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Alpinestars

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This article is about the Italian clothing company. For the electronica group, see Alpinestars (band).
Alpinestars
Company typePrivate
IndustryMotorsport clothing
Action sports clothing
Casual clothing
Founded1963
FounderSante Mazzarolo
Headquarters
Asolo, Veneto
,
Italy
Number of locations
3 (2010)
Key people
Gabriele Mazzarolo
Websitewww.alpinestars.com

Alpinestars is a manufacturer of technical, high performance protective gear[1] for motorcycle and auto racing (MotoGP, Motocross, Formula One, WEC and NASCAR), as well as action sports such as mountain Biking and surfing. Alpinestars also makes motorsports-themed, non-sports clothing, with fashion design centers in California and Italy.

The company's name comes 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, and road racing boots shortly thereafter. They sponsored motorsport world champions such as Roger DeCoster, Kenny Roberts and Mick Doohan. During the 1990s the company branched out into manufacturing all types of technical protective gear for motorcycling such as gloves, jackets, and full leather suits.

The company has been headed by Sante's son, Gabriele Mazzarolo, since 1993. There areoffices in Los Angeles and Tokyo while the original headquarters and main research & development facility remain in Northern Italy.

Alpinestars leather suits and protective gear are worn MotoGP World Champions Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo, and World Superbike Champions Ben Spies and Troy Corser. Alpinestars' motocross gear is used by AMA and World Motocross champions Marvin Musquin, Tyla Rattray, David Philippaerts, Christophe Pourcel, and Ryan Villopoto.

In 2011 Alpinestars developed the Tech Air Race System, an electronic airbag safety system that uses a data logging unit and dual charge inflation module.[2] It was used in the MotoGP and World Superbike championships and was intended to eventually be worn by street riders. In June 2013 Marc Márquez crashed at a speed of around 337 km/h (209 mph) while wearing the airbag suit and did not sustain serious injuries.[3]

Alpinestars developed flame and heat retardant Nomex suits, footwear, gloves, and underwear for Formula One and NASCAR, which has been worn by recent champions Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Fernando Alonso and Jimmie Johnson. Top Gear's the Stig wears a white Alpinestars race suit, shoes and gloves.[4]

Alpinestars made mountain bikes until 1996.[5]

Sponsorships

NASCAR

Primary sponsor

Drivers/associate sponsor

Formula One

Teams

Drivers

GP2 Series

MotoGP

Teams

MotoGP

Moto3

Riders

MotoGP

Moto2

Moto3

Former sponsorships

Formula One

Teams

Riders

MotoGP

Motorsport events

References

  1. ^ "Alpinestars". Alpinestars. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  2. ^ "Alpinestars TechAir race suit available July 2011, $2500 over the "Race Replica" | Hell for Leather". Hellforleathermagazine.com. 2010-04-30. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  3. ^ By The Numbers: Marc Marquez’s Mugello Crash
  4. ^ BBC Top Gear: Who is the Stig?
  5. ^ History of Alpinestars' bikes
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