Alpinestars
Encyclopedia
Alpinestars is a manufacturer of technical, high performance protective gear for motorcycle
and auto racing
(MotoGP, Motocross
, Formula One
and NASCAR
), as well as action sports such as Mountain Biking
and Surfing
.
Alpinestars has also established a fashion division with design centers in California
and Italy
, which draws upon Alpinestars' heritage in motorsports.
The company takes its name from the English translation of the Italian mountain flower "Stella Alpina" which grows high in the mountains around the area where the company was founded.
Founded in 1963 by Sante Mazzarolo in Asolo, Italy, the company started out making hiking and ski boots, but quickly shifted its focus to making boots for motocross racing as well as road racing boots shortly thereafter. Having enjoyed great success with many world champions such as Roger DeCoster
, Kenny Roberts
and Mick Doohan, the 1990’s saw the company branch out into manufacturing all types of technical protective gear for motorcycling ranging from gloves and jackets to full leather suits.
Today the company is headed by Sante's son, Gabriele Mazzarolo and has offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo while the original headquarters and main research & development facility remain in Northern Italy.
Alpinestars leather suits and protective gear now adorn MotoGP World Champions Casey Stoner
and Jorge Lorenzo
, as well as World Superbike Champions Ben Spies
(now in MotoGP) and Troy Corser
. Alpinestars’ Motocross gear is used by numerous AMA and World Motocross champions such as Marvin Musquin
, Tyla Rattray
, David Philippaerts
, Christophe Pourcel
, Chad Reed
and Ryan Villopoto
.
Alpinestars has recently developed the Tech Air Race System - a highly advanced, electronic airbag safety system that utilizes an advanced data logging unit and dual charge inflation module. This system is currently being used in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships and ultimately will contribute to motorcycle rider safety on the street.
In auto racing, flame and heat retardant Nomex suits, footwear, gloves and underwear have been developed in Formula One and NASCAR with recent champions Michael Schumacher
, Jenson Button
, Fernando Alonso
and Jimmie Johnson
using the gear with great success. Also, Top Gear’s the Stig
wears a white Alpinestars race suit, shoes and gloves.
Alpinestars was also a renowned manufacturer of mountain bikes up until production ceased in 1996 and has now focused on producing a specialist line of clothing and rider protection for mountain bike athletes.
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
and auto racing
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
(MotoGP, Motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
, Formula One
Formula One
Formula One, also known as Formula 1 or F1 and referred to officially as the FIA Formula One World Championship, is the highest class of single seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . The "formula" designation in the name refers to a set of rules with which...
and NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
), as well as action sports such as Mountain Biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
and Surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
.
Alpinestars has also established a fashion division with design centers in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, which draws upon Alpinestars' heritage in motorsports.
The company takes its name from the English translation of the Italian mountain flower "Stella Alpina" which grows high in the mountains around the area where the company was founded.
Founded in 1963 by Sante Mazzarolo in Asolo, Italy, the company started out making hiking and ski boots, but quickly shifted its focus to making boots for motocross racing as well as road racing boots shortly thereafter. Having enjoyed great success with many world champions such as Roger DeCoster
Roger DeCoster
Roger De Coster is a Belgian former world champion motocross racer and current motocross team manager.-Motorcycling career:...
, Kenny Roberts
Kenny Roberts
Kenneth Leroy Roberts is a former motorcycle racer and racing team owner. In 1978, he became the first American to win a Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championship. He was also a two-time winner of the A.M.A. Grand National Championship...
and Mick Doohan, the 1990’s saw the company branch out into manufacturing all types of technical protective gear for motorcycling ranging from gloves and jackets to full leather suits.
Today the company is headed by Sante's son, Gabriele Mazzarolo and has offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo while the original headquarters and main research & development facility remain in Northern Italy.
