AGV ‘Peace’ Helmet (Barry Sheene Tribute)

[photos courtesy of motogp.com]

Location: IRTA MotoGP Test Catalunya, SPAIN

Date: 17th, March 2003

Position: 5th Fastest in test

The final test before the 2003 MotoGP season kicked off was held at the Montmelo circuit at Catalunya with a BMW up for grabs to the fastest rider. This marked the first time that all the competing teams had been together at the same time and in the same place for testing since the 2002 season concluded.

Valentino Rossi came out for testing with a bright rainbow helmet design by Aldo Drudi that contained two messages. The helmet featured all the colours of the rainbow, and had the word ‘PACE’ in large white letters on the back. ‘Pace’ is Italian for ‘Peace’, and the design was used to voice Rossi’s opposition to the invasion on Iraq, a subject that was dominating the news.

The helmet also had the ‘number 7′ on either side as a tribute to Barry Sheene who had died of cancer just before the testing session. All the teams and riders conducted a minute’s silence in memory of the former 500cc World Champion.