Arnaud Vincent - 2002 125 GP Champion

Birth date: 30/11/1974
Birth place: Nancy, FRA
First Grand Prix: 1996 FRA 125cc
First Pole Position 1999 MAL 125cc
First Race Fastest Lap 2000 RSA 125cc
First Podium 1998 GER 125cc
First GP Victory 1999 CAT 125cc
Grand Prix Starts 79
125cc Starts 79
Grand Prix Victories 7
125cc Victories 7
2nd Placements 5
3rd placements 4
Podium 19
Pole Positions 4
Race Fastest Lap 1
World Championship Wins 1 2002, 125cc
Total Points 726

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Born in Nancy on the 30 th November 1974, Arnaud Vincent made a relatively late start to competitive road racing as he pursued a career in motocross with his Yamaha YZ80. At 18 years of age he began to work as a mechanic in a bike shop and used his wages to cover the expense of racing in regional competitions. By the time he had reached the age of 20, Vincent began racing on asphalt and was competing to national standard within a year. In 1995 he finishes as the best rookie in the French series and is incorporated into the team run by Jean Claude Besse in the French and European Championships. He contested his first full World Championship season in 1998.

GP CAREER

1996: Second in 125cc French Championship.
1997: 125cc World Championship debut in France but fails to finish the race. 125cc French and European Champion.
1998: Rides first full season in 125cc World Championship with Aprilia. Final Championship position: 12th with 72 points.
1999: Takes first Grand Prix victory of career. Final Championship position: 7th with 155 points - 1 win: Catalunya.
2000: Stays with Aprilia and takes second career win. Final Championship position: 7th with 131 points – 1 win: Welkom.
2001: Leaves the team run by Jorge Martinez “Aspar” after two seasons to ride a Honda. Final Championship position: 10th with 94 points.
2002: Wins 125cc World Championship riding for the Imola Circuit Exalt Cycle Race team. Final Championship position: 1st with 273 points. 5 wins so far: Suzuka, Donington, Sachsenring, Estoril and Sepang.
Other facts about Vincent's career: Arnaud Vincent is the first French rider ever to win the 125cc World Championship. Vincent’s has also taken more Grand Prix wins in the 125cc class than any other French rider, with seven victories. Vincent is the fifth Aprilia rider to win the 125cc World Title, following on from Alessandro Gramigni (1992), Kazuto Sakata (1994 & 1998), Valentino Rossi (1997) and Roberto Locatelli (2000).