Misano 2011

Photos from Motoblog.it

Valentino's Misano 2011 Helmet

The "WTF" paint job VR46 was wearing at Misano.

Vale podiums at French MotoGP

Valentino takes his Ducati on the podium for the first time this season, with a 3rd at the French MotoGP in Le Mans, strengthening his 5th in the points standing, just 3 behind Dovi.

Vale's Dainese teammates finished 5th (Simoncelli after a drive-through) and 7th (Nicky Hayden).

Valentino rides the Ducati 1198 at the new Silverstone!

MotoGP 2011 - Round 2 at Jerez De La Frontera

Marco raced to the top, passing Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Stoner on the way, lad the race for a while and sadly highsided and crased out.

Despite crashing into Stoner when loosing the front end in a corner, VR46 came back to 5th overall.

The best MotoGP Dainese rider this weekend was Nicky Hayden, the 69 taking his Ducati to a 3rd podium spot finish. Congrats to the Kentucky Kid!

Photos by MotoGP photograph extraordinaire, Andrew Wheeler.

Dainese 2011 Riders line-up

DAINESE INVESTS IN 2011 RACING TALENT

The 2011 race season is fast approaching with the World Superbike Championship kicking off in Australia this weekend. Italian leathers giant Dainese is investing in a whole host of talent in 2011.

Dainese will continue its support of reining World Superbike champion Max Biaggi as he fights to keep his title-crown firmly in place. Other riders under the Dainese banner in SBK include Joan Lascorz, Mark Aitchinson, Maxime Berger, Tom Sykes and popular Brit Leon Haslam, who makes a return to Dainese for the forthcoming season.

Nine-time MotoGP world champion and Dainese ambassador Valentino Rossi will be wearing red leathers this year following his move to Ducati. Rossi’s new team mate and former world champion Nicky Hayden will also be Dainese-backed for the first time in his career. Rossi and Hayden will be joined on the grid by fellow Dainese-protected Marco Simoncelli.

In Moto2 Dainese is supporting six riders in total including Pol Espargaró, who has moved up from 125cc after finishing third in 2010. Other riders in Moto2 include Simone Corsi, Mattia Pasini, Ratthapark Wilairot and Stefan Bradl. In the 125cc class Dainese will support Luis Salom, Sergio Gadea, Alessandro Tonucci, Luigi Morciano and Niklas Ayo. The MotoGP championship kicks off at the Losail Circuit in Qatar on 20 March.

The Italian company has continued its investment in lovable rogue Guy Martin for his 2011 assault on the roads and British Superstock Championship. His Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing team mate and British Superbike contender Josh Brookes has also been snapped up by Dainese. Brookes heads to Spain for the opening test of the year at Cartagena from 3-6 March ahead of the first race on 25 April at Brands Hatch.

Selected riders will be continuing to help develop and test D-Air Racing – Dainese’s revolutionary airbag system. The invaluable feedback from the supported riders is vital for the development of the system, which is due to launch in the UK in late Spring. D-Air Racing is a world first in airbag technology as unlike many of its rivals is not connected to the motorcycle. The device works on clever telemetry that reads track conditions and recognizes when a bike starts to slide. The airbag is deployed within 45 milliseconds and takes 10 seconds to deflate, so the rider can remount and continue to race. For more information visit: www.dainese.com

Supported riders wearing D-Air Racing include:

MotoGP:
Valentino Rossi | Nicky Hayden | Marco Simoncelli

Moto2:
Pol Espargaró | Stefan Bradl | Mattia Pasini | Simone Corsi

WSBK:
Max Biaggi | Leon Haslam

Leon Haslam, World Superbike Championship
"I'm very happy to be rejoining Dainese. Having visited the Dainese headquarters it's clear that the heritage of motorcycle racing and safety protection is synonymous with the Dainese name. I'm also very much looking forward to having the D-Air technology - I just hope I don't need it!"

Nicky Hayden, MotoGP
“I know Dainese has a long history, you know a couple fast guys have worn Dainese in their life. I’ve tried the leathers, I’ve been to the factory, seen all the technology before I made the decision to go that way. I’ve seen the products, seen the science that goes into it, and I’m on board.”


AGV is investing alongside Dainese to provide head-to-toe protection for selected riders. Under the banner of Italian Legendary Protection both iconic brands join to create 'ILP' and provide the ultimate in head-to-toe protection. The two brands are also supporting a host of riders in off-road championships and riders throughout Europe in their selected championships.

