Valentino Rossi Leather Suits: A Legacy of Excellence in MotoGP

Valentino Rossi is one of the defining names in MotoGP. Nicknamed "The Doctor" and racing under number 46, he retired at the end of the 2021 season as a nine-time world champion, seven of those titles in the premier class, according to Sky Sports. Suits inspired by his race wear remain a popular choice for fans, and the Valentino Rossi Movistar Yamaha Le Mans MotoGP 2016 Suit is one of them.

Rossi and Yamaha at Le Mans 2016

The French Grand Prix at Le Mans took place on May 8, 2016. Rossi rode for the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP team and finished second, behind his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, as listed by Wikipedia. The suit on this page is inspired by the Movistar Yamaha race wear of that weekend, which makes it a specific reference to a single race rather than a general Yamaha design.

Inspired By, Not Official

Leather Collection builds replicas inspired by MotoGP race wear. They are not official team or rider products and carry no license or endorsement from Rossi, Yamaha or any team. The name, number and team are used to describe the suit that inspired the design. Other suits in the Rossi-inspired range include the Rossi 2018 Movistar Yamaha suit and the Honda-era Rossi race suit , and the VR46 racing gloves complete the look.

What to Check in a Replica Race Suit

A replica is worn for its design, but it still has to fit and protect like a race suit. Three checks apply to any suit in the MotoGP replica race suits range, including this one, and the Yamaha category groups the Yamaha designs together.

• Fit in the crouch. Judge a race suit in the tuck position rather than standing: it should feel snug, not tight, with no excess material bunching and with armor sitting over the joints.
• Protection details. Read the product page for the armor that is fitted and for any garment class. EN 17092 classes and EN 1621 armor levels describe tested performance, and a replica should only be assumed to meet them if the listing says so.
• Sizing options. Leather Collection makes hand-stitched, made-to-order gear and has done so since 2009, so measurements can be supplied for a made-to-measure suit instead of relying on a standard size.

Wearing a Rossi-Inspired Suit

Replica suits are worn on track days, at club events and as collector pieces. Fans who want the full look can match the suit with gloves and boots in the same palette, as long as each piece fits and is rated for its use. A suit worn on track should be fitted as a piece of protective equipment first and as a replica second.

Written by the Leather Collection Editorial Team.