AGV Austin Powers / Flower Power Helmet (Valencia 2003)

Location: Valencia, Spain

Date: 2nd November, 2003

Position: 1st

The final race of the MotoGP season in 2003 was held in Spain at Valencia, and it was also Rossi’s last ever race as a Honda rider. Rossi would move to Yamaha for the 2004 season, but that was not yet announced. Rossi dominated and won the race ahead of Sete Gibernau and Loris Capirossi, and managed to do it in a unique style with a flower power helmet and bike livery (also referred to as the ‘Austin Powers’ design). The livery was chosen after Repsol ran a competition with Spanish motorcycle magazine, Motociclismo, where readers had to create a design for the bike and rider that also included the Repsol name. Repsol Honda and Valentino Rossi chose the winner from he shortlist.

The helmet design was covered in flowers and featured a small sun and moon under the visor towards the front of the helmet. The left and right sides of the helmet had ‘Valentino’ in 1960’s style text runnig along the base, with the word ‘Rossi’ runing along the top of the helmet. The back featured the number 46. The would be the last helmet that Rossi would wear on a Honda. In line with the 1960’s / flower power theme, Rossi took to the podium wearing a huge afro wig.