The most prolific unit in the FIM Motocross World Championship this century faces a new set of challenges for 2010. For the first time since 2005 Yamaha Monster Energy Motocross Team will divide their interests between the two MX1-GP and MX2-GP categories. With 2008 number one David Philippaerts entrusted with the team’s representation in the premier division, new recruit Gautier Paulin will attempt to deliver the crew’s first MX2-GP crown and the first for Yamaha since 2007. Both riders will steer the development work done by the staff and YRRD group for the new YZ450F and YZ250F.

The partnership between Yamaha and the Rinaldi team was an immediate success, soaring to the 1992 250cc world title with the late Donny Schmit. Since then the association has continued to grow and prosper, maintaining a place in the upper echelons of the sport. In 1994 the Italian squad reaped more acclaim in a different category when another American, Bob Moore, sealed the 125cc Championship. The Rinaldis carried on running the factory's official 125 and 250cc efforts, while the YRRD (Yamaha Rinaldi R&D) program founded in 1995, started developing a range of race-winning special parts for the company's two-stroke YZ machines.

Further on-track glory came when the team began campaigning Yamaha's factory four-strokes in 1999; it was to be the start of a comprehensive streak of results. Andrea Bartolini won the 500 world title with the production based YZ400F in that first year, with Marnicq Bervoets taking the runner-up position the following term.

Since 2001 Stefan Everts stamped his mark on the sport with Rinaldi-run Yamaha's in a six season consecutive spell of Championship domination. The initial pieces of silverware were taken with the YZ500FM, a machine jointly developed by Yamaha and the Rinaldi team in 2001 and 2002, before switching to the YZ450FM for the new MX1 category (for 450cc four-stroke and 250cc two-strokes). Everts added four back-to-back titles on the YZ450FM, between 2003 and 2006 before retiring undefeated in September ‘06.

With Everts’ retirement the reigning champs had a brand new line-up for 2007 with 2005 runner-up Josh Coppins coming onboard and instantly filling the role of favourite for the upcoming series.

The hard-working New Zealander immediately forged a promising synergy with the team and also the YZ450FM. They won the first Grand Prix of the season in the sand of Valkenswaard. Coppins dominated further rounds in Spain and Italy taking five victories and nine moto wins. The Kiwi led the championship for fourteen of the fifteen Grand Prix before an injury cruelly robbed the rider, team and Yamaha of a well-deserved championship. Some consolation was provided by the statistics that clearly showed Coppins as a righteous victor and the YZ machinery was again a leading protagonist with the luckless Marc de Reuver’s late swansong triumph in the Dutch sand of Lierop providing a pleasing climax to a fateful 2007.

Coppins started 2008 as one of the main contenders for the MX1-GP crown but faced adversity from a pre-season foot injury, some bad luck on the track and his new team-mate David Philippaerts. While Coppins would dominate the German Grand Prix, score 3 podiums and push for the title until the final two rounds it was Philippaerts who really shone in his maiden campaign as a Yamaha rider.

The Tuscan gained his first podium as early as round two in Spain and then followed the achievement with a first moto win on the YZ450FM at Portugal for round three, and onto his first Grand Prix victory in Bulgaria for round four. Philippaerts climbed to the top of the world championship standings in Portugal and was only dislodged once in the following 12 events. A total of 7 rostrum appearances and fabulous races, like a second win at Loket (Czech Republic for round twelve) and ruthless speed in the rough sand of Lierop (Holland, round fourteen), led to an emotional and fantastical home Grand Prix at Faenza in which he was declared 2008 world champion.

The scenes of jubilation and celebration at a wet Faenza marked Philippaerts’ first title in just his second MX1-GP season, they also signified that the Yamaha Monster Energy MX Team had regained their status as ‘number one’; a position that had been theirs every season since the inception of the category in 2004 with the exception of an ill-fated 2007.

2009 saw two victories and eight podiums secured as Philippearts would finish 4th in the championship in what was the last championship with the refined YZ450FM.

The Yamaha - Rinaldi connection has become very close over the years. The racing team is the most recognisable element for the general public, but the Rinaldi group is also deeply involved in technical development, all under the management of Yamaha Motor Europe. 'Yamaha Rinaldi R&D' (YRRD) parts are developed for the MX1 team and several MX2 riders also race with special YRRD GP components. In addition, YRRD produces motocross racing kits available to the YZ riders all over the world through Yamaha's distributors.

Day-to-day responsibilities and running of the team belongs to Massimo 'Mino' Raspanti, a very experienced technician, having worked with Bartolini and Everts as a mechanic. He is backed by a proficient five-man crew to reinforce the team’s widespread positive image and unprecedented track record that stands at 8 titles in the last 11 years.

Counting on Monster Energy backing for the third year in a row the team will also switch their suspension to Ohlins and again hope to spearhead Yamaha’s unparalleled presence and rate of success in the Motocross World Championship.