PIC: 'Watch out for sharks!' Rossi's Misano helmet

As is traditional, Valentino Rossi unveiled a special helmet design on day two of his home MotoGP at Misano.

The official explanation from AGV says that the title leader is pictured as a yellow fish, being 'followed by all the other "sharks" of the MotoGP Championship'.

On the left side of the helmet is the writing "go go go!" in Italian ("via via via!"), while on the back is the #46, #58, Rossi's dogs Cecilia and Cesare, and cat Rossano - the pets wearing a diver's mask and a snorkel.

The water theme was inspired by Misano's beachside location.

"Watch out for sharks!" concluded the AGV statement added.

Speaking on Saturday evening, Rossi himself said: "Because this is my home race, everybody wants to beat me, so the big shark on my helmet represents Jorge, Marc, the Ducatis. All these guys want to eat me because I'm the small fish, but I will try to escape, that's the target!"

Rossi starts Sunday's race from third on the grid and with a twelve point lead over team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who qualified on pole. Marc Marquez qualified between the Yamaha riders.

The helmet isn't the only new addition for Rossi this weekend - he and Lorenzo also have 'winglets' available for their M1s. Both used them at the end of final practice, but were back on their standard bikes for qualifying.

The Misano Circuit, just 20 minutes from Rossi's home in Tavullia, has announced that Sunday's race is sold out.