This episode with Andrea Dovizioso seems to demonstrate that between the Japanese helmet brand Shoei and its leading pilots, the relationship is becoming more opaque. From Italy came this revelation that the helmet worn by Marc Marquez, during his motocross accident which led to diplopia, could never be assessed at the equipment manufacturer's factory, since it is not there. never happened. Here is now the case of Andrea Dovizioso who, during the presentation of his WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP team, showed up with a helmet not displaying the Japanese logo. And here’s why…
Informed observers have noted this: when the three-time vice-world champion Andrea Dovizioso presented himself in his new colors with a helmet with revised decoration, the latter bore no mark. However, he should have displayed the sign Shoei. Sure Todocircuito we learn that Simon Patteron, journalist from The-Race.com, consulted Alpinestars, the brand that sponsors all the equipment ofAndrea Dovizioso. An approach that solved the mystery: Alpinestars is currently developing its first full-face helmet, and Andrea Dovizioso was the pilot chosen to lead this new safety element and contribute, with his experience, to the development of what will be the first helmet manufactured by the Italian brand focused on the world of asphalt racing.
« Alpinestars helmet development department has been focusing on improving safety for many years“, says a company insider. “ One of its latest results was the work carried out on the S-M10 motocross helmet , which is now safety equipment used in the United States and the Motocross World Championship. At the same time, progress has been made on other concepts and projects, and wearing a helmet in MotoGP is one of them. Andrea Dovizioso is part of this project. The headset will not be used in public until 2023"
Alpinestars for some time has been offering its own motocross helmet to users in the off-road world, the S-M10 model, which uses a carbon fiber shell in its manufacturing in addition to MIPS E-2 (Multi-Directional Impact) technology. Protection System) which reduces the rotational energy transmitted to the head in the event of an angular impact.
Andrea Dovizioso rides for Alpinestars like Marc Marquez
In fact, since Dovizioso stopped working with Suomy at the end of 2020, the Italian turned to the Alpinestars S-M10 for head protection during his brief but intense foray into the world of motocross. When he joined MotoGP midway through the season, first with Aprilia as a tester then with Petronas Yamaha full-time, 'Dovi' chose SHOEI to protect his head in MotoGP, a helmet he will continue to wear this year but without showing the logo.
Alpinestars plans to launch its first MotoGP approved helmet in 2023, although it is possible that Dovizioso begins using it this year if the Italian brand manages to pass the approval tests required by the FIM for helmet manufacturers who wish to offer their models to riders in the motorcycle world championship.
By the way, Alpinestars is also the equipment manufacturer of Marc Marquez. As this brand's helmet is available for motocross, some are already arguing that he was not wearing a Shoei during his training which went wrong. A speculation which remains free for the moment.
