After spending the last several years as a privateer, David Vuillemin is on his way back to the factory semi . . . as Suzuki.
The former Factory Yamaha rider took a detour away from the factory semis for several years as a result of lackluster results. Lack of skill? That was never questioned. Vuillemin is one of the most skillful riders on the track at any given moment, and has beaten both Jeremy McGrath and Ricky Carmichael straight-up at Supercross. Not too many people can say that.
What was questioned was Vuillemin’s heart and work ethic. Roger DeCoster believes in David Vuillemin, and that is all that matters at this point. Vuillemin will join DeCoster at Factory Suzuki next year, as Ricky Carmichael retires and Ivan Tedesco moves on (presumably, to Team Honda).
We hope Vuillemin returns to the form he showed several years ago, particularly on a supercross track. If not for an eventful magazine photo shoot several years ago, Vuillemin might have captured the AMA Supercross title. He is that good, and we hope he has the chance to show it again.
