AGV presents the Pista GP R3. The new MotoGP riders’ helmet. A revolution in safety.
AGV once again takes rider performance and protection to the next level.
Introducing the Pista GP R3 [R CUBE], the latest evolution of the iconic racing helmet. Superior in every way, it revolutionises protection against oblique impacts thanks to the introduction of the AGV Sphera system with RLS technology, which makes the risk of concussion six times less likely.
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It will be worn by AGV riders in MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 races, starting with the 2026 San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix event.
Misano Adriatico, September 11, 2026 – Since the practice sessions at the Misano Grand Prix on Friday, the AGV MotoGP, Moto2, and Moto3 riders have been wearing the new Pista GP R3 helmet [Pista GP R CUBE], the latest incarnation of the iconic racing helmet that has led the way in track helmet innovation since its introduction in 2011.
Featuring a shell made entirely of carbon fibre, the Pista GP R3 refines every detail of AGV’s iconic racing helmet, taking the Pista GP platform to a new level of performance. The introduction of new technologies that raise safety and performance standards even higher, along with over 100 new moulds for new and redesigned components, pushes the sheer excellence of every aspect of this helmet to new extremes — from rider protection to aerodynamic performance, comfort, and channelled ventilation — all while preserving the design language and shape of the most iconic helmet in the world of racing.
Designed in accordance with the requirements of the new FIM FRHPhe-02 standard, the International Motorcycling Federation’s most recent protocol for racing helmets, the Pista GP R3 takes a new approach to managing oblique impacts, one of the areas on which the FIM regulations have focused most heavily.
This is where the main innovation of the Pista GP R3 comes into play: AGV Sphera – Powered by RLS (Release Layer System), developed to reduce the effects of oblique impacts, which cause rotational acceleration of the brain: one of the leading causes of severe brain injury. In the event of impacts of this type, the helmet and the skull rotate, while the brain, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid, tends to follow this movement with a slight delay. It is this relative rotation between the skull and the brain that generates the stresses that result in damage. The AGV Sphera is designed to limit the rotational force to the head from the very first stages of impact, helping to reduce its effects sixfold.
The system consists of an outer shell attached to the main shell of the helmet, separated from it by a matrix of hundreds of microspheres. In the event of an oblique impact with the ground or an obstacle, the Sphera AGV system is designed to detach in a controlled manner, dissipating some of the energy and helping to limit the rotational force transmitted to the head. Tests conducted by *independent organisations have shown a 6-fold reduction in the risk of concussion compared to a configuration without the AGV Sphera system featuring RLS technology.
Angel Sanchez, CEO of the Dainese Group, stated: “We are proud to once again bring a revolution to the world of motorcycling, radically increasing the safety of our riders — our mission and our priority in every product. We are confident that this innovation will raise the bar even higher for everyone, just as with all previous iterations of the Pista. To achieve this extraordinary result, we worked closely with RLS, an innovative and outstanding British startup which, like us, is fully dedicated to human safety in dynamic environments. With the AGV Sphera system, developed in collaboration with RLS, we are proud to be the first to bring this revolutionary technology to a motorcycle helmet.”
Alongside the Sphera AGV system, AGV has perfected every aspect of the Pista GP R3 with a specific goal in mind: to further improve the helmet’s performance under real-world track conditions. The aerodynamic development, carried out through wind tunnel testing and validated on the track by MotoGP riders, who played an active and crucial role in the development and refinement phases, did not focus exclusively on frontal penetration.
Particular attention was also paid to the cornering phase, when the rider keeps their head turned toward the apex and the exit of the corner—a position that generates significant lateral aerodynamic forces on the helmet. For this reason, the spoiler has been completely redesigned, both in terms of its dimensions and the shape of its lateral surfaces, with the goal of reducing drag in this position and maximising overall aerodynamic neutrality, thereby contributing to performance and reducing rider fatigue.
Significant updates have also been made to the ventilation system. The air vents are now made from Grilamid, a composite of plastic and carbon fibre that combines lightness with high mechanical strength, while the new rear vents optimise the airflow as it exits the shell, promoting faster heat dissipation and contributing to the helmet’s overall aerodynamic balance. This results in an airflow inside the helmet that fully meets the needs of riders under the most intense racing conditions, ensuring maximum comfort and enabling them to focus on the race.
This comfort is further enhanced by a new interior that is even more snug-fitting and ergonomic, giving the rider a greater sense of freedom.
