David Vuillemin
Encyclopedia
David Vuillemin is a French professional motocross
rider born on 18 October 1977 in Berre-l'Étang
, Bouches-du-Rhône
.
Supercross
. In 1996 he began to alternate between the United States, where he participated in the West 125cc championship, and the championships back Europe. In 1997 He took his first ever win in the USA as well as the European Supercross Championship title.
In 1999, he won the World supercross
championship.
Vuillemin moved to the United States in 2000 full time to contest the Supercross Class Championships.
In 2000, he switched to the 250cc and, as a rider for the Yamaha
factory racing team. In his rookie season he won four races (San Diego, Phoenix, Minneapolis, New Orleans) in the supercross series on a YZ 250 and was in contention for the title. David stunned the US fans by beating Jeremy McGrath several times. His win in Phoenix was a special one as he was able to beat McGrath from behind, something that no one else could do at the time. He also won two outdoor motocross nationals (Sacramento
and Mount Morris
).
In 2001, he took his best finishes of fourth place at Daytona Beach and Salt Lake City. He also suffered a broken collar bone at the Minneapolis round putting a damper on his 2001 Supercross effort. In the AMA
250cc motocross series, he took the overall victory at the Mt. Morris round, and had five additional overall top-five finishes.
In 2002, he started the Supercross Series off with a win at Anaheim. Vuillemin won the AMA 250cc Supercross series races at Anaheim, San Diego, and Indianapolis
, and earned 10 additional podium finishes and led Ricky Carmichael for half the championship until a mid week crash before the Dayton round would break Vuillemins shoulder blade forcing him to sit out the Daytona race and give up 25 points to Carmichael as well as the lead in the Championship. David never finished outside the 250cc Supercross top four and finished the Championship 2nd. His performance earned him "The Comeback Rider of the Year Award" at the end of the season banquet. Vuillemin raced a limited season in the AMA 250cc U.S. Motocross Championship after reinjuring his shoulder and forcing him to have surgery. He did however earn an overall second place finish at Sacramento
.
In 2003, Vuillemin raced a limited AMA 250cc Supercross season. He earned five podium finishes before breaking his back in the Daytona round putting him out for the remainder of the series. He contested the AMA 250cc U.S. Motocross Championship, earning five overall top five finishes.
Vuillemin contested the AMA 250cc Supercross series in 2004, earning seven podium finishes. He also raced in the AMA 250cc Motocross Championship, earning two overall podium finishes.
He posted similar results in 2005, fourth place in AMA Supercross series and fourth in AMA Motocross with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.
For the 2006 season, he rode for the Bookoo/Honda
team. This collaboration unfortunately did not work as expected. A reality show, The Reality of Speed
was shot for Speed Channel
during the practice sessions and races, as well as during staff meetings and it was clear to all that the team manager and David did not go along very well. After deciding to leave the team many feared that Vuillemin was about to retire or move back to Europe, but Vuillemin stayed and prove he could race upfront. He bounced back during the 2006 motocross season, as a privateer
, riding a Yamaha YZ 450F. His greatly improved results placed him 7th overall and 1st privateer. His best finish came at the Millville round with a 2nd place overall behind Ricky Carmichal and ahead of James "Bubba" Stewart.
Vuillemin switched to the Team XYIENCE MDK, riding a Honda
CRF
450 in 2007. His first race with the team came at the US Open in Las Vegas. On the first night Vuillemin led Carmichael and Stewart for half the race before falling to 3rd where he would finish. Vuillemin finished sixth in the American Supercross Championship earning him the Top Privateer Award. He finished tenth in the American Motocross Championship in the 450cc Class.
In the 2008 season, Vuillemin earned his way back to a Factory team racing for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki
Team racing in the USA in both Supercross and Motocross in the 450cc class on the new fuel injected Suzuki
RMZ. Vuillemin put in some great rides but also suffered several injuries forcing him to decide to retire racing in the US and return to Europe so he could finish his career where it started.
