Frossard joins Yamaha Monster Energy MX team for 2011

Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team will expand to accommodate three
riders for the 2011 FIM Motocross World Championship with the
acquisition of 23 year old Frenchman Steven Frossard to steer the
factory YZ450FM in the MX1-GP category.

For the first time since 2005 the
Italian crew will concentrate their efforts on a three rider roster
split between two classes as Frossard makes his MX1-GP debut alongside
2008 world champion David Philippaerts (GP winner and 3rd ranked racer
in the 2010 series) and will also share the awning with countryman and
MX2-GP representative Gautier Paulin.

Frossard has been one of the main
protagonists in the MX2-GP series for the last three seasons and has
been a regular face on the podium as one of the fastest men in the
competition. Hailing from Marseille, Frossard claimed his first grand
prix victory in 2010 and picked up five other trophies on his way to
third in the final classification.

“It is great to be joining a team like
Yamaha Monster Energy MX in my first season in the MX1-GP class,” said
Frossard, who expects to start riding at the end of October. “When
someone like Michele Rinaldi and his crew show an interest in you then
it is a big compliment because the amount of titles they have speaks
for itself. I will have to learn about the bike and the secrets of
racing in MX1 and I plan to work hard over the winter to do the very
best I can in 2011.”

The Frenchman’s potential has been eyed
by Yamaha Motor Europe and YRRD Principal Michele Rinaldi and Yamaha
are pleased to welcome the rider into MX1-GP with the best equipment
and resources the works effort has available.

“We are really pleased to be able to
expand the team and have a rider like Steven with his ability to join
David on the YZ450FM,” said Rinaldi. “We had a busy season in 2010
developing the brand new technology from Yamaha and also working
closely with Ohlins for the first time in many years. We made some
important and successful progress and now we will be able to count on
the information from two riders to remain competitive and at the top of
MX1-GP. Together with Gautier we have three very capable riders for
2011 and I think it will be an exciting adventure for all of us. I
would like to thank Yamaha Motor Europe and our sponsors, especially
Monster Energy for letting the team and Yamaha’s presence in the FIM
world championship grow.”

Frossard burst to prominence in the 2008
FIM MX2-GP world championship where he gained his first podium results
(two, in Germany and Ireland) and announced himself as a candidate for
future wins. He also claimed the French Elite crown the same season
having won the MX2 equivalent three years before. In 2009 he led a
Grand Prix for the first time, grabbed his maiden moto chequered flags
(Bulgaria and Germany) and was runner-up on three occasions of his four
rostrum appearances to take sixth in the world. Frossard also
represented his country for the first time at the Motocross of Nations.
He beat his world championship position by three ranks in 2010 and also
vastly improved his sand riding.


DOB: 14/07/1987


Residence: Marseille


Height: 179cm


Weight: 71kg




Career Highlights:



2011: First season in MX1-GP, first with Yamaha


2010: 3rd in MX2-GP World Championship, winner of Swedish GP


2009: 6th MX2-GP World Championship


2008: 10th MX2-GP World Championship/French Elite Championship


2007: 26th MX2-GP World Championship


2006: 2nd European Championship MX2


2005: French Junior Champion MX2


2004: 2nd French Junior Championship MX2


2003: 15th French Junior Championship


2002: 11th 85cc European championship