Valentino Rossi’s 1997 Aprilia R125 R
With Phil Aynsley
Aprilia entered the World Championships in 1976 in the 125cc Motocross class and continued until 1981 without much success.
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-005-1024x803.jpg)
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-011-1024x636.jpg)
They then decided to switch to the Grand Prix side of things, commencing with the 250cc class, for 1985. You could say it was an excellent decision!
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-006-1024x641.jpg)
It wasn’t until 1985 that their first 125cc GP bike appeared and they gradually became more competitive over the years, with Fausto Gresini finishing fifth in the ’89 season.
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-003-693x1024.jpg)
Alessandro Gramigni went on to score their first race win in 1991 and their first title the following year. The company went on to win a total of 10 125cc titles and nine 250cc titles!
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-014-1024x683.jpg)
This is one of Valentino Rossi’s 1997 R125 R’s (the company’s 125s were referred to by a variety of names over the years) that he used to win his first World Championship, and was photographed in the Phillip Island Circuit Museum in 2018.
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-015-1024x737.jpg)
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-009-683x1024.jpg)
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-010-1024x663.jpg)
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-004-1024x693.jpg)
![Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR Aprilia RR Rossi PA RSR](https://www.mcnews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/1997-Aprilia-R125R-Rossi-PA-RS125R-2018-002-1024x667.jpg)