Michele Rinaldi (born 9 March 1959 in

Parma Parma (; egl, Pärma, ) is a city in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna known for its architecture, Giuseppe Verdi, music, art, prosciutto (ham), Parmigiano-Reggiano, cheese and surrounding countryside. With a population of 198,292 ...

) is an

Italian Italian(s) may refer to: * Anything of, from, or related to the people of Italy over the centuries ** Italians, an ethnic group or simply a citizen of the Italian Republic or Italian Kingdom ** Italian language, a Romance language *** Regional Ita ...

former professional

motocross Motocross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on enclosed off-road circuits. The sport evolved from motorcycle trials competitions held in the United Kingdom. History Motocross first evolved in Britain from motorcycle trials competi ...

racer and current motorcycle race team manager. He competed in the

Motocross World Championship FIM Motocross World Championship is the premier championship of motocross racing, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), divided into two distinct classes: MXGP and MX2. Race duration is 30 minutes plus two laps per ...

s from 1976 to 1987. Rinaldi is notable for being the first Italian competitor to win an

FIM FIM may refer to: Organizations and companies * Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme, the International Motorcycling Federation * Flint Institute of Music, in Michigan, United States * Fox Interactive Media, now News Corp. Digital Media * ...

motocross world championship and, for the numerous world championships achieved as a motocross team manager.

Biography

Rinaldi began competing in the 125cc motocross world championships in

1976 Events January * January 3 – The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights enters into force. * January 5 – The Pol Pot regime proclaims a new constitution for Democratic Kampuchea. * January 11 – The 1976 Phila ...

, finishing in the top three for four consecutive years between 1980 and 1983, first for the

Gilera Gilera is an Italian motorcycle manufacturer founded in Arcore in 1909 by Giuseppe Gilera (1887–1971). In 1969, the company was purchased by Piaggio. History In 1935, Gilera acquired rights to the Rondine four-cylinder engine. It was, at ...

team, then for the

Suzuki is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...

team. In 1984, he finally captured the 125 title, becoming the first Italian to win a motocross world championship. He moved up to the 250 class with his best result being a second place in the 1986 world championship behind Jacky Vimond. He retired in 1987 after having competed in the Paris to Dakar rally. When his riding career ended he became a successful motocross team manager for the Suzuki and

Yamaha Yamaha may refer to: * Yamaha Corporation, a Japanese company with a wide range of products and services, established in 1887. The company is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor Company (below). ** Yamaha Music Foundation, an organization estab ...

factory racing teams. As a team manager, he guided

Bobby Moore Robert Frederick Chelsea Moore (12 April 1941 – 24 February 1993) was an English professional footballer. He most notably played for West Ham United, captaining the club for more than ten years, and was the captain of the England natio ...

, Alessandro Puzar, Andrea Bartolini,

Stefan Everts Stefan Everts (born 25 November 1972) is a Belgian former professional motocross racer and racing team manager. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 1988 to 2006. Everts is notable for winning a record 10 FIM motocross world cha ...

David Philippaerts David Philippaerts (born 7 December 1983 in Pietrasanta) is an Italian former professional motocross racer of Italian and Belgian descent. He competed in the Motocross World Championships from 2000 to 2014 before returning as a wild card in 2022. ...

and

Romain Febvre Romain Febvre (born 31 December 1991) is a French professional motocross racer. He has competed in the FIM Motocross World Championships since 2012. Febvre is notable for winning the 2015 MXGP World Championship. He was a member of the winning ...

to world championships.

References

External links

Rinaldi Yamaha Racing Team web site
1959 births Living people Sportspeople from Parma Italian motocross riders Motorcycle racing team owners {{Italy-motorcycle-racing-bio-stub