Video: Valentino continues his recovery and tests the Zaeta Dirt Tracker

Vale continues his return to full form and tests the Italian-made dirt track project Zaeta Ouroboros. A project his dad has been involved with from the beginning. The Doctor got some sliding skill.

Introducing Dainese riders' Ducati GP11

Fun in the snow with the new GP11

Photos of Valentino and Nicky in their 2011 Ducati Dainese colors

There is a lot of pride in having two of the greatest personalities of this sport representing the house of Molvena!

Happy 2011!!

Valentino on the Ducati

... Diavel :-)

2011 Ducati (Dainese) Team first look

Happy New Year 2011 - Dainese rumors

Happy New Year to all AGV and Dainese fans around the world! Wishing a great 2011 season to all our riders!

As we were all finalizing our plans for the NYE celebrations, a shocking rumor was hitting the moto media press rooms: 2010 MotoGP World Champ Jorge Lorenzo would be switching leathers, moving from Dainese to its Italian competitor, Alpinestars.

Of course, media all had different theories, more rumors than Prince Harry's wedding would generate and all had the info on the reason why. Very funny to read I have to say. I will be able to write more on this very soon but let's just say that Lorenzo did not leave Dainese, but rather, Dainese was not willing to do what was needed to sign Lorenzo for 2011 and was focused on bringing someone else to the team, someone that would do more than just win a championship for Dainese. Relationship between sponsors and riders are not always only about wins and salaries, it's meant to be a relationship, a partnership, a friendship; it is a win-win for both, it is based not only on the amount of zero on a check but on the groove, the cool, the fun both parties can have together, about the understanding, the feeling. 

So... we have pursued a gentleman we wanted to bring to the Dainese family for a while. A gentleman racer we believe is a perfect candidate to join teammates like Valentino Rossi, Marco Simoncelli, Aksel Svindall, Guy Martin and crew.

Follow up coming soon

Backstage with Rossi, Lorenzo & Guy Martin at Dainese 2010 advertising campaign

Backstage of Dainese Motorbike ADV Campaign 2010 from dainese on Vimeo.

MotoGP Japan 2010 at Motegi

It got hot between Dainese teammates Rossi and Lorenzo.

http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/5256/unfair-valentino-rossi-gets-his-wrist-slapped-by-yamaha-bosses#continua

Lin Jarvis:
“I think that Valentino’s actions in the race today were not very correct towards Lorenzo, but I have to make some clear points. First of all, I want to say that a third and fourth place finish is good for the team, and good for Lorenzo in terms of the championship. Of course we would have preferred to win.”

Valentino Rossi cleared to ride at Sachsenring

Here’s Fiat Yamaha’s very brief press release:
“Valentino Rossi has been officially cleared to ride at this weekend’s German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, six week’s after his accident in Italy.”
“The Fiat Yamaha rider was examined by the Chief Medical Officer for this event, Dr. Huber Fischer, who found him fit enough to compete this weekend."

Dainese: Pursuing Safety Since 1972

Courtesy of UltimateMotorcycling.com


Dainese History
Let's be blunt - if nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi uses it, it must be good.
His motorcycle apparel of choice? Dainese, an Italian company that's been providing protection for riders since 1972. Their moto says it all: "Providing people with head-to-toe protection in dynamic sports."
And one of the most dynamic sports is moto-racing, especially road racing, where the famed, almost alien-like Dainese can be observed on many of the top riders who sometimes hit the pavement at speeds around 200 mph.

Protection is crucial in this sport, and riders have to put their faith in established companies, such as the well-known Dainese. And like many well-known companies, the Dainese name grew from a history of pursing only the best in safety.
During this constant pursuit, the company has invented products such as the back protector and knee sliders, and developed existing products with the introduction of innovative technologies and materials. During this development, Dainese relies heavily on competition for their R&D.
Their D-Tec (Dainese Technology Center) technicians transfer the extreme experiences gained during races into a collection offering the most suitable product for all types of motorcyclists (racing, touring, city).
Because of this type of research, it was Dainese that introduced carbon fiber and Kevlar protections for gloves, boots and suits, a design that's been copied by almost every name in the industry.

Over the years, motorcycle safety apparel has taken on many different forms, but Dainese's current idea of safety means "protection, comfort and reliability, elements which are knowledgeably balanced to create products capable of effectively meeting the needs of different users."

