Revealed: Rossi's new AGV PistaGP helmet

AGV and Valentino Rossi have officially launched the all-new PistaGP race lid that he’s been wearing in pre-season tests and will use for the 2012 MotoGP season.

Although no UK price has been announced, AGV made several proud boasts of the new top-of-the-range race helmet at its launch in Jerez on Friday evening. Namely…

• The residual impact force transmitted to the head is reduced by 36% compared to the limit established by ECE regulations.
• The HIC (Head Injury Criterion) index is 48% below the limit established by ECE regulations.
•  The basic visor movement area has been reduced by 71% compared to the GP-Tech helmet. This allows use of the space saved to increase the thickness of the absorption material, benefitting safety.
• The visor is Class 1 optical standard approved.
• The field of vision is 15 degrees wider and the overall visor window area has increased by 9% compared to the previous helmet, without compromising its level of protection.
• The Z-Lift index has been reduced by 44% after wind tunnel tests.
• The air intakes have almost tripled in size, whereas the entire ventilation system of the PistaGP helmet removes heat and moisture very efficiently. The padding has a 3D concave structure, which is pre-shaped according to the morphological characteristics of the head, while the surfaces in direct contact with the head are free from stitching for guaranteed comfort.
• The fit of the PistaGP helmet, covered by three patents, provides an extraordinary high level of comfort and adaptability to different shapes, unknown up to now.

Marketing blurb aside, an MCN source confirmed the helmet feels extremely light to wear, while Rossi himself said: “It feels like I am not wearing a helmet. Its aerodynamics have increased, with excellent ventilation and exaggerated visibility, like switching from the TV to the cinema”.