Hey DV12 Remember This?

yzthumpa wrote:

Speaking of DV memories, here's one from a few years ago... Until now RC has been the only rider immortalized by a career tribute in the...

Speaking of DV memories, here's one from a few years ago...

Until now RC has been the only rider immortalized by a career tribute in the infamous Thumpa Reports. For RC fans and Suzuki fans alike, the RC-less 2008 season marks the dawn of a new era.



However, motocross and supercross are defined by the art of motion, and Newton's 3rd Law of Motion dictates that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.



Thankfully for the fans, the departure of RC was followed by the signing of David Vuillemin to the factory Suzuki team. And there is no rider more fitting of a 'Thumpa Report' career tribute than DV.

As a youth, DV made his mark on the French motocross scene...



As we all know, the rigors of an amateur motocross career can take a significant financial toll, and it was rumored that DV supported his amateur efforts with a side career as a stunt double for
Cha-ka on the popular TV series 'Land of the Lost'...



Thankfully, the hair did not last...



...but the shearing of DV's mane did not deplete him of his powers as it did the biblical hero Samson, as DV only grew better with age.

DV burst onto the scene in the elite 250 Supercross Class at the pinnacle of McGrath's and the beginning of RC's careers of domination, but early on DV made his message clear...



He would not be dominated.

DV is one of only a select few riders to have beaten both McGrath and RC in their prime. He finished second overall to McGrath in 2000 and to RC in 2002 while stealing several victories from each. One of his most famous victories was a last lap pass of RC at Indy in '02, and DV held the points lead until a photo shoot injury let RC back into the picture.

During an era when most riders conceded victory to either McGrath or RC, DV failed to back down and showed that he had a little something extra...


DV continued his run among the worlds elite. In '03 he posted 6 podium finishes before ending his season with a broken back at Daytona. In '04 he placed 4th overall in SX with another half dozen podiums. He followed that with another 4th overall in '05 with 9 top 5 finishes, continuing his run as one of the most consistent riders of the new millenium - and along the way establishing himself as the undisputed King of Bercy.

But things took a turn for the worse in '06.



DV left Team Yamaha for a seemingly lucrative deal with the newly formed Holigan/BooKoo team managed by Lucky Nichols, but the union turned out to be anything but "lucky." Viewers of the accompanying TV sideshow were left with a feeling that the team (which would soon fold completely) was in disarray, as DV's results took a sudden downturn. Obviously, one of the worlds most consistent riders had not suddenly lost his talents overnight, so the BooKoo experience left fans with a bitter taste in their mouth.


For what appeared to be a great opportunity in a growing era of outside sponsorship, it turned out that there weren't many worse jobs out there that DV could have taken (well....maybe one comes to mind).


In 2007, Team MDK came to the rescue and gave DV's career the rejuvenation that it needed.



DV took home "Privateer of the Year" honors, proving to the naysayers that his talents remained. A new qualifying format arose in SX, and in the advent of the James Stewart era, lap times were reaching scary levels.



Yet DV showed throughout the year that he was one of a select group of riders who could post lap times near those of RC, Reed, and Stewart. During the outdoor season, DV fans received the announcement they had been awaiting, as DV once again struck it big...



...and was signed to the factory Suzuki team for '08. With DV soon to be at the controls of a factory machine once again, no doubt he could barely contain his excitement.



The elation was short lived though as tragedy struck in Millville as DV went down at the Spring Creek national.



DV seemingly had a target on his back as half the field of riders turned him into a human speed bump.



DV suffered multiple fractures that would put him down for months, but one thing could not be broken in DV.


Although the start of new season was still months away, DV was now dealt the worst thing a returning factory rider could face...



After months out due to the injuries sustained at Millville, and a new fuel injected Suzuki 450 requiring untold hours of testing and preparation, DV was reinjured as soon as he returned to riding. Having missed out on months of testing and the European preparatory SX races, DV headed to the '08 SX opener at Anaheim with virtually no seat time - yet tonight at Anaheim in miserable conditions he was still able to pull off a top 10 finish. DV fans can once again bear witness...

...to the rebirth of the Cobra.

Despite all of his noted accomplishments, it is not just his racing achievements that sets DV apart from the pack. What puts DV into another league is his adoration of the fans.



While previous French riders had made their mark on the podium, such as JM Bayle, none had ever endeared themselves to the fans quite like DV has. Along with his French compatriot Stephane Roncada, DV took rider/fan interaction to a whole new level.



With modern fan participation driven by the internet, DV became a leader as one of the few riders to maintain a truly interactive and current website to keep in touch with his fans, update his fans on current events in his life and career, and the events of US and European Motocross and Supercross.
But DV took things a step further as well...



...and faced head-on the rabid - and often abusive - fans of the motocross message boards. He is one of the few (if not only) top level racers to maintain a personal interaction with his fans over the internet. Even his wife Erica, the hottest chick in motocross, is not afraid to jump in the internet scuffles and back up her man. Together, they've also raised the most adorable children in MX.
For all of the reasons listed above, there is no question why the reigning royal family of motocross has maintained such a loyal fan base.



And for that, DV, your fans salute you.

J.F.S wrote:

Good work as always, thumpa