Dainese Historical Timeline

1972
• Dainese is founded.
• First studies for design of the Dainese logo.
• The first products are leather pants for motocross, followed almost immediately by the first suits. Innovative design and the use of color mark a true revolution from the conventional style of motorcycle clothing.

1974
• Elastic inserts are added to improve the comfort of suits.
• Dieter Braun is the first rider officially sponsored by Dainese in MotoGP.

1976
• Giacomo Agostini starts racing with Dainese.

1978
• At the end of the 70s Barry Sheene starts collaborating with Dainese, introducing a new concept of protection: the back protector and composite protections.

1980
• Riding style changes and Dainese test the first Knee Sliders, in collaboration with top riders. The first motorcycle gloves are produced.
• Kenny Roberts, the great "King Kenny" also known as "canary" for his yellow suit, wins the 500 cc World Championship three times with Dainese.

1981
• Freddie Spencer wears the back protector for the first time and suffers no serious injuries during a bad accident at the Kyalami track.
• At the same time collaboration with the many-times champion Anton Mang begins, to test the new pre-modelled suits, which conform to the correct posture of the rider in the saddle.
• In the early 80s Dainese produces the "porcupine" Knee Sliders.

1983
• Paris-Dakar: Dainese protects the riders challenging the desert in this famous rally, with its route through the rocky environment of Tamanrasset, the sands of the Ténéré desert and the beaches of Dakar.

1985
• In the mid-eighties protection takes another step forward with the introduction of the back protector: knee sliders take their definitive form.

1987
• Toni Mang wins the Word Championship title in the 250 cc class with Dainese.
• Dainese develops the first generation of back protector in collaboration with designer Marc Sadler.
• Dainese produces its first motorcycle boots.

1988
• The aerodynamic protective hump is introduced in pro racers' suits.

1989
• Eddie Lawson wins the World Championship title in the 500 cc class with Dainese.

1992
• Philippe Perakis, one of the pioneers of downhill mountain biking, introduces Dainese motorcycle protections to the biking world.

1993
• Dainese Safety Program (later renamed D-Tec) is inaugurated: in this R&D technology center engineers, technicians and physicians work together with the aim of developing increasingly high performance gear and equip it with technology, studying not only materials like leather, but also extending the range of action to other products such as helmets, gloves and boots.
• Kevin Schwantz wins the world championship title in the 500 cc class with Dainese.
• In the 90s Velcro is introduced to fasten knee sliders to the suit.

1994
• Carl Fogarty wins 4 superbike world championships with Dainese.
• Dainese produces its first motorcycle helmet.
• Kristian Ghedina, Debora Compagnoni and the "Blue Avalanche" (Italian National Alpine Skiing Team) use Dainese back protectors for the first time during a World Championship competition. From now on all athletes in this sector will use the important back protector.

1995
• Dainese starts to apply know-how acquired in the motorcycle sector to protect other sports, such as mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding: the No Impact Division is created.
• Max Biaggi wins 4 world titles in the 250 cc class and tests the Dainese Full Pro glove, with carbon fibre and Kevlar protections, for the first time.
• Kevlar-carbon fibre gloves save the hands of many motorcyclists.

1998
• Boot- suit fastening system. The new boots and new Pro-tech suit have a new interior fastening system which improves protection against excessive twisting of the foot.

1999
• Dainese presents the T-Age suit, which has some revolutionary innovations to improve comfort and level of protection (V-shaped front opening system, wider elastic inserts).
• Second generation back protectors are integrated in the Safety Jacket.
• Nicolas Vouilloz becomes world downhill champion: this is the first time that Dainese colours have reached the top of the podium in the most spectacular mountain bike discipline.

2000
• In 2000 carbon and titanium protections are integrated in suits, while knee sliders are fastened to the knees by Velcro.
• The many times world champion and Olympic winner Lasse Kjus collaborates with Dainese in the development of the first ski helmets.
• Biaggi and Rossi follow in the footsteps of Lucchinelli and Agostini in 1976.
• Jacque is world champion in the 250 cc class with Dainese.
• Waldmann wins two world titles in Spain and England, wearing Dainese helmet, suit and gloves.
• Dainese unveils D-air®: this highly innovative system for the protection of motorcyclists is based on the totally new concept of air bag. The project is the outcome of long collaboration with an Israeli company specialized in the design of advanced technology systems: MERHAV APP Advanced Airbag Technology.
• The Procom system is introduced; this sophisticated instrument checks the effectiveness of new technological solutions devised to improve comfort in terms of temperature and humidity.
• Valentino Rossi, the rising star of MotoGP wears Dainese gear and uses the most innovative protective solutions for suit, gloves and special boots which limit twisting of the ankle in the event of a fall.

