AGV and Valentino Rossi are pleased to reveal the Winter Test 2019 livery created for the first tests of the year, to be held on Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit. The brand-new design showcases shapes and neon colors that make the Pista GP R helmet a true work of art.
Valentino Rossi just headed down to the track for the first tests of the year with the brand-new Winter Test 2019 design, which will join the Doctor’s immense collection of AGV jewels. The Pista GP R will showcase neon colors like yellow, for which Rossi is known, as well as green, fuchsia and orange. The ever-present Sun and Moon are there as well, now stylized on the front of the shell with a thin yet visible blue line.
The Rossi/Drudi duo, who have been working together for more than twenty years, opted for a bright, eye-catching design that will grab attention on and off the track. The helmet’s design showcases large overlapping brushstrokes paired with the number 46, written in freehand script. Together, it makes for a dynamic design that stands out from the understated Sun/Moon version used during the last Championship.
Valentino himself stated that he is excited about the creation and shared the inspiration behind the special livery:
“As for every season’s tests, I made a special helmet for this year as well. It’s always a great experience to work on a special edition. We try to find new ideas every time, but it’s not always easy. For this year’s helmet, we had a hard time making up our minds, but at some point I looked at Aldo and I asked him to do something for me—to do what we used to do, pick up a paintbrush and draw the helmet freehand, like in years past. And that’s what we did! At first, Aldo was hesitant, but then he started to have a blast. When all was said and done, it came out great. Because they’re drawn by hand, each helmet is unique.”
The perfect blend of protection, performance and comfort, the Pista GP R is the result of AGV Extreme Safety: an innovative integrative design protocol that has revolutionized the planning method to combine superior impact protection, AGV’s exclusive Ultravision, which guarantees 190° of horizontal vision and 85° of vertical vision, and an advanced design with extreme performance developed in a wind tunnel to provide unparalleled aerodynamic efficiency. The AGV Extreme Safety process raises the level of technology used during helmet R&D, setting a milestone in the development of protective headgear systems.
