After finishing with second place in the World 125cc Championship to Chiodi in 1998 and then third in the World 250cc Championship in 1999 to Frederic Bolley and Pit Beirer the likeable Frenchman moved to America to chase his dream of being an AMA Supercross Champion.

Fighting with McGrath and Carmichael for titles but always losing out didn't put Vuillemin into the record books, but it did give him the respect of his fellow riders and fans. A comeback to the FIM World Motocross Championship this year didn't go according to plan for Vuillemin.

Despite having a great time, his results were not impressive. His best result being 28pts at round six of the series at Bellpuig, Spain. Despite all the injuries to his rivals it still wasn't a great end his distinguished career.

Q: David how did you find 2009?

Vuillemin: I wanted to do better, we did the best we could, we didn't have a factory bike, it is a private team, so it's a little tough racing against all those good bikes and stuff. In the races the starts are really important, the tracks have been a little one lined, so passing can be difficult. I got the jump in Germany, but crashed in the first lap, so that made it difficult. I am having a good time; I just wish I could do a little better so I would be more satisfied at the end of the weekends. Like I said, I wish I could have enjoyed the tracks more.

Q: In Germany you got into a nice little fight with Mickael Pichon. That must have been fun?

Vuillemin: It wasn't a fight; we were racing for 8th and 9th, so that wasn't so good. When he saw I was behind him he started going faster, and faster, I passed him, he passed me back, then I passed him again, it was fun, but we were racing for 8th, so not third or first, but it was a good time. Our time has passed and we have to deal with it at one point.

Q: Do you ever feel like you don't really belong here anymore, like you are out of place?

Vuillemin: Sometimes I do, it just felt like if everything is going well, and I felt good on the bike, then it's fun, but if the bike isn't working the way I want, or I don't feel good, then it's easier to slow down now. Back in the days I was in the USA and winning Supercross races, if I had a bad day I would finish third, now if I have a bad day I am 13th, and if I have a good day I am sixth or seventh, so times have changed. I notice more now if I am struggling.

Q: Do you miss being in America? It's where you spent most of your adult life and you have an American family.

Vuillemin: Being back in the US would be good, I want to run a team, but with the current climate with the economy it's tough in America. I miss America. Where I grew up in France is a nice area, but I spend 10 years in America and I grew into a man there and it is sad to say, but I think like an American now. When I came back here everything was so difficult, so different. I love both countries and it depends on opportunities, running a team in Europe would also be good.

Q: You had a long and successful career, you don't need to work I wouldn't think?

Vuillemin: I don't need to work, but I like the sport and I love to come and help people, or help a team, and show my experience. I have a ton of experience, I think there is more to do in the team aspect, there seems to be trainers everywhere, the training part isn't difficult. I have a lot of experience with testing bikes and that is where I think I could help a team, rather than training somebody. There are trainers everywhere.