The Pista GP’s visor has always been a key feature of the design, offering the broadest horizontal and vertical field of vision in its class. This enables riders to see the track, their opponents, and any obstacles sooner and more clearly. The helmet made history, the first time Valentino Rossi wore his Pista GP, calling it a landmark moment. “It’s like going from a TV screen to the movie theatre” was his epic reaction while wearing his new helmet. On the Pista GP R3, the visor system continues to evolve. The visor, which constitutes a genuine safety system in its own right, is up to 5 mm thick and features an opening mechanism with even greater retention force, in order to minimise the risk of it opening in the event of an impact.
Despite the implementation of new technologies, the exponential increase in the helmet’s safety and features, and the achievement of FRHPhe-02 FIM type-approval — all thanks to obsessive attention to every detail — the one of the defining features of the Pista GP R3 is its extreme lightness: it is no heavier than its predecessor.
The Pista GP R3 represents the most significant evolution of the Pista GP platform since its introduction. A project developed in part thanks to the direct input of MotoGP riders, with the goal of further raising the safety and performance standards of AGV racing helmets.
Luca Marini, Honda HRC Team – MotoGP: “The helmet is the most important element of all our equipment. Continuing to innovate in this area is a major challenge. Every evolution of the AGV Pista GP has been a leap forward terms of performance, and has improved safety for us motorcyclists. But with this PISTA GP R3, the leap forward is enormous, in every respect. We focused in particular on protection against rotational forces during impact, on ventilation — which is very important, especially for us MotoGP riders — and on aerodynamics, particularly when changing direction. I’m really happy with what we’ve developed, and I can’t wait for it to reach the general public. When I first watched the tests on the new Sphera AGV system, I was amazed; I thought it was simply magical. This technology will make a difference in what matters most: the safety of us as riders.”
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing Team – MotoGP: “This helmet is even more brilliant and special to me because it’s the first one I’ve worked on from the very beginning of the development process; I feel even more connected to it. The Pista GP R3 is very striking — it really stands out in terms of style. It has a super aggressive high-tech design that is very aerodynamic, but every detail is beautiful precisely because it’s extremely functional. The introduction of the new Sphera system with RLS technology represents a truly significant advancement in safety. Knowing that you’re so well protected literally takes one less thing off your mind. And for those of us who practice a sport as beautiful and dangerous as motorcycle racing, it’s essential that we can focus on the essentials when we’re travelling at 360 km/h. What happens on the track, the racing line, the opponents, the next turn. Feeling confident really helps you perform at your best. This helmet has always been a benchmark; the first time you put it on, you’ll be amazed by its wide field of vision and how lightweight it is. On the GP R3 track, we also put a lot of work into the ventilation, which was already excellent, but now I personally think it’s perfect. The first time I saw Valentino wearing a Pista GP, I fell in love with it. His helmet was unlike any other; all the others followed his lead. As soon as I got mine, it filled me with pride.”
Franco Morbidelli, VR46 Racing Team – MotoGP: “This R3 is a major update to the Pista GP, improving it in every way. Over the years, as we’ve worked on helmets, as well as suits, gloves, and boots, we’ve consistently developed products that have led to significant improvements and advancements with each new model. But with the Pista GP R3, the leap forward is incredible. Among the innovations featured in this helmet, safety is the most important; with this new technology, we’re reaching levels never seen before, which is essential to us. The Pista has always been a one-of-a-kind helmet, distinguished by its design, light weight, aerodynamic performance, and unobstructed field of vision. It’s an icon, and it’s always a challenge for designers when they find themselves working on such an iconic and distinctive product. The AGV team have done an incredible job. It’s still the same helmet, but even more aggressive and race-oriented — the Pista GP R3 is truly incredible.”
The Pista GP R3 [Pista GP R CUBE] is the most advanced racing helmet prototype, offering the greatest innovations in terms of safety and performance for MotoGP riders. It will be used by all AGV riders from the 2026 San Marino and Rimini Riviera Grand Prix event onwards.
*Data based on laboratory tests conducted by the Aragon Engineering Research Institute (I3A) at the University of Zaragoza.
The reduction percentage represents the mathematical mean of the results recorded in frontal impact (0°), right-side impact (90°) and left-side (270°) impact. These values were converted into the probability of concussion risk AIS2+ using the BrIC metric.
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Who are Dainese
Dainese (pronounced dye-ee-neh-zeh) is a premier Italian manufacturer of protective gear for motorcycling, biking, and winter sports, founded by Lino Dainese in 1972. Known for innovations like back protectors and the D-air® airbag system, they are a leader in safety technology and own the AGV helmet brand.
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
