AGV Releases Valentino Rossi 20 Years Pista GP-R
What’s old is new again, but with more carbon fiber.
Begin Press Release:
VALENTINO ROSSI 20 YEARS PISTA GP R
20 years of success
SINCE 1997 TILL TODAY: 20 YEARS OF SUCCESS CELEBRATED THROUGH AN ICONIC GRAPHIC!
DEBUT ON THE WORLD STAGE
Valentino Rossi made his debut in GP racing at the 1996 Malaysian GP in the now-suppressed 125cc class, claiming a solid 6th place in his very first race at the Sepang Circuit. Son of Graziano, a former motorcycle GP racer himself, Valentino came to the world stage as the reigning 125cc Italian Champion and with an AGV X-Vent helmet whose graphics – designed together with Aldo Drudi – were going to become legendary.
THE “SOLELUNA” RISES
The AGV X-Vent was the helmet that immediatly established the famous “Soleluna” (“Sun-and-Moon”) motif, a feature that was bound to become a staple of Rossi’s helmets throughout his whole career. It had a big red sun on yellow background on the right side and a yellow crescent moon on a starry black background on the left side, both of which with captivating cartoon faces.
The young Rossi chose this split design to reflect the two different sides of his personality, but there are other nice touches which made it simply unique such as his trademark number 46 placed in the middle, right above the visor, a cartoon condom on the top and the words “Go Rossifumi!” in Japanese, “Rossifumi” being one of his early nicknames inspired by childhood hero Norifumi Abe.
FIRST POLE AND WIN AT BRNO
Valentino Rossi’s maiden season in the 125cc class with the Aprilia RS125R was daunted by some crashes, but the raw talent of the Italian rising star shone through nonetheless.
Two weeks after clinching his first podium finish ever in GP Racing at the A1 ring, Austria, Rossi went to Brno to claim his first 125cc pole position and the following day, on August 18th, he bagged the very first victory of his career. The first of many more that would follow…
WORLD CHAMPION FOR THE FIRST TIME
In 1996 Rossi was one of the most promising rookies of the 125cc class, collecting 2 podiums and finishing 6th overall in the standings, but 1997 turned out to be the year he really came of age in racing terms.
In 1997, with 11 victories out of 15 races – a record still unbeaten in the smaller class – another 2 podium finishes and 4 pole positions, Rossi became World Champion for the first time laying down the basis for his switch to the 250cc class of the following year.
A NEW WAY TO CELEBRATE
Valentino Rossi took the 1997 125cc title by storm, winning all but four races. In this triumphant season, the Italian ace started celebrating his victories with orchestrated antics that surely boosted his always growing popularity.
One of the most memorable ones took place in Donington Park on August 15th: taking inspiration from famous local outlaw Robin Hood, Rossi picked up `bow and arrow´ on his victory lap to celebrate his 9th win of the season together with the adoring British fans. Since then, Rossi’s wild post-race celebrations have become nothing short of legendary.
THE BIRTH OF A LEGEND
Valentino Rossi’s triumph in the 1997 125cc World Championship marked the beginning of a new era in motorcycle racing, a time which saw him become one of the greatest and most popular sportsmen in history, even outside the boundaries of motorcycling.
20 years down the road, Rossi is widely recognized as one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, with no less than 9 titles under his belt.
Now internationally known as “The Doctor”, Rossi has never worn any other helmet but AGV’s!
The replica helmet (in limited edition of 2500 pieces) will be available from February 2018 as a Pista GP R model. The limited edition will bear the same graphics as Valentino’s helmet, with the exception of other sponsors’ logos and the visor components and accessories.
The Pista GP R, an evolution of the innovative Pista GP, the MotoGP helmet, is the most protective helmet ever to be developed. Thanks to the introduction of Race 3 Max Pinlock®, a Class 1 Optic visor with 100% Max Vision Pinlock® (120), and the patented Visor Lock System (VLS) fastening, the full carbon AGV Pista GP R helmet offers an unbeatable field of vision. The new wind-tunnel-tested “Biplano” spoiler, guarantees optimum aerodynamic performance, while comfort levels benefit from a patented interior structure and an Integrated Ventilation System (IVS). The Pista GP R is the first helmet to offer a hydration system, composed of a series of ducts and a valve located on the inside of the chin piece.
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