In 2009, Vuillemin raced a Kawasaki in Europe contesting the World Grand Prix Series as well as the French Championship. David was able to win the Elite MX1 class French National Title one las time before retiring at the end of the season.
After the 2009 season David spent time training and helping several riders and teams before accepting a job with the Motoconcepts Racing. He is currently working with them as Team Manager. Vuillemin is now prepared to showcase his ability off the track. Said Mike Genova, Team Owner and Entrepreneur, “DV knows exactly what it takes to win; he’s proven that on the track, without a doubt. David is also renowned for being able to set up and fine-tune the machinery to perfection. These attributes, plus his intelligence, sincere manner, and his fan and rider-friendly charisma, made the decision to hire him a no-brainer.”
First Wins: First 125 GP win in Belgium 98, first 250 GP win in Greece 99, first 250 USA SX win in San Diego 2000. "The "first wins" are great because that is what I've been working for since I was little." David Vuillemin
French National MX1 Champion
2008
2007
Top Privateer
2006
1st Place - Barcelona Supercross
1st Place - Fuente Alamo Supercross
6th Place - AMA Supercross
10th Place - AMA Motocross
2nd Place - Spring Creek MX Park
3 Top-Five finishes in the in the AMA Supercross and Outdoor Nationals
12 top-ten finishes
2005
Team Yamaha USA
4th Championship US SX 250
2004
Team Yamaha USA
4th Championship US SX 250
4th Championship US MX 250
2003
Team Yamaha USA
7th Championship US SX 250
6th Championship US MX 250
2nd place a US Open Las Vegas
2002
Team Yamaha USA
2nd Place AMA SX 250
2001
Team Yamaha USA
8th Championship US SX 250
5th Championship US MX 250
King Of Supercross de Paris Bercy (250)
Winner of the SX Stade de France in Paris, France
Winner Motocross des Nations (with Seguy and Demaria)
2000
Team Yamaha USA
Winner SX US 250 : 4 victoires
4th MX US 250 : 2 victoires at Sacramento (CA) and Mt. Morris (PA)
5th World SX Championship 250
King of Bercy 2000
Winner of the Stade de France in Paris, France
1999
Yamaha Motor France
3rd World MX Championship 250cc
World SX Champion 250cc
King of Bercy 1999
Winner du Stade de France
1998
Yamaha Motor France
French National Champion SX 250
French Motocross Elite Champion 125
Vice-Champion USA 125cc West SX US 125cc
Vice-Champion World MX Championship 125cc
Vice-Champion World SX Championship 250cc
Winner Stade de France
1997
Champion d'Europe SX 125
Champion France SX 125
4th 125cc USA SX West Coast
Vice-Champion France Elite 125cc
6th World Championship 125cc
Prince of Bercy 1997
1996
Champion d'Europe SX 125
Champion de France SX 125
6th France Elite Championship
16th World Championship 125cc
Prince of Bercy 1996
1995
1994
1993
7th France 125 Juniors Championship
8th France SX championship 125
1992
12th France 125 Junior Championship
1991
Vice-Champion Minivert " 80 cadet "
3rd France 80 Cadet Championship
1990
Champion Minivert " 80 minime "
3rd France 80 Cadet Championship
1989
Champion Minivert " 80 Educatif "
Champion de Provence 80cc
1988
Champion de Provence 60cc
David is married to Erica Vuillemin, an American Citizen with whom he has 2 children.
He is a soccer
and basketball
fan, two sports that he practiced when he was young. He is an avid supporter of Olympique de Marseille
and of the Los Angeles Lakers
.
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
rider born on 18 October 1977 in Berre-l'Étang
Berre-l'Étang
Berre-l'Étang is a commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Bouches-du-Rhône
Bouches-du-Rhône
Bouches-du-Rhône is a department in the south of France named after the mouth of the Rhône River. It is the most populous department of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Its INSEE and postal code is 13.-History of the department:...
