Giacomo Agostini
Published: Sunday, 31 May 2009, 5:10PM
The most successful world championship rider of all time, Giacomo Agostini was a works MV Agusta rider who made his TT debut in 1965 and for the next eight years he firmly established himself as one of the Isle of Man greats.
A dashing Italian with film star looks, cynics would point to a lack of opposition for his 10 TT wins but the way the Bergamo rider went toe to toe with arch rival Mike Hailwood in 1966 and 1967 was proof that he could take on the very best the Mountain Circuit had to offer.
A dashing Italian with film star looks, cynics would point to a lack of opposition for his 10 TT wins but the way the Bergamo rider went toe to toe with arch rival Mike Hailwood in 1966 and 1967 was proof that he could take on the very best the Mountain Circuit had to offer.
Ago stepped on to the podium for the very first time in the 1965 Junior, an amazing feat in itself, and just one year later he took his first ever TT win in the corresponding race.
He also set a new lap record before claiming second in the Senior but it was the following years races which saw Ago showcase his talents even further.
He also set a new lap record before claiming second in the Senior but it was the following years races which saw Ago showcase his talents even further.
After taking second in the Junior, Agostini smashed the outright lap record from a standing start in the 1967 Senior TT and it remains to this day as one of the most talked about races in the history of the TT.
At two-thirds race distance he led Hailwood by 12 seconds but on the very next lap his chain broke at Windy Corner and he was forced to tour home. He had pushed Hailwood, seemingly unbeaten around the 37-¾ mile circuit, to new heights though and the pair shattered the old lap record, speeds that remained unbeaten for another 8 years.
At two-thirds race distance he led Hailwood by 12 seconds but on the very next lap his chain broke at Windy Corner and he was forced to tour home. He had pushed Hailwood, seemingly unbeaten around the 37-¾ mile circuit, to new heights though and the pair shattered the old lap record, speeds that remained unbeaten for another 8 years.
With MV Agusta dominating the Grand Prix scene, he took a Senior-Junior double for the next three years, won the Senior in 1971 and then did another double in 1972.
This proved to be his final year of racing at the TT as his good friend Gilberto Parlotti tragically lost his life in that year’s 125cc race. Ago refused to race again on the Mountain Course but has continued to support the event and is a regular participant in the popular Parade Laps on one of his beloved MV’s.
This proved to be his final year of racing at the TT as his good friend Gilberto Parlotti tragically lost his life in that year’s 125cc race. Ago refused to race again on the Mountain Course but has continued to support the event and is a regular participant in the popular Parade Laps on one of his beloved MV’s.
