Motocross: World Championship Brazil summary

Parts Unlimited and Thor Motocross

2009 FIM Motocross World Championship Wraps Up in Brazil Thor Riders Philippaerts and Coppins Post Solid Seasons

The lengthy FIM Motocross World Championship season drew to a close last weekend with the 15th and final round from Canelinha, Brazil. Beginning in late March, the World MX GP travels all over Europe with a lone stop in South America throughout the summer and into the early part of September. With competition crossing over seven months, the World Championship is a true test of endurance and the riders that prevail at season's end rightfully earn their distinction as the best rider in the world.

2008 MX1 champion and Thor/Parts Unlimited rider David Philippaerts entered 2009 as the man to beat. His Monster Yamaha teammate Josh Coppins was also a title favorite after a solid 2008 season of his own. However, one of the deepest fields the series has ever seen created considerable parity within the premier division, resulting in eight different winners throughout the 15 events, including a win apiece for the Yamaha duo.

Heavy rains greeted the World Championships during its inaugural trip to the new facility in the Santa Catarina province. With concern over the condition of the track, the series' lone trip to South America was sure to be memorable as champions were ready to be crowned.

With Saturday qualifying cancelled, race day on Sunday would be the first time any riders would see the track, adding an extra element of drama to the fold. As the gates dropped on moto one, both Philippaerts and Coppins were on pace quickly, asserting their Yamahas at familiar positions in the front portion of the pack. For Philippaerts, Brazil was about solidifying his hold on third place in the championship standings. He moved his way past 2009 champion Antonio Cairoli and Ken de Dycker into third, where he would finish the moto. Coppins found himself further back after the holeshot, but utilized his speed to move into fifth by motos end.

With a strong first outing, Philippaerts sat in good position to secure the final championship podium spot despite Clement Desalle, who sat fourth in points, winning the opening moto. As the final moto of the season began, Philippaerts found himself in chase of Desalle, but just needed to keep the Belgian in his sights in order to claim third. Unfortunately, the reigning champion made a mistake and found himself on the ground but was able to remount and salvage seventh. In the big picture, Philippaerts lost third in the standings, dropping to fourth as Desalle went on to finish second in the moto and capture his second overall victory of the season.

Coppins worked to overcome his teammate's misfortune and end the day on a strong note for the Monster Yamaha team. He closed in on the leaders and grabbed third in the moto to move him into fourth overall and leave him sixth in the standings. Philippaerts concluded the day in sixth.

While the Monster Yamaha team came up short of their goals for the 2009 season, their international pairing put forth a strong effort. Philippaerts' lone victory of the season came at round seven in Great Britain, where he also claimed his only moto win of 2009. He posted five podiums while leading 30 laps and garnering one pole position throughout the 15-race season. Coppins grabbed his only win early in the season, relying on consistency to take the round two victory in Bulgaria despite not winning a single moto.

Parts Unlimited's presence was felt at the World Championships as well in 2009. With the newest edition of Parts Europe, the commitment to motorsports that has made the company so successful and given it one of the most dedicated business philosophies the sport has ever seen was evident throughout all 15 rounds. Much like its high-standing position as a premier sponsor at the nationals in America, Parts Europe is leaving its mark on the GPs with the same level of support both on and off the track and it has already become a premier distributor and race sponsor throughout Europe.

-credit: t/pu