Vuillemin had another strong performance in the 2002 250cc Supercross championship, winning the opening round and then winning two more rounds including an impressive victory when he caught and passed Travis Pastrana and Carmichael late in the race. He earned another 10 additional podium finishes and led Carmichael for half the season until the Daytona round when, he was injured in a practice crash that would prevent him from racing and allowed Carmichael took take over the championship points lead. He finished the supercross season ranked second behind Carmichael. His performance earned him the "Comeback Rider of the Year Award" at the season ending AMA Awards banquet.