Is This the Coolest Valentino Rossi Helmet Design Yet?

Shortly after Marc Marquez won his sixth world title in Valencia, Spain, MotoGP teams began testing for the 2018 season.

Movistar Yamaha is at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia this week, and Valentino Rossi has a brand-new “winter” graphic for his AGV Pista GP R. Based on traditional Huichol art from Mexico, the colorful motif is an extension of the same curious character many fans around the world have come to know and love.

“Huichol art immediately intrigued me because it uses many of my symbols, like the sun and moon or the turtle,” Rossi explained. “We have tried to recreate the effect of the beads that the Mexicans use to bring color and shape to these objects. Aldo Drudi did a great job, as did Davide [Degli Innocenti, graphics and coloring manager at Drudi Performance]. He created the beads with a brush, one by one.”

Which one of Rossi’s helmet designs is your current favorite? Let us know in the comments section below and be sure to keep an eye on this site for more information about testing as the teams continue to prepare for 2018.