Alpinestars leather suits and protective gear now adorn MotoGP World Champions Casey Stoner
Casey Stoner
Casey Stoner is an Australian professional motorcycle racer. Born in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia and raised in Southport, Queensland, Stoner raced from a young age and moved to the United Kingdom to pursue a racing career...
and Jorge Lorenzo
Jorge Lorenzo
Jorge Lorenzo Guerrero , is a Spanish professional motorcycle road racer. He is the 2006 and 2007 250cc World Champion, and the MotoGP World Champion...
, as well as World Superbike Champions Ben Spies
Ben Spies
Ben Spies , also known as "Elbowz" due to his riding style where his elbows protrude outward, is a professional motorcycle road racer who turned pro in 2000...
(now in MotoGP) and Troy Corser
Troy Corser
Troy Gordon Corser is a professional motorcycle road racer, the and Superbike World champion....
. Alpinestars’ Motocross gear is used by numerous AMA and World Motocross champions such as Marvin Musquin
Marvin Musquin
Marvin Musquin is a French motocross racer.In 2004, Musquin won the European Motocross Championship in the 85cc class. He followed this by winning the 2006 125cc Junior World Championship. He competed on a privateer Honda in the 2008 F.I.M. MX2-GP world championship, finishing in 14th...
, Tyla Rattray
Tyla Rattray
Tyla Rattray , is a Grand Prix motocross world champion.Rattray made his first foray into international racing in 1999 when he participated in the inaugural FIM 85cc world cup at Gaildorf, Germany...
, David Philippaerts
David Philippaerts
David Philippaerts is an Italian Grand Prix motocross world champion of Italian and Belgian descent.He was the 2008 F.I.M. world champion in the MX-1GP class riding for a Yamaha team run by former motocross world champion Michele Rinaldi.- References :...
, Christophe Pourcel
Christophe Pourcel
Christophe Pourcel , is a French motocross rider, and winner of the 2006 FIM MX2 World Motocross Championships....
, Chad Reed
Chad Reed
Chad Mark Reed AM is an Australian motocross and supercross racer. He is a multi-time supercross and motocross champion. He was taught from a young age as being capable of competing at the sports most elite level. He has proven to be the most consistent supercross/motocross racer in the 2000-2009...
and Ryan Villopoto
Ryan Villopoto
Ryan Villopoto is a motocross and supercross champion who currently competes in the AMA Supercross series and the AMA Lucas Oil Motocross series. He resides in Mennifee California and will race for Kawasaki in the 2012 supercross and outdoor motocross series...
.
Alpinestars has recently developed the Tech Air Race System - a highly advanced, electronic airbag safety system that utilizes an advanced data logging unit and dual charge inflation module. This system is currently being used in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships and ultimately will contribute to motorcycle rider safety on the street.
In auto racing, flame and heat retardant Nomex suits, footwear, gloves and underwear have been developed in Formula One and NASCAR with recent champions Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher
Michael Schumacher is a German Formula One racing driver for the Mercedes GP team. Famous for his eleven-year spell with Ferrari, Schumacher is a seven-time World Champion and is widely regarded as the greatest F1 driver of all time...
, Jenson Button
Jenson Button
Jenson Alexander Lyons Button MBE is a British Formula One driver currently signed to McLaren. He was the 2009 World Drivers' Champion.Button began karting at the age of eight and achieved early success, before progressing to car racing in the British Formula Ford Championship and the British...
, Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso
Fernando Alonso Díaz is a Spanish Formula One racing driver and a two-time World Champion, who is currently racing for Ferrari....
and Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Johnson
Jimmie Kenneth Johnson is an American NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race car driver. He currently drives the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports....
using the gear with great success. Also, Top Gear’s the Stig
The Stig
The Stig is a character in the British motoring television show Top Gear. The character plays on the anonymity of racing drivers' full-face helmets, with the running joke that nobody knows who, or indeed what, is inside the character's racing suit. The character was the creation of presenter Jeremy...
wears a white Alpinestars race suit, shoes and gloves.
Alpinestars was also a renowned manufacturer of mountain bikes up until production ceased in 1996 and has now focused on producing a specialist line of clothing and rider protection for mountain bike athletes.