The French veteran, who steered adapted YZ450F machinery within his own team structure for ‰Û÷07, led the big-bore category by 28 points going to the fast venue close to Bologna. The 35 year old had won the previous four consecutive motos in Denmark and Switzerland and been victorious overall in four of the thirteen rounds before heading to Italy.
In Faenza the former 250cc GP winner rode to steady third and second positions for the second step of the podium behind Yamaha‰Ûªs Manuel Monni. The Italian owned both races after completing his MX2 world championship in Holland last week. Demaria confirmed the crown by 37 points over Sven Breugelmans. From the MX3 2007 campaign he missed the podium only three times from fourteen meetings and finished outside of the top three only nine occasions from a total of twenty-eight motos.
With De Carli Yamaha‰Ûªs Tony Cairoli ruling the MX2 World Championship on the YZ250F, bringing Yamaha the manufacturer‰Ûªs and rider‰Ûªs title for the second time in three seasons, Demaria‰Ûªs achievement proved the potency of the YZ450F.
The company were unfortunate not to take honours in all three competitions. Yamaha Motocross Team‰Ûªs Josh Coppins was clearly the dominant rider in the premier MX1 world championship with five victories and nine heat wins (more than any other participant). The 30 year old New Zealander had a lead of 107 points with four rounds remaining but an injured shoulder dashed his dreams and Yamaha‰Ûªs hopes retaining their undisputed crowns since 2004. From fifteen rounds the YZ450F toasted six triumphs thanks to Coppins‰Ûª efforts and Cairoli‰Ûªs sensational debut result on the 2008 stock YZ at Donington Park. Eleven motos (from 30) were won with Coppins, Cairoli and Marc de Reuver contributing while the trio accumulated eleven podium results.
Yamaha Motocross Team will have Coppins and new recruit David Philippaerts filling the Rinaldi ranks for 2008 while Cairoli aims to win his third championship from the excellent base established in the Italian De Carli set-up.
Race 1 results
1. Manuel Monni 34:43:304
2. Jan Zaremba 00:01:009
3. Yves Demaria 00:05:241
4. Sven Breugelmans 00:12:356
5. Alvaro Lozano 00:12:949
Race 2 results
1. Manuel Monni 34:40:588
2. Yves Demaria 00:24:972
3. Jan Zaremba 00:38:641
4. Jussi Vehvilainen 00:40:390
5. Andrea Bartolini 00:41:824
Overall results
1. Manuel Monni 25-25
2. Yves Demaria 20-22
3. Jan Zaremba 22-20
4. Jussi Vehvilainen 15-18
5. Sven Breugelmans 18-15
