Valentino Rossi Autographed 2014 "Misano Mano (Misano Hands)" Corsa
The AGV Corsa Misano 2014 helmet was worn by Rossi during the race that he eventually brought him a Grand Prix win after 1.5 years of second and third places. During FP3 of the TIM Italy San Marino and Riviera di Rimini Grand Prix, Valentino Rossi wore a special helmet with highly colored personalized graphics as he always does for his home race.
Just a few miles from Tavullia, the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli has a special place in Valentino’s heart both for the reception he gets from his fans plus the fact that he knows every bump and bend on the track where he first started racing.
Valentino has always had a very strong connection with his home and so decided to include some distinctive images of his affection in the graphics on his helmet.
On the chin guard of his carbon fibre PistaGP are the words taken from a famous Italian advertising jingle that went on to become a motto: “Misano, ci dà una mano”.
Misano gives us a hand’ The yellow number 46 and AGV logo sit above the nape of the neck. These two symbols have accompanied Valentino throughout his incredible career. The number 58 is a posthumous dedication to his great friend Marco Simoncelli.
The sky blue background enhances the other brilliant, fluorescent colors. The colors are exhilarating on this helmet and almost resemble a children’s game. This only goes to show that despite now being 35, the “Dottore” can still play.
The hand prints on the helmet belong to the skilful hands of the Team Movistar Yamaha MotoGP mechanics who are, as ever, ready to help Vale in his home race with their experience and expertise. The “usual suspects” are still there: the paw prints of Valentino’s dogs, Cesare and Cecilia and those of his cat Rossano.
There are also lipstick kisses from the women in his life - his Mom Stefania and his girlfriend Linda.
The fingerprint on the helmet is of his friend and designer Aldo Drudi, who is his constant companion in these creative adventures.
The spur the helmet gives — Following his podium finish at Misano, Valentino said: “Different hands touch my bike every day, hands that work with me, the hands of engineers or of Galbusera; but there are also other hands like those of my mother and my girlfriend, and these spur me on just as much”. A home Grand Prix is always important for a rider where he has the opportunity to do shine in front of his own
fans and this “helping hand” can often make a huge difference. In this race, he got that hand and there was no doubt about it.
This helmet is from my personal collection. I got the signature during the COTA GP last weekend.
This helmet has TWO SIGNATURES!!! That is right, Rossi signed this helmet twice. The first signature I got Friday morning after Free Practice 1. Rossi had one of his body guards between he and I. Rossi grabbed a marker from someone next to me and signed their hat. I tried to hand him a paint pen, but he used the same marker to sign the helmet. He signed the left chin area over one of the lip kisses. It was raining all morning so the marker he used was not great. I tried to get a better signature, but the body guard said no because it was already signed. However, I persisted and kept the helmet with me. On Saturday afternoon, after qualifying, Rossi snuck into the team hospitality tent to do some television and radio interviews. After waiting about two hours, he finally emerged and signed a few items. Again, he grabbed a marker instead of my paint pen, but this time the weather was dry and he signed his name in bigger fashion over the top. So, this helmet has two autographs.
The signatures were done with a black permanent marker. I always try to use paint pens when getting autographs and try for one to be used that matches the helmet. It does not always happen with Rossi because he normally signs with whatever is in his hand as was the case with this helmet. It took a lot of patience and persistence to get this signed and if you know anything about Rossi giving autographs during MotoGP weekends, you know he is the toughest to get. He only signs after a practice/qualifying and can rarely, if ever, be found walking around the paddock. I have stalked the paddocks at three different GP's and have never seen him wandering around-he is just too popular for that. When he does sign, it is only for a short 1-2 minutes and nothing more. If you have questions or concerns about the authenticity of this signature, I can show you several signed items, lots of pictures from COTA and can include witness statements from two friends whom were with me.
I have a 16 helmet collection consisting of mostly Rossi and Hayden helmets. I also have a huge Rossi collection of items I have had signed over the years. I never planned to sell (my son is named Valentino!), but I must thin the selection of helmets and am collecting more of the ones he wore with Ducati. I am posting a few different helmets for sale. Once I sell a certain number, I will cancel the auctions for remaining helmets. I am basically posting several and seeing which sell first. This is one of two with the "Monster" "M" logo. Please check my other auctions for more helmets.
This helmet is absolutely brand new and will come with the original box (box has small bends, etc from shipping) and paperwork. I was on the waiting list for this helmet and ordered it from overseas. Be mindful that this helmet does not come with the DOT decal on the back. I order most of my Rossi helmets from Italy or Europe because the DOT decal detracts from the graphics. This helmet is ML (Medium Large). I wear a medium in GP-Tech's and this ML fits fine. With Corsa's, AGV is now giving two options within the medium size spectrum and you can get MS or ML.
Another note on this helmet is that it is one of two initial helmets and the first ever released with sponsor logos on them. The Monster "M" you see if part of the actual design and not a decal. If you know anything about Rossi helmets, you will know that logos are never on his helmet-UNTIL NOW.
About the Corsa:
• Shell: SSL (Super Super Light) in fibreglass, aramid and Carbon fibre
• N° of shells: 4 shell sizes
• Fabric: Breathable Lycra® and Shalimar with sanitising treatment
• Liners: fully removable and washable
• Ventilation system IVS (Integrated Ventilation System) ventilation with large air ducts on the shell
• Air vents with open/close mechanism.
• Visor mechanism XQRS (Extra Quick Release System) in metal with swivel opening. Microlock front locking and visor microopening system. Quick release system for tool-free removal and replacement of the visor in seconds.
• Visor: Flat RACE, Class 1 optical standard, non-scratch, antifog visor (4 layers) with wide field of vision and tear-off strips
• Double D retention system
• Removable nose guard
• Removable windproof chin strap protection
• Sizes: XS - S - MS - ML - L - XL - XXL
• ECE Certified