Cycle News Staff | January 11, 2023
2021 MotoGP Champion Fabio “El Diablo” Quartararo has signed an exclusive deal to wear HJC’s flagship racing helmet, the FIM-homologated RPHA 1, which he will debut on February 9 at the Sepang MotoGP Official Test.
HJC RPHA 1 Quartararo-Replica Helmet
A Quartararo-replica RPHA 1 helmet—like the one that he will debut at Sepang and complete with Quartararo’s trademark El Diablo motif—is scheduled to hit dealer showrooms in March 2023. The highly vented RPHA 1 has built-in speaker pockets and it comes with a pinlock lens, tear-offs and a clear aero-spoiler.
HJC will also be releasing an official FQ20 (Fabio Quartararo #20) line of helmets that will include a variety of HJC models including, but not limited to, the all-new i71 and the C10.
Here is more from HJC’s press release:
In what might be considered the biggest news in the brand’s 52-year history, HJC is extremely pleased to announce that 2021 MotoGP World Champion Fabio Quartararo has joined the number-one helmet manufacturer in the world as he moves forward in his already extraordinary career.
The 23-year-old racer from Nice, France, has earned 11 wins and 28 total podiums in the MotoGP class since his debut in 2019, and the first French champion in premier class history has signed an exclusive deal to wear HJC’s flagship racing helmet, the FIM-homologated RPHA 1, when he lines up on the grid in 2023 to begin his fight to retain the MotoGP title.
From Fabio Quartararo:
“Hi everybody! I am very pleased to announce my collaboration with HJC Helmets. HJC is a family-owned company with 52 years of quality helmet-making experience and a great history in professional racing. HJC invests heavily in professional-racing sponsoring, from rookies to world champions. HJC provides the finest professional service in the paddock which is always important for riders. I like the brand also for the cool marketing it does.
I know the RPHA 1 race helmet, as I’m a good friend with Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow, who has been wearing HJC for many years. Also, riders like Brad Binder has been racing with HJC and the RPHA 1 helmet. The race helmet looks extremely aerodynamic with many safety features that are important to professional riders.
I cannot wait to try it on in the upcoming MotoGP races with a goal to place it on the top of the podium. I look forward to working hard and fight for MotoGP Championships together with HJC. I want to thank HJC and the Hong family for the trust in me and I look forward to this journey together. I wish everyone happy new year and see you on tracks for new adventures. Cheers!”
From HJC Helmets:
“We are very excited about our new partnership with the 2021 MotoGP World Champion, Fabio Quartararo. At only 23 years old, he’s already accomplished what most racers can only dream of, and we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for him. We’ve followed him closely throughout his young career, and at one point, we just sat back in our chairs and thought, ‘This guy is special. He’s going to be a champion.’ And he quickly proved us right. From his late-race charges in Moto2 to his Rookie of the Year performance in MotoGP to becoming the first French premier-class champion in Grand Prix history, Fabio is on a path to greatness, and we are happy we can be a part of it. We look forward to working with Fabio as we try to win more World Championships together. From all of us at HJC, welcome to the family, Fabio!”
The RPHA 1 Quartararo race replica is scheduled to hit dealer showrooms this spring, in March 2023, complete with his new trademark “Diablo” design on the top, and expect to see a couple of different limited-edition race helmets in some very special races. HJC will also be releasing an official FQ20 line of helmets that will be featured on a variety of HJC models including, but not limited to, the all-new i71 and C10.
Quartararo will make his HJC RPHA 1 debut on February 9, at the Sepang MotoGP Official Test, where he will wear his special Winter Test graphic, and then his new and improved Diablo race helmet will come out when the 2023 season officially kicks off on March 23 at the Grand Prix of Portugal. Let’s go, Fabio!
For more information, visit www.hjchelmets.us
