chele would never succeed in this class against Heinz Kinigadner, Gert Jan Van Doorn, Jacky Vimond or Eric Geboers. Winner of one 250cc GP, runner up in 1986 and twice fourth in 1985 and 1987, Michele struggled with an injured shoulder and after racing the Paris Dakar in winter time he officially retired from racing to become team manager. He had his own team with some great sponsors, and he received the official support from Suzuki. He signed American Rodney Smith in 1988 and a year later his fellow countryman Alessandro Puzar, who offered the first World Title in the 250cc class to his manager in his second year in the team (1980). Two years later Michele moved to Yamaha following the wish of his main sponsor Chesterfield, and he immediately obtained a 250cc title thanks to American Donnie Schmit, who beat his
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team mate Bobby Moore. Now, twenty-five years later Rinaldi and Yamaha are still together, with a couple of World titles under their belt with Bobby Moore (125cc in 1994), Andrea Bartolini (500cc in 1999), Stefan Everts (six consecutive titles in 500cc/Motocross GP/ MX1 from 2001 to 2006), David Philippaerts (MX1 in 2008)
and Romain Febvre (MXGP in 2015). And the story is not finished, as team Yamaha Rinaldi is still involved in the main MXGP class with Romain Febvre and Jeremy Van Horebeek. There are still some other wins and titles to come for the Italian manager! Text & Photos: Pascal Haudiquert
1978: 12th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (TGM) 1979: 8th in the 125 Motocross World Championship (TGM). 1980: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (TGM). Winner of 1 GP 1981: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Champion (Gilera). Winner of 2 GP Winner of the 125 Cup of Nations with team Italy 1982: 3rd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Gilera). Winner of 1 GP Winner of the 125 Cup of Nations with team Italy 1983: 2nd in the 125 Motocross World Championship (Suzuki). Winner of 3 GP 1984: 125 Motocross World Champion (Suzuki). Winner of 5 GP 1985: 4th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Suzuki). Winner of 1 GP 1986: 2nd in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Suzuki). 3rd at the Motocross of Nations with team Italy 1987: 4th in the 250 Motocross World Championship (Suzuki).