Matteo Bonini will begin his third year as part of Yamaha’s MX2 Motocross World Championship line-up in 2008. The 22 year old enjoyed decent results in his native Italy with two regional 125cc titles and supercross recognition before setting off for his debut full-time Grand Prix campaign in 2005.

Bonini shone as a quick starter and caught the paddock's attention as early as round two at Bellpuig for the Grand Prix of Spain where he captured moto results of ninth and seventh to score sixth position overall. Despite some hard luck he was still able to accumulate 184 points to finish eighteenth for a steady first 'toe-dip' into world championship competition.

Bonini’s signature with title-winning team De Carli Yamaha for 2006 should have been a stepping stone to further heights but a broken wrist pre-season was the start of a frustrating year wrecked by injury. 2007 promised new hope but again the Italian was cursed by physical problems. He finished eighteenth overall again but had moments that showed his potential. At the third round in Portugal he equalled his career-best with sixth and then was exceptionally quick after recovering from ankle damage at Donington Park for the penultimate race on the calendar. The British Grand Prix saw Bonini fighting with the leaders to finish third in the second moto and capture fourth position overall.

Modest and friendly, Matteo is also is house-mates and good friends with Tony Cairoli, and the Italian duo will again be De Carli’s main strike-force in 2008. He will be hoping to stay fully fit in order to run high up the leader-board with the World Champion.