Monster Energy Yamaha begins to take shape for 2012‏

Monster Energy Yamaha have confirmed one half of the six-rider crew that
will tackle the 2012 FIM Motocross World Championship on factory
YZ450FM and YZ250FM technology and are delighted to announced that
Steven Frossard, David Philippaerts and Christophe Charlier will
continue to run the distinctive ‘black and green’ livery for next year.



The Michele Rinaldi-owned section of the squad will
once more count on the services of Frossard and Philippaerts on the
works YZ450FM motorcycles as the most successful crew in the short
history of the MX1-GP class (four titles in eight years) enters its
second term with the talented Frenchman – set to finish as runner-up in
his maiden season – and the determined Italian who clinched the team’s
last crown in 2008.



Frossard has gathered six podiums in the previous
thirteen rounds (ahead of the fourteenth event of fifteen this weekend
at Gaildorf in Germany) and celebrated two victories. Philippaerts was a
usual protagonist at the front of the field and triumphed at the Grand
Prix of Brazil before his season was unfortunately cut short with a
training accident. Joining the pair on the works YZ250FM will be former
European Champion and highly rated teenage hotshot Charlier, who will
begin only his third term as a Grand Prix racer.



Monster Energy Yamaha will field another two riders
in MX2-GP and another individual on the YZ450F in MX1-GP and the
structure of the full set-up will be announced shortly.



“I’m very happy that we can continue at our high
level with Steven and David in MX1-GP thanks to Monster Energy and
Yamaha,” said Michele Rinaldi who will start his twenty-first year of
racing with Yamaha. “Steven has had a very good first season and we have
been encouraged by what he can do and the approach he has to his
racing. With David we clearly have a strong relationship and he is a
proven title contender for a number of years now. I believe with these
two very capable riders we will be at the front again in 2012. I’m also
pleased that Christophe will be coming to work with us. His talent on a
motorcycle is very clear to see and we hope with some continued guidance
we will be able to see his real potential on our YZ250FM.”



“I want to express my thanks to Monster Energy as
next year will represent our fifth season together and I can say they
are a long-term motocross partner for their extended trust in Yamaha,’
said Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager Laurens Klein Koerkamp. “Our
partnership is working really well, not only in terms of results but
also in the shared marketing and image benefits. With our 2012 line up
we are ready to challenge for both the MX1 and MX2 world titles again.
In MX1 we are even stronger with Steven now having an MX1 year under his
belt and David has proven this year again he has the speed to win. We
know Christophe has huge amount of ability and we hope for him to
benefit from the immense experience in the Rinaldi squad, both on and
off the track, so he can improve his skills through a possible different
training and racing approach. We expect to announce the second half of
our racing effort for next season in the coming weeks.”



About Monster Energy:


The #1 by-volume sales energy drink in the United
States, Monster Energy supports the sport. Be it MX, insane distance
jumping, SX, off-road, trial, FMX, WRC, MotoGP, Superbikes, supermoto,
skis, boards, snowmobiles, skate, MTB, wake, surf, snow, BMX. Available
types are: Original Monster Energy, Monster Lo-Carb, Monster Ripper,
Monster Khaos, available in the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Spain,
Germany, Austria, Monaco, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden,
Finland, Norway, Hungary, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, South
Africa and UAE. On the Net at www.monsterenergy.com.



Steven Frossard



Date of Birth: 14/07/1987


Birth Place: Lyon


Home Town: Lyon


Nationality: French


Weight: 75kg


Height: 179cm


Marital Status: Single, girlfriend Lesly


Hobbies: Jet-ski, video games, Cinema, DIY



Career Highlights:



2011: First season in MX1-GP, first with Monster Energy Yamaha, winner of French and Swedish MX1-GPs


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




David Philippaerts



Date of Birth: 07/12/1983


Place of Birth: Pietrasanta, Tuscany


Nationality: Italian


Residence: Milan


Height: 180cm


Weight: 75kg


Marital Status: Single, girlfriend Alice


Hobbies: Mountain biking, running, radio controlled cars



Career Highlights



2011: Brazilian MX1-GP Grand Prix winner


2010: 3rd Motocross MX1-GP World Championship


2009: 4th Motocross MX1-GP World Championship


2008: Motocross MX1-GP World Champion, first season with Yamaha


2007: 6th Motocross MX1-GP World Championship


2006: 3rd Motocross MX2-GP World Championship


2005: 4th Motocross MX2-GP World Championship


2004: 19th Motocross MX2-GP World Championship


2003: Italian Champion, 125cc




Christophe Charlier



Date of Birth: 20/07/1991


Birth Place: Ajaccio (Corsica)


Home Town: Ajaccio


Nationality: French


Weight: 80kg


Height: 183cm


Marital Status: Single, girlfriend


Hobbies: Jet-ski, pit-bike racing, enduro



Career Highlights



2011: MX2-GP World Championship


2010: 12th MX2-GP World Championship, MX2 Italian Champion


2009: MX2 European Champion


2008: 8th MX2 European Championship


2007: French SX Tour Champion