2001
• Dainese confirms its interest in continuing to perform research for safety in dynamic sports with D-Mobile, the object of which is to provide motorcyclists with state-of-the-art solutions for protection and comfort developed together with great champions of the various disciplines. D-Mobile is the mobile version of Dainese's R&D department, D-tec.

2002
• Initial studies are carried out for a suit with elasticated inserts that conform to the rider's movements.
• The integrated protection system is born.
• Wave, the 4th generation back protector, with integrated ventilation system is born.
• Valentino Rossi, the only rider in the world to have won titles in the 125, 250, 500 and MotoGP classes, wins the MotoGP World Championship.

2003
• Dainese continues to collaborate with athletes and members of the Italian National Skiing Team: Giorgio Rocca, Karen Putzer, Lasse Kjus, Martina Ertl.
• With Valentino Rossi, Manuel Poggiali and Daniel Pedrosa, Dainese wins the World Championships in the 125, 250 and Moto GP classes.

2004
• Dainese becomes "Safety Partner" for the Italian National Ski Team. Just as for motorcycling, the D-Mobile becomes a reference point for the safety of all athletes participating in the World Cup.
• Dainese launches the "Safety Research Project": an in-depth study of rider-vehicle dynamics with Prof. Cossalter, of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Padua. The project is divided into two steps: the first is based on computerized simulation of the major situations that can cause accidents, while the second consists of providing motorcyclists with sensors that detect the human-vehicle dynamic parameters on motorcycles. Data acquired offer a fundamental input for development of the future D-air® and of the Procom project.
• Valentino goes down in history: he leaves Honda for Yamaha and wins his sixth World Championship with Dainese.
2005
• Valentino becomes Dainese endorser for the company safety campaign.

2006
• Dainese produces the "Sparks of Passion" costumes for the opening ceremony of the 20th Winter Olympics in Turin; these express all the style, energy and passion for speed of the sporting spirit.
• Giorgio Rocca, wins the slalom in the 2006 World Cup with Dainese, and totals 5 victories in the 2006 season, placing Italy first in the World slalom classifications.
• 19/12/2006: during the stunt test organized on the Adria circuit, the D-air® racing airbag is activated on the track for the first time.

2007
• The "I Dainese Me" campaign is launched with Valentino Rossi and Carolina Kostner to present Dainese's brand values to the general public.

2008
• Valentino Rossi achieved another landmark in motor cycling history when he notched up his eighth world title with Yamaha's M1. At the same time, he continued to be actively involved in the development of Dainese's new protective gear.
• Dainese became Official Safety Partner of the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, where it first collected data for the D-Air system with Guy Martin.

2009
• Bouncing back from his nasty crash at Beaver Creek, Aksel Lund Svindal won the Overall World Cup and Super-G, going on to become Super-Combined World Champion at the Val d'Isère Championships.
• The Slalom World Cup went to Maria Reisch who also won the World Championship in the same discipline at Val d'Isère.
Dainese Current Riders

Moto GP
• Jorge Lorenzo
• Marco Simoncelli
• Valentino Rossi
Moto 2
• Stefan Bradl
• Yannick Guerra
• Simone Giorgi Grotzkyj
• Fonsi Nieto
125 cc
• Marcel Schroetter
• Luca Vitali
• Lorenzo Salvadori
National Championships
• Europe: Danilo Dell'Omo, Marco Borciani (Italy); Maxime Berger (France); Guy Martin (UK); Michael Ranseder (Austria); Joan Lascorz (Spain); Niklas Ajo (Finland)
• USA: Geoff May, Aaron Yates, Blake Young, Steve Rapp, Chris Ulrich, Martin Cardenas, James Rispoli, Tray Batey, John Jacobi, Steve Atlas, Mark Junge, Sammy Halbert

Team Dainese 2010 riders

On the eve of the first MotoGP of the 2010 season, here's a quick recap of who are the Dainese racers:

Moto GP
Jorge Lorenzo
Marco Simoncelli
Valentino Rossi

Moto 2

Stefan Bradl
Yannick Guerra
Simone Giorgi Grotzkyj
Fonsi Nieto

125 cc
Marcel Schroetter
Luca Vitali
Lorenzo Salvadori

National Championships

Europe: Danilo Dell’Omo, Marco Borciani (Italy); Maxime Berger (France); Guy Martin (UK); Michael Ranseder (Austria); Joan Lascorz (Spain); Niklas Ajo (Finland)
USA: Geoff May, Aaron Yates, Blake Young, Steve Rapp, Chris Ulrich, Martin Cardenas, James Rispoli, Tray Batey, John Jacobi, Steve Atlas, Mark Junge, Sammy Halbert

MotoGP Sepang Tests - Rossiiiiiiiii!!

