Philippaerts finishes 3rd in MX1-GP world championship

The final round of the 2010 FIM MX2-GP World Championship took place at the Fermo circuit for the Grand Prix of Italy and where Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team's Gautier Paulin discovered that he could be a late insertion into Team France riding the works YZ450FM at the Motocross of Nations in two weeks time. The 20 year old wrapped up the '10 campaign with his third podium position from the last four events by taking second overall under bright but cloudy skies and watched by 22,500 spectators. The heavily altered Fermo circuit provided the riders of the MX1 and MX2-GP classes with a dry, fast, jumpy and mountainous layout for the final round of fifteen in the FIM series. Paulin, using the power of his YZ250FM on the uphill drags and then utilising the agility of the chassis to power through the many tight corners and rough apexes, rode to fourth and third in the two 35 minute and 2 lap motos after engaging in some frantic action with Arnaud Tonus. His silverware marked the second podium ceremony in succession for the French 20 year old who rose to tenth in the world championship standings despite missing the first four rounds. His scores in the second half of the season, especially the final eight meetings would have drawn him up to third in the category.

The top Yamaha rider in the 2010 series was Bike it Cosworth Yamaha's Zach Osborne. The American did what he needed to do in Fermo and finishes of eighth (he had to lower his speed with a suspected mechanical glitch) and fifth, for sixth overall elevated him to fourth in the world. Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi duo Christophe Charlier and Harri Kullas ended their first seasons at the highest level with ninth and thirteenth respectively in Italy. Kullas admitted that the track and flat hard-pack was a tough ask for him but his points helped towards an impressive eleventh in the championship (second best rookie) with Charlier riding well at Fermo (in spite of a dislodged seat in the second moto) but lamenting a thumb injury that meant he couldn't threaten his team-mate's position in the standings and rested twelfth. Wedged between the pair at Fermo was Yamaha Monster Energy Ricci MX Team's Alessandro Lupino with eleventh overall and his third best points haul of 2010. The Italian closed 2010 with fourteenth in the MX2-GP table. The last round of seven in the FIM Women's World Championship saw Chiara Fontanesi narrowly miss out on victory after an entertaining tussle with Larissa Papenmeier. The Italian was runner-up on the YZ250F and celebrated a chequered flag in the first moto on Sunday. Osborne, Lupino and Kullas will be in the USA in two weeks and could be joined by Paulin for the biggest race of the year.

Gautier Paulin, Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team: "I was a bit hesitant on this track with the big down-hills and I have to improve on these types of circuits. It took me a little too long to get a good rhythm and feel sharp on the bike. I was riding a bit tight because of the watering and the slipperiness. My results have been good and I would have had another podium in Brazil if Simpson had not jumped on me and broken the water pipe. I feel motivated by what we have done in the last few races and now it looks as though I might be at the Nations. I will stay in Italy and prepare this week on the 450. I'm excited." Zach Osborne, Bike it Cosworth Yamaha: "I'm just so happy with the way everything is going. We struggled a bit in the first moto and I knew for the second I would just have to put it on the line. It was a bit of a gamble but I pushed hard and it worked out. To finish fourth is huge and I felt the pressure before the second race. This result is good for the morale, the sponsors and everyone connected with the team. I am just so pumped to be here." Harri Kullas, Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi: "It was a difficult weekend because it was an ungraded hard-pack track and those are the hardest conditions for me. I did my best today. I wheelied out of the first start and my riding could have better but I got away faster in the second race. I was sixth on the first corners but I was too cautious and slow at the beginning. I was catching up by the end but it was too late. I'm the second best rookie of the year and I'm happy with that. It has been a good season and I scored in all but one moto so thanks to my mechanic and the team." Christophe Charlier, Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi: "This season I have learned a lot and now I have big motivation to train for next year. The goal will be a top five result. I had a few problems this season but I know what I have to do for 2011 and the last few races have been good."