Philippaerts donates print to Wings for Life

The 62nd Motocross of Nations saw the biggest media attendance of the year for a European race and a large contingent of the press corps crowded the Monster Energy hospitality unit on Saturday to see David Philippaerts select a canvas print from a dedicated gallery compiled to celebrate a title-winning campaign and present it to the Wings for Life foundation.

Ten images of the Yamaha Monster Motocross Team including action shots of Philippaerts and Josh Coppins as well as photographs from the victory scenes at the decisive Grand Prix Citta di Faenza were displayed to the press and public inside the hospitality. The World Champion then signed and gave one of the pictures to former number one Heinz Kinigadner for auction to generate more funding for the foundation that works for research and prevention of spinal injuries.

“It was great to see the gallery and reminded me of some of the good times we had this season,” said the Italian. “It was a nice gesture by Yamaha Motor Europe and I am pleased that we could show it off at the same time as the race replica,” he added referring to the new 2009 YZ450F Yamaha Motocross Team Replica that was launched at the same moment.

“Wings for Life is an important organisation and to give them one of the pictures was no problem at all, it was good that Heinz could be there also; it was a special moment,” he added.