All eyes on Rossi

The meanings behind the eye on Rossi's AGV at Mugello

Posted: 11 July 2011
by Robin Goodwin

At the last MotoGP round at Mugello Valentino Rossi kept with the home-race tradition of changing his routine to feature a new helmet design - featuring his baby-blue eye atop of the AGV helmet.

In a design collaboration with Aldo Drudi, Rossi's pupil was incorporated into a design that featured the Italian flag, in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, together with a caricature of Valentino's dogs.

Typical with the helmets of the seven-time champion the latest design featured a message to anyone listening, much like the wooden design from 2004 in reference to his string of fourth place finishes, or the heart to signify that he still had a passion for racing in 2007. The eye, according to Rossi had a double meaning: the first was "look out because Mugello can hurt you", referring to the accident that changed his luck in the last MotoGP season, while the second meaning is "watch out because sooner or later things will turn around."

Aside from the official description from the man himself, the helmet had triple and quadruple meanings, countless understandings of a simple paintscheme. All eyes were on Vale at his home-race and although he wasn't spectacular and this season isn't going to plan it is clear that Il Doctore already has one eye on next season.

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Discuss this story

pyndman

Rossi is quite the artist in my opinion. How many more concepts can he come up with? Plenty. Thats why he's a rather good artist - a bit of andy warhole about him I think - and so good for racing. How many truely creative people have we seen in motorsports? And of course Rossi has dogs, all cool people do, you can see it in his spririt, a dog lover, and they love having fun, fact. Indeed I say watch out. I have a feeling the 2012 Ducati is going to kick but. Rossi and Jeremy know how to develop a bike. Some satellite riders are bitching at Ducati that its all about Rossi. Well, duuuh? Of course its all about Rossi.

I see Lorenzo has gone back to a more normal self. And thank goodness for that, it was all a little embarressing. The guy is not creative at all, he can ride fast, and he should just stick to that. Everything he has ever done has been a Rossi copy. His moon helmet was probably the only thing Id give a little credit, not too bad an idea. Did he come up with it? Umm? Was it that highly embarressing slip into the lake that has put him off the show biz? Or has it just been lack of wins. I hope the former.

Posted: 12/07/2011 at 12:28

Pagik

I concur with all the above. Motorcycle racing needs Valentino Rossi. Infact, I would go so far as to say motorsport in general needs Valentino Rossi. For exactly the reasons you outline above. He (and his mates) never stop entertaining with either the winning celebrations, or Vales mind games etc.

I have to say, I hope the GP12 does everything we all hope it will. I am really looking forwards to winter testing this year. Even if it is 6 months away.

Lorenzo has finally realised he's not the mega star he thinks he is. And is going back to the racing. Also, a mate of mine made a good point to me today. Lorenzo going back to the '10 chassis...is this because they have taken the '11 chassis in the wrong direction? Cynics would say that "this development game is not as easy as Vale and Burgess make it look, is it Jorge"............

;)

Posted: 12/07/2011 at 19:11

Oliver Wells

True, development probably isn't easy. Vale and Jerry are making it look very difficult this year for sure. The gp12 is basically the same bike Vale rode at assen and mugello but with a longer stroke to give the higher capacity. Considering how far he is off the pace at the moment here's hoping the extra power lets him get more heat into the front tyre.
All eyes on indeed, he'd better start getting results as the Italian press are starting to point out how much quicker Casey was on the Duc

Posted: 12/07/2011 at 20:40

pyndman

Oliver, screw the Italian Press. If there was one press that I would totally ignore it would be that one, and anything Murdoch had anything to do with the slimy piece of ex Aussie scum. I'd dare say Vale would say the same. His minds a bit stronger than that.

Posted: 13/07/2011 at 00:39

pyndman

And Pagik, yes you're right and glad you agree. Motorsport in general needs Rossi. Most folk I know hate motorsport, but they can't help but notice Rossi, because he's such a genuine character. Even my mother knows and likes him, and she lives in another universe, trust me.

Its great to see at the GP track when an interview with Rossi comes on the big screens and listen to the whole crowd crack up at his humour. That is very very rare. Most racers say, "yeah me bike go good, me team give me good bike so we'll see how we go." Snore snore snore.

Yeah i admit, Im as straight as they come, I love a nice girl arse, drives me crazy, and I stare terribly at cleavage, and thighs and legs in heels make me dribble and crash my bike from not looking at the road, but I have a bromance on with Rossi. He's one cool dude.

Anyway, Im taking a break from all this nonsense. Im starting to write too much, so I'll annoy you all later.

Posted: 13/07/2011 at 00:56

Pagik

Is the GP12 the bike Vale rode at Valencia? The swing arm is round the other way. And the fairing is different for a start. So I am not convinced Oliver. As for the Italian press. Pyndman is right. Fuck them. They are worse than ours in some respects. The amount of stirring they do, they could start a fight in an empty room.

Posted: 13/07/2011 at 08:15

Thomp

the GP12 bike was ridden at the test, isn't it a 1000? the bike at Valencia was the 11.1 whatever that means, and I agree with you Pagik that motorsport wouldn't be what it is and where it is today without Valentino

Posted: 13/07/2011 at 08:32

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