Valentino top the charts today at the Sepang MotoGP tests.

Valentino Rossi
Position: 1st Time: 2'01.411 Laps: 54

"Today was very important because this year we have just six days of testing in which to set the bike, so we can not waste any time. This first day was very positive, we tried the new bike for 2010, with a different chassis and a new engine, which can do more kilometres, and it is quite fast. Yamaha has worked very well over the winter. Now we need to spend time on setting some electronics and other things. This is only the start but it seems we're already in good shape."

Test Times

1. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Fiat Yamaha Team 2'01.411

2. Casey Stoner (AUS) Ducati Marlboro Team 2'01.902

3. Colin Edwards (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2'01.932

4. Loris Capirossi (ITA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2'02.102

5. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Fiat Yamaha Team 2'02.165

6. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Repsol Honda Team 2'02.630

7. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Marlboro Team 2'02.792

8. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2'02.866

9. Mika Kallio (FIN) Pramac Green Team 2'02.987

10. Hector Barbera (SPA) Aspar Team 2'03.030

11. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Pramac Green Team 2'03.133

12. Ben Spies (USA) Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2'03.142

13. Randy de Puniet (FRA) LCR Honda MotoGP 2'03.456

14. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Rizla Suzuki MotoGP 2'03.558

15. Marco Simoncelli (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2'03.609

16. Marco Melandri (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 2'03.609

17. Hiroshi Aoyama (JAP) Interwetten-Honda MotoGP 2'03.651 

VR46 Web-interview by FIAT

If you’re a Valentino Rossi fan, you’ve probably seen this video interview of Rossi by Tiziana Di Gioia, Sponsoring Manager of Fiat and Yamaha on the Fiat on the web because it’s in Italian, but twowheelsblog came to the rescue with the translation, so you don’t miss out on anything regarding our AGV Dainese top rider.

TDG: Name?
VR: We’re starting with the basic questions?
TDG: Yes
VR: Valentino
TDG: Surname?
VR: Rossi
TDG: Profession?
VR: Motorcycle racer
TDG: Vale, a quick question now that the season is over …
VR: Do I look at you or at him?
TDG: Look at me … what are you going to do now, relax, rest, what are your hobbies? I know you like snowboarding …
VR: Look, my first hobby are the races, so in November I’m going to do a few races, but not with the Yamaha GP, but with motocross bike and rally cars and have some fun and in December I’m going on vacation and I really like snowboarding and with some friends we’re going skiing this winter.

read the rest here: http://www.twowheelsblog.com/post/3516/video-interview-with-valentino-rossi-by#continua

What our World Champs do on weekend

They go race MOTOCROSS!! :)

Rossi organized a fundraiser race for kids leukemia at Cavallara, with a few road racing guys, including Dovi, Simoncelli and Mr. Schwantz himself. 10,000 fans turned up.

Honda Repsol's Andrea Dovizioso won the overall.


From Twowheelsblog.com:


Over 10,000 people turned out to see Valentino Rossi’s event Motocross dei Campioni, 30 anni più tardi (Motocross of the Champions, thirty years later). The fund raiser was organized to help kids suffering from leukemia at the Pesaro Hospital and the public was treated to an exciting day, that saw Andrea Dovizioso take the most points and win the race.
The first heat was won by Spanish rider and this year’s 125cc Champion Julian Simon, followed by Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Melandri, while Rossi was sixth after falling in the third lap but was able to finish.
The second heat finished in the same manner with Rossi taking fourth. Julian Simon could not take part in the third as he had a plane to catch, so the podium saw Dovizioso, Rossi and Melandri, with Dovizioso winning the event with the most points.
“It was a great race,” said a satisfied Rossi at the end of the show: “we had over 10,000 paying spectators and this was our goal, to help the AIL ( Italian Leukemia Association) and the children.”.