A historic piece of motorcycle racing history is now up for auction. The 1996 Aprilia RS125R ridden by Valentino Rossi during his debut Grand Prix season is being offered through RM Sotheby’s as part of its “Sealed May” collection.
The motorcycle is expected to sell for between £85,000 and £130,000, although the auction carries no reserve price. Bidding is scheduled to close on May 20.
The bike holds particular significance because it was not only Rossi’s first Grand Prix racing machine, but also the motorcycle that delivered his first career victory. Rossi rode the Aprilia to victory at the 1996 Czech Grand Prix at Brno during his rookie 125cc season, a campaign that ultimately ended with a ninth-place finish in the world championship standings.
That win marked the beginning of one of the most successful careers in motorcycle racing history.
Over the next 26 seasons, Rossi went on to secure 115 Grand Prix victories and nine world championships across multiple classes. He won his first world title in the 125cc category in 1997, followed by the 250cc championship in 1999, both with Aprilia machinery before moving to the premier class.
Rossi later became one of the defining figures of the modern MotoGP era, winning premier-class championships with both Honda and Yamaha Motor Company.
According to RM Sotheby’s, the motorcycle remained in private ownership for most of its life after being sold by the Scuderia AGV Aprilia team in early 1997. The auction house says the bike was kept in running condition until changing hands again in 2013, after which it entered storage.
As a result, recommissioning work will likely be required before the two-stroke engine could be operated again.
The sale includes extensive supporting documentation intended to verify the motorcycle’s racing history and authenticity. RM Sotheby’s says the package contains original team documents covering its 1996 race entries, ownership records, and notes from former team manager Mauro Noccioli discussing Rossi’s first victory.
The auction listing also states that the engine currently fitted to the motorcycle is the same unit used during Rossi’s Brno win.
Visually, the bike remains close to its original 1996 racing specification.
The classic AGV Aprilia livery is still intact, along with Rossi’s now-iconic number 46 displayed on the fairing and rear bodywork. Additional small details, including hand-written markings and engraved workshop equipment, further connect the motorcycle to its original racing season.
Compared to modern MotoGP machinery, the RS125R reflects a much simpler era of Grand Prix racing technology.
The cockpit features a basic digital rev counter, while manual suspension adjusters and minimal electronics highlight how lightweight and mechanically focused 125cc race bikes were during the 1990s. The motorcycle’s compact chassis and high-revving two-stroke engine also represent a type of racing machine no longer seen in today’s premier-level competition.
Collectible racing motorcycles associated with major championship riders have become increasingly sought after in recent years, particularly machines tied to landmark moments in a rider’s career. Rossi’s enduring popularity within motorsport makes this example especially notable for collectors and racing historians alike.
The auction offers a rare opportunity to acquire a motorcycle directly connected to the earliest chapter of one of MotoGP’s most influential careers.
