Philippe Vidal

Team Trainer

The 46-year-old French born, Philippe Vidal has been the Trainer for the Red Bull Yamaha Team for 5 years. Coming from a family of 3 boys, Philippe's father recognised early that he "liked to fight" and he was encouraged at 8 years old to try wrestling.

Philippe was a natural at this sport and by the time he was 21 he was in the French National Team. Philippe excelled and by the time he was 25 he was competing in the World Championship. Born and breed in central France in Clermont - Ferrand, his achievements include:

    European Champion in 1981 and 1984
    3 Times French Champion in 1977, 1981, 1984
    and 30 times in the French National Team


Once his competitive days were over, Philippe moved into the coaching arena and coached wrestling for 3-4 years at the National Institute. He had the honour of coaching the French Olympic Wrestling Team for the 1988 Olympics at Seoul, Korea.

Now a decade later he enjoys seeing his nephew Vincent Vidal, compete in the French National Championship as well as in the prestigious World Championship.

Early in '92, Philippe was introduced to Yamaha Motor France and worked initially with Niall Mackenzie who joined what is now the Red Bull Yamaha Team. Philippe was asked to train Neil so he could achieve his maximum physical performance on the bike. Through the association with the Moto GP, he has trained some of the finest and fastest racers in the world and says that "he gets much pleasure in sport in helping people improve" Philippe analysis the riders flexibility, physical strength, endurance, aerobic capacity, diet and balance and develops a extensive strategy for the athletes development.

Philippe knows the importance of a mentally strong athlete and how much determination and commitment is required to be the world best.

"Firstly, the rider must be physically strong to control the bike but equally they must have courage. I like for my rider to enjoy their training and I incorporate many varied fun kinds of sports into their program. Sports, which stimulate the mind, like mountain climbing where its man against mountain and other activities like trampolining to refine balance skills.

"I also incorporate boxing into my training and the riders go in the ring with prized fighters. It is important for them to learn to fight and I incorporate sports, which tests the riders courage; so anything that they encounter on the track is not so surprising. Physical fitness is vital to being a great racer but above all the rider must possess a mental approach to the sport that is solid, focused and unrelenting. This sport is 80% mental strength and 20% physical strength and through the partnership I form with my riders we develop both aspects in unison."