Monster Energy Yamaha will use the determination, speed and relentless effort of David Philippaerts for the fifth season in a row for 2012. The Italian has come to embody the image of the exemplary crew from Parma through his application to getting the job done on the track and honing the YZ450FM as an effective racing ‘weapon’.
In his four years with Yamaha to-date Philippaerts has delivered a title (2008), finished fourth (2009) third (2010) and ninth (in an injury-hit 2011) while also ensuring the innovative YZ450F received a promising baptism at the highest level with five podiums, four pole positions and a victory in its maiden term in 2010.

Of Belgian-Italian descent, Philippaerts has decent background in Italian motocross with two national titles in 2003 and 2004. His father and brother both work in the sport and the rider was advised by 1999 500cc world champion Andrea Bartolini in his younger days.

The now-28 year old first came to prominence during 2005 after some positive showings on a 125cc two-stroke in MX2-GP; a personal-best was achieved with fourth position at Teutschenthal in Germany. He was given a factory four-stroke after an injury to brand-mate Tyla Rattray in the wake of his German efforts and his career headed on a rapid upward trajectory from that moment. 

2005 yielded two wins, his first at St Jean d’Angely, France (only three weeks after his debut podium finish in Great Britain) and then another in South Africa. Now a main player in the MX2-GP cast list, Philippaerts returned stronger, fitter and more confident for 2006 and increased his statistics. Four wins were complimented by six podiums and 3rd position in the championship in what was arguably the most competitive season to-date for MX2.

Philippaerts’ strong will marked him as a viable contender in 2007 even if it was his first season on a 450cc motorcycle in MX1-GP. He quickly established himself as part of the leading group and gained his first silverware in Portugal for round three. By the end of the campaign he had accumulated six podium results in total (second only to Coppins) and had seen the chequered flag first in two motos. His overall win in Germany meant that he was the second rider ever to claim success in both classes. Finishing sixth in the series he was able to seal a dream move to the works Yamaha set-up and becomes the first Italian rider to work with the Rinaldis since the start of the century.

Number ‘19’ joined the exclusive ranks of Yamaha Italian champions such as Andrea Bartolini, Alessio Chiodi and Antonio Cairoli in 2008. He needed only two Grand Prix to take his first podium with the YZ450FM before scoring his first moto win at round three in Portugal and his first triumph for Yamaha in Bulgaria for round four. He inherited the red plate as series leader in Portugal and would only lose it once up to that fateful and emotional day in front of his home fans at Faenza for the last race of the year and championship success. Highlights of a memorable 2008 included some awe-inspiring comeback rides in Italy, Great Britain and Czech Republic (where he claimed his second victory) and a daunting display in the sand of Lierop for the penultimate race against his Belgian title-rivals.

As defending champion in 2009 Philippaerts was one member of a large and extremely talented rank of characters in MX1-GP. He was held back by some fitness issues and a broken finger sustained at the Grand Prix of Portugal but climbed the podium 5 times and savoured victory at the British Grand Prix in May. He was disappointed to be nudged out of third spot overall at the final GP of the year in Brazil but his emphatic charge to seize second place in the second moto of the 2009 Motocross of Nations at Franciacorta several weeks later was arguably his most eye-catching performance of the twelve months.

In 2010 he scaled the top of the podium in France for the first ever GP win for the 2010 YZ450FM and added another four trophies. ‘DP19’ developed the bike throughout its first racing year and was pushing for the vice-champion position up until the final event in Italy. Sadly a small knee injury at Fermo meant he could not grab the ‘no.2’ for 2011 or represent his country at the Nations two weeks later.

For 2011 Philippaerts had a new MX1-GP team-mate in the shape of Frenchman Steven Frossard and although he suffered some moments of misfortune (brake failure and hitting the gate in Germany) he was also a regular contender for podiums and took a superb victory at Indaiatuba for the Grand Prix of Brazil. Sadly David’s season was curtailed a few days before round twelve in the Czech Republic when a training accident led to two broken wrists and a three month period of recovery.

Now back to full fitness and eager to return to the top level after the ’11 setback, Philippaerts will once more form a valuable part of Yamaha’s motocross racing effort. A good-looking, polite and accommodating individual, David enjoys time at home with his girlfriend Alice. He is a fan of cycling, dogs and spending time with his nieces and nephews.