David Philippaerts comes into the Yamaha Monster Motocross Team after a stand-out debut season in the MX1-GP category. The Italian is a winner of six Grand Prix in the MX2-GP class and became the second rider in world championship history to have claimed victories in both categories when he stood atop the podium in Germany last May.

Of Belgian-Italian descent, Philippaerts splits his time between the two countries and has a decent background in Italian motocross with two national titles in 2003 and 2004.

The 24 year old (his age at the start of the 2008 campaign) 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 and determination marked him out as a viable contender in 2007 even if it was his first season on a 450cc motorcycle. He quickly established himself as part of the leading group and gained his first MX1-GP 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. Finishing sixth overall 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.
 
A good-looking, polite and helpful individual, Philippaerts is a welcome addition and a valuable asset to the Yamaha Monster Motocross Team.