Monster Energy Yamahas Gautier Paulin stepped up to the premier MX1-GP class in fine style by taking the powerful and agile factory YZ450FM to victory at a sizzling Fermo and the Grand Prix of Italy. The final round of fifteen in the FIM Motocross World Championship was played out in front of 18,000 spectators and across the steep and hard-pack track on the Adriatic coast, south of Ancona.
Paulin, riding the works machine of Steven Frossard after the Frenchman was forced to miss the meeting due to a chest infection, made his debut in the category and assisted Frossards confirmation of the runner-up spot in the MX1-GP standings; a fantastic achievement for number 183 in his rookie season.
At Fermo, Paulin gelled immediately with the works machine and confidently notched pole position on Saturday to grab the inside gate. Two decent starts helped towards his race performances and the first moto was outstanding as the 21 year old edged a four second lead by the second lap and controlled the full distance. In the second affair he enjoyed a close battle with Christophe Pourcel and set the fastest circulation of the race on lap ten as he pushed into the lead. With a guaranteed overall win in his sights and across an increasingly rough track Paulin elected not to take too many risks and made sure of the spoils with an assured runner-up place behind Pourcel.
Gautier Paulin, 1st:
For sure I am really happy and I didnt really know what I could expect for my first MX1 GP. In the first race I made the holeshot and was on my own so I sent my rhythm and just rode out the moto. In the second it was really good fun to race with Christophe and we passed each other but the track was getting harder and harder with more bumps; normally it is smoother for the MX2 motos. It was my first race on the 450 and I knew I was winning the grand prix so I did not want to go crazy. I was riding safe. With Monster Energy Yamaha we did something special today.