.
Amateur career
Vuillemin started racing at age 8 and was coached by his father Didier, himself a former professional rider. David had much success as an amateur and won many titles in France and Europe. He won his first major race in 1994, at the MetzMetz
Metz is a city in the northeast of France located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille rivers.Metz is the capital of the Lorraine region and prefecture of the Moselle department. Located near the tripoint along the junction of France, Germany, and Luxembourg, Metz forms a central place...
Supercross
Supercross
Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
. In 1996 he began to alternate between the United States, where he participated in the West 125cc championship, and the championships back Europe. In 1997 He took his first ever win in the USA as well as the European Supercross Championship title.
Professional career
David Vuillemin, spent the first part of his career racing and winning 125cc and 250cc Supercross and Motocross championships in Europe. David Vuillemin first landed on U.S. shores back in ‘96 as a guest of FMF Racing. Having seen the kid in action in Europe, Don Emler and crew imported the French teenager to contest a few rounds of the 125cc West SX Series. David got his first taste of Victory stateside in 1997 winning at the Kingdome in Seattle. Before moving to the States full time David collected the 1999 World Supercross Title. Stateside, the Frenchman is a seven-time Supercross winner and three-time Motocross winner. He has more than 40 podium finishes to his credit, and he was the top SX privateer in 2007 and the top MX privateer in 2006. He is one of only a couple riders that can say they say they beat Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael at the peek of their careers. David was also a member of the only winning French Motocross Des Nations team in 2001 and is currently the All Time King of Bercy. In the almost 30 year history of the event, no one was won more than Vuillemin.In 1999, he won the World supercross
Supercross
Supercross is a motorcycle racing sport involving off-road motorcycles on an artificially-made dirt tracks consisting of steep jumps and obstacles. Professional supercross contest races are held almost exclusively within professional baseball and football stadiums.-History:Supercross was derived...
championship.
Vuillemin moved to the United States in 2000 full time to contest the Supercross Class Championships.
In 2000, he switched to the 250cc and, as a rider for the Yamaha
Yamaha Motor Company
, is a Japanese motorized vehicle-producing company. Yamaha Motor is part of Yamaha Corporation and its headquarter is located in Iwata, Shizuoka. Along with expanding Yamaha Corporation into the world's biggest piano maker, then Yamaha CEO Genichi Kawakami took Yamaha into the field of motorized...
factory racing team. In his rookie season he won four races (San Diego, Phoenix, Minneapolis, New Orleans) in the supercross series on a YZ 250 and was in contention for the title. David stunned the US fans by beating Jeremy McGrath several times. His win in Phoenix was a special one as he was able to beat McGrath from behind, something that no one else could do at the time. He also won two outdoor motocross nationals (Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
and Mount Morris
Mount Morris
- Places :In the United States:* Mount Morris, Illinois* Mount Morris, Michigan* Mount Morris , New York** Mount Morris , New York* Mount Morris, Pennsylvania* Mount Morris, Wisconsin, a town...
).
In 2001, he took his best finishes of fourth place at Daytona Beach and Salt Lake City. He also suffered a broken collar bone at the Minneapolis round putting a damper on his 2001 Supercross effort. In the AMA
American Motorcyclist Association
The American Motorcyclist Association is an American not-for-profit organization of more than 300,000 motorcyclists that organizes numerous motorcycling activities and campaigns for motorcyclists' legal rights...
250cc motocross series, he took the overall victory at the Mt. Morris round, and had five additional overall top-five finishes.
