:

The Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team will split its priorities to focus on a strong dual attempt for the 2010 MX1-GP and MX2-GP world championships and has enlisted the services of exciting French teenager Gautier Paulin to steer the revamped YZ250F, while continuing the excellent and successful association with 2008 MX1-GP champion David Philippaerts on the YZ450F.

Philippaerts will embark on his third year with the Italian set-up after penning an extension to his present deal. The 25 year old Italian rode to the title in his first season with the team in 2008 and is currently in third position after totalling a victory and five podiums to-date.

Paulin, 19 years old from Draguignan, led the early stages of the 2009 MX2-GP chase and has won two Grand Prix and taken seven podiums from the thirteen rounds run in the series. He is third in the current standings and after winning the GP of Czech Republic three weeks ago remains a possibility for the crown entering the penultimate meeting of the championship this weekend at Lierop in The Netherlands. Paulin burst on the scene with a flurry of superb wild-card rides in the 2007 campaign; the same year he won the European Championship. The Frenchman will rely on a new YZ250F with which to aim towards more chequered flags in his young career so far.

“Naturally we are pleased to be able to count on the services of a rider of David’s capability for another season and his record with the Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team speaks for itself,” commented Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “The addition of Gautier Paulin is a great asset to the team and his speed, ability and status as one of the main contenders in MX2-GP mean that we are sure to be pushing for the top in both classes in 2010.”

“No other manufacturer has won so many premier class world titles in motocross in the past ten years as Yamaha and we have just clinched the MX1-GP manufacturer’s and rider’s standings again,” he added. “For the future, we want to continue to be the leading firm in the motocross world. Importantly, having representation in two classes under the direct wing of the Rinaldi group, means that we can continue our technical evolution at the highest level.”

“Development of the 2010 GP machines has been extremely good so far and I am confident that the work we will do over the winter for next season will mean that we retain our exceptional standards in GP racing,” commented Team Principal Michele Rinaldi. “We are pleased to welcome a rider of Gautier’s undoubted talent and determination to the team, and for us it will be interesting to compete in two classes for the first time since 2005.”

The Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team has an unparalleled record in the premier class of the FIM Motocross World Championship earning an amazing five crowns from the last six editions; since MX1-GP was created from the old 500cc and 250cc divisions in 2004. The YZ450F has been a protagonist and front-runner each season since the competitive introduction of the machine. Yamaha has won the Manufacturer’s standings by a hefty 68 points and has been present on every podium of the fourteen events held in 2009.