GIACOMO AGOSTINI

This Italian is the all-time record holder in both Grand Prix wins and World Championships with 122 and 15 respectively. The man known to his legions of fans in the 60’s and 70’s simply as ‘Ago’ split his titles between the 500cc class, (now Moto GP) with 68 race wins and 8 titles and the 350cc class with 54 race wins and 7 titles.

Agostini was the son of a wealthy Italian industrialist. His father originally didn't approve of his son's motorcycle racing career. He did everything he could to persuade his son not to race. Agostini had to steal away to compete, first in hill climb events and then in road racing.

Ago raced as team mate to the legendary Mike Hailwood until Hailwood left at the end of the 1965 season and he stepped up to be the number one rider in the team.

Being the number one seemed to inspire Ago and he duly went on to win the 500cc world title for an amazing 7 years in succession. To even things up he also repeated this staggering feat in the 350cc class as well, as if to show that it was no fluke and he was a worthy champion.


In addition to these world championships, Agostini went on to win a truly amazing 10 Isle of man TT races around probably the hardest and at over 37 miles, the longest on street race track in the world.







He retired from competitive racing at the end of the 1977 season in which he also raced in 750cc endurance races for Yamaha. But to this day can still be seen at selected meetings roaring around the track to the delight and appreciation of his loyal fans both young and old.