In 2002, he started the Supercross Series off with a win at Anaheim. Vuillemin won the AMA 250cc Supercross series races at Anaheim, San Diego, and Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
, and earned 10 additional podium finishes and led Ricky Carmichael for half the championship until a mid week crash before the Dayton round would break Vuillemins shoulder blade forcing him to sit out the Daytona race and give up 25 points to Carmichael as well as the lead in the Championship. David never finished outside the 250cc Supercross top four and finished the Championship 2nd. His performance earned him "The Comeback Rider of the Year Award" at the end of the season banquet. Vuillemin raced a limited season in the AMA 250cc U.S. Motocross Championship after reinjuring his shoulder and forcing him to have surgery. He did however earn an overall second place finish at Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
.
In 2003, Vuillemin raced a limited AMA 250cc Supercross season. He earned five podium finishes before breaking his back in the Daytona round putting him out for the remainder of the series. He contested the AMA 250cc U.S. Motocross Championship, earning five overall top five finishes.
Vuillemin contested the AMA 250cc Supercross series in 2004, earning seven podium finishes. He also raced in the AMA 250cc Motocross Championship, earning two overall podium finishes.
He posted similar results in 2005, fourth place in AMA Supercross series and fourth in AMA Motocross with the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.
For the 2006 season, he rode for the Bookoo/Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
team. This collaboration unfortunately did not work as expected. A reality show, The Reality of Speed
The Reality of Speed
The Reality of Speed is an unscripted television series that ran on SpikeTV and Speed Channel from 2004 to 2006. The show was produced in Dallas, TX.- Season 1 :Season 1 consisted of 48 episodes that aired in 2004 on SpikeTV...
was shot for Speed Channel
SPEED Channel
Speed , is a cable and satellite television network broadcast to various parts of North America, but primarily the United States...
during the practice sessions and races, as well as during staff meetings and it was clear to all that the team manager and David did not go along very well. After deciding to leave the team many feared that Vuillemin was about to retire or move back to Europe, but Vuillemin stayed and prove he could race upfront. He bounced back during the 2006 motocross season, as a privateer
Privateer (motorsport)
In motor sport, a privateer is usually an entrant into a racing event that is not directly supported by an automobile manufacturer. Privateers teams are often found competing in rally and circuit racing events, and often include competitors who build and maintain their own vehicles...
, riding a Yamaha YZ 450F. His greatly improved results placed him 7th overall and 1st privateer. His best finish came at the Millville round with a 2nd place overall behind Ricky Carmichal and ahead of James "Bubba" Stewart.
Vuillemin switched to the Team XYIENCE MDK, riding a Honda
Honda
is a Japanese public multinational corporation primarily known as a manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles.Honda has been the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer since 1959, as well as the world's largest manufacturer of internal combustion engines measured by volume, producing more than...
CRF
CRF
CRF may refer to:Science and technology* Corticotropin-releasing factor, also called corticotropin-releasing hormone and corticoliberin, is a polypeptide hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the stress response...
450 in 2007. His first race with the team came at the US Open in Las Vegas. On the first night Vuillemin led Carmichael and Stewart for half the race before falling to 3rd where he would finish. Vuillemin finished sixth in the American Supercross Championship earning him the Top Privateer Award. He finished tenth in the American Motocross Championship in the 450cc Class.
In the 2008 season, Vuillemin earned his way back to a Factory team racing for the Rockstar Makita Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
Team racing in the USA in both Supercross and Motocross in the 450cc class on the new fuel injected Suzuki
Suzuki
is a Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Hamamatsu, Japan that specializes in manufacturing compact automobiles and 4x4 vehicles, a full range of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles , outboard marine engines, wheelchairs and a variety of other small internal combustion engines...
RMZ. Vuillemin put in some great rides but also suffered several injuries forcing him to decide to retire racing in the US and return to Europe so he could finish his career where it started.
In 2009, Vuillemin raced a Kawasaki in Europe contesting the World Grand Prix Series as well as the French Championship. David was able to win the Elite MX1 class French National Title one las time before retiring at the end of the season.
