Gariboldi to step up in Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross effort

The Yamaha Monster Energy Gariboldi team will work in closer connection
with Yamaha Motor Europe and YRRD (Yamaha Rinaldi Research and
Development) for what will be their second FIM MX-GP Motocross World
Championship season in 2011 after impressing in their maiden 2010
campaign. The Italian squad brought the talents of 2009 European
Champion Christophe Charlier and promising Finn Harri Kullas to the
highly competitive MX2-GP class on YZ250F machinery and both rookies
finished in the top eleven of the series’ standings. Next year the crew
will add MX1-GP representation to their ranks with the recent signature
of Anthony Boissiere on the YZ450F to give Yamaha a three rider
presence in the premier category.

Gariboldi impressed with their set-up
and dedication to bringing through the hottest young stars on the
European motocross scene; the fruits of their work seen in 2009 when
Charlier convincingly won the European title with the YZ250F. The rise
of the team’s profile led to a slot on the GP gate for 2010 and both
teenagers have vindicated Team Principal Giacomo Gariboldi’s belief in
the potential of his riders and his set-up’s capabilities to keep the
Yamaha brand at the forefront of MX2-GP. Gariboldi will now oversee an
important facet of Yamaha’s presence in the Grand Prix paddock with the
FIM age rule of twenty-three years for MX2-GP racers coming into play
during 2010.

“I’m delighted to be able to continue
the work we have started this season with our top young riders because
I’m sure both Kullas and Charlier will benefit a lot from the
experience they made in their first world championship and progress
from there,” commented Gariboldi. “The addition of the MX1 rider
Anthony Boissiere is a new exciting challenge for the team and we will
put all our efforts to make it a success. I have to thank Yamaha and
YRRD for the increased support they are going to grant the team for
2011 and hope we can build up together a successful operation for the
years to come; all the team’s staff are very excited, motivated and
looking forward to the 2011 campaign.”

"After the first year for Giacomo
Gariboldi and his team in the World Championship we have decided to
expand the relationship,” explained Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager
Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “During their successful rookie season at world
level with Harri and Christophe the team has proven to be professional
and well structured and that they can compete in the top regions. The
team's technical organisation is well controlled with Massimo Castelli,
who has worked with many champions in the past and has worked inside
the Rinaldi Group in the past. We are looking forward to see the team
mature and Harri, Christophe and Anthony fighting for podium
positions".

“We had a good season in 2010 and to
have a stronger connection with Yamaha for next year is really positive
news,” said Kullas. “The link with Monster Energy is also great and I
think it is a big thing for any young athlete to be associated with
such a big energy drink with a cool image. I have to make a step up for
my second season because I was already almost in the top ten at every
race in 2010 and now need to reach for the top five regularly. The
MX2-GP class will be very competitive again and I will do my work in
the winter to be prepared in the best way.”

“I’ve had a couple of injury problems
this year which meant that the season did not go completely as I wanted
it,” said Charlier “but I learnt a lot and I am glad to be working with
the team again and to be part of an exciting project.”

For Boissiere his new squad represents a
return to the brand with whom he initially burst onto the Grand Prix
scene; winning two MX2-GP motos in 2005 on a YZ250F. Since then he has
been a fast competitor in the MX2 and then MX1-GP categories but has
fought for full fitness after some unfortunate luck with injuries. 2008
saw the Frenchman gain his first podium trophies with MX2-GP success in
France and the Czech Republic. He moved into MX1-GP for 2010 and it was
his potential on the bigger machine that caught the eye and bolstered
his profile. “My first year with Yamaha was in 2004 which was also my
first time with a four-stroke and my first season in the world
championship,” he said. “2005 is when it became crazy as I won motos at
my home GP and also in South Africa and since then I’ve been pushing to
get to the same level. I'm really happy to work with the Gariboldi
team. It is a good structure and the bikes are very competitive. I will
be training hard this winter for a good year in 2011.”

Anthony Boissiere



Name: Anthony Boissiere


Date of birth: October 16, 1985


Place of birth: Ganges, France


Nationality: French


Residence: Moules et Baucels


Height: 1.73 m


Weight: 70 kg


Marital Status: Single, girlfriend


Hobbies: Jet skiing, cycling, music



Career highlights



2010: 16th MX1 World Championship


2009: 18th MX2 World Championship


2008: 12th MX2 World Championship


2007: 15th MX2 World Championship


2006: 18th MX2 World Championship


2005: 13th MX2 World Championship with 2 heats victories – 3rd in French Elite Championship


2004: 13th MX2 World Championship – 2nd in French Elite Championship


2003: Junior French Champion – 4th in French Elite Championship


2002: 6th in Junior French Championship