After the 2009 season David spent time training and helping several riders and teams before accepting a job with the Motoconcepts Racing. He is currently working with them as Team Manager. Vuillemin is now prepared to showcase his ability off the track. Said Mike Genova, Team Owner and Entrepreneur, “DV knows exactly what it takes to win; he’s proven that on the track, without a doubt. David is also renowned for being able to set up and fine-tune the machinery to perfection. These attributes, plus his intelligence, sincere manner, and his fan and rider-friendly charisma, made the decision to hire him a no-brainer.”
First Wins: First 125 GP win in Belgium 98, first 250 GP win in Greece 99, first 250 USA SX win in San Diego 2000. "The "first wins" are great because that is what I've been working for since I was little." David Vuillemin
Results
2009French National MX1 Champion
2008
2007
Top Privateer
2006
1st Place - Barcelona Supercross
1st Place - Fuente Alamo Supercross
6th Place - AMA Supercross
10th Place - AMA Motocross
2nd Place - Spring Creek MX Park
3 Top-Five finishes in the in the AMA Supercross and Outdoor Nationals
12 top-ten finishes
2005
Team Yamaha USA
4th Championship US SX 250
2004
Team Yamaha USA
4th Championship US SX 250
4th Championship US MX 250
2003
Team Yamaha USA
7th Championship US SX 250
6th Championship US MX 250
2nd place a US Open Las Vegas
2002
Team Yamaha USA
2nd Place AMA SX 250
2001
Team Yamaha USA
8th Championship US SX 250
5th Championship US MX 250
King Of Supercross de Paris Bercy (250)
Winner of the SX Stade de France in Paris, France
Winner Motocross des Nations (with Seguy and Demaria)
2000
Team Yamaha USA
Winner SX US 250 : 4 victoires
4th MX US 250 : 2 victoires at Sacramento (CA) and Mt. Morris (PA)
5th World SX Championship 250
King of Bercy 2000
Winner of the Stade de France in Paris, France
1999
Yamaha Motor France
3rd World MX Championship 250cc
World SX Champion 250cc
King of Bercy 1999
Winner du Stade de France
1998
Yamaha Motor France
French National Champion SX 250
French Motocross Elite Champion 125
Vice-Champion USA 125cc West SX US 125cc
Vice-Champion World MX Championship 125cc
Vice-Champion World SX Championship 250cc
Winner Stade de France
1997
Champion d'Europe SX 125
Champion France SX 125
4th 125cc USA SX West Coast
Vice-Champion France Elite 125cc
6th World Championship 125cc
Prince of Bercy 1997
1996
Champion d'Europe SX 125
Champion de France SX 125
6th France Elite Championship
16th World Championship 125cc
Prince of Bercy 1996
1995
- Vice-Champion Europe SX 125
- Vice-Champion France SX 125
- 6th France Elite Championship 125
- 31st World Championship 125
1994
- 4th France Junior Championship
- 11th France Elite Championship 125
- 5th France SX Championship 125
1993
7th France 125 Juniors Championship
8th France SX championship 125
1992
12th France 125 Junior Championship
1991
Vice-Champion Minivert " 80 cadet "
3rd France 80 Cadet Championship
1990
Champion Minivert " 80 minime "
3rd France 80 Cadet Championship
1989
Champion Minivert " 80 Educatif "
Champion de Provence 80cc
1988
Champion de Provence 60cc
Personal Life
His most common nickname is "Cobra" or "Le Cobra". The most commonly-accepted reason is his unnatural riding position, crouched forward, which itself is explained by the fact that his is taller (6'2", 1.88m) than the average professional motocross rider.David is married to Erica Vuillemin, an American Citizen with whom he has 2 children.
He is a soccer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
fan, two sports that he practiced when he was young. He is an avid supporter of Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille
Olympique de Marseille is a French association football club based in Marseille. Founded in 1899, the club plays in Ligue 1 and have spent most of its history in the top tier of French football. Marseille have been French champions nine times and have won the Coupe de France a record ten times. In...
and of the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
.