A superb and rare photo. Shown is multiple world
champion Giacomo Agostini on
the Moto Morini 175cc Grand Prix -
Gran Premio - factory racer of 1964.
Giacomo Agostini, the famous multiple future world
champion (on MV Agusta and Yamaha), is seen in action during the West German
Grand Prix of 1964, which was ridden on the circuit of Solitude on July 22 that
year. It was the first time that Agostini rode the Morini 250 single outside of
Italy and it would be the
only time that the Morini would be put into action outside of Italy. They
concentrated on the Italian Championship that year, which Ago and Morini ended
up winning before Tarquinio
Provini on the Benelli four.
Giacomo Agostini was born in the
Italian town of Lovere, in the province of Lombardy. He 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 would have to steal away to compete, first in hill climb
events and then in road racing. Eventually his father came to terms with his
racing and he won the 1963 Italian 175cc championship aboard a Morini. He got
his break when Morini factory rider, Tarquinio Provini
left the team to ride for Benelli. Count Alfonso Morini
hired the young Agostini to ride for him. In 1964, Agostini would win the
Italian 350cc title and proved his ability by finishing fourth in the Italian
Grand Prix at Monza.
These results caught the eye of Count Domenico
Agusta who signed Agostini to ride for his MV Agusta squad as Mike Hailwood's
team-mate. Agostini then fought a season-long battle with Honda's Jim Redman
for the 1965 350cc world championship. He seemed to have the title won when he
led the final round in Japan
at Suzuka when, his bike failed him handing the title to Redman. Hailwood left
to join Honda as he had tired of working for the difficult Count Agusta. Agostini
responded by winning the 500cc title seven years in succession for the Italian
factory. He would also win the 350cc title six times in succession and won 10
Isle of Man TTs. In 1967 he battled Hailwood in one of the most dramatic
seasons in Grand Prix history. Each rider had 5 victories before the
championship was decided in Agostini's favor at the last race of the season.
Agostini dropped a bombshell on the Grand Prix world when, after the death of
his close friend, Gilberto Parlotti at the 1972 Isle of Man TT he announced he
would never again race at the event because he considered it unsafe. At the
time, the TT was the most prestigious race on the motorcycling calendar. Other
top riders joined his boycott of the event and by 1976, the event was stricken
from the Grand Prix schedule. Agostini surprised the racing world when he
announced that he would ride for Yamaha in 1974. On his first outing for the Japanese
factory, he won the prestigious Daytona 200, the premiere American motorcycle
race, becoming the first of would would be seven 500cc or MotoGP world
champions to win the event. He went on to claim the 1974 350cc World
Championship but injuries and mechanical problems kept him from winning the
500cc crown. He rebounded and won the 1975 500cc title, the first time that a
two-stroke machine had claimed the premier class. It would also be his last
world title. In 1976, he would win his last Grand Prix, taking an MV Agusta
to victory at the Nürburgring. He retired from motorcycle competition after
finishing 6th in the 1977 season. Agostini, who was inducted into the AMA
Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999, is considered one of the greatest Grand Prix
riders of all time. In 17 years he won a record 15 Grand Prix World
Championship titles and 122 Grand Prix victories. In 2000, the FIM named him a
Grand Prix "Legend".
This is your rare chance to own this photo that reflects a very interesting and highly historic piece of motorcycle and Moto Morini ‘s glorious
history. Therefore it is printed in a nice large format of ca. 8" x 12"
(ca. 20 x 30 cm).
No copyright expressed or implied. Sold as collectable item only. We are clearing out our archives that we have gathered from various sources.
All items always sent well protected in PVC clear files and board backed envelopes.
They make the perfect gift and are perfectly suited for framing. They will look gorgeous unframed and will be a true asset nicely framed with a border. They are a gorgeous and great asset in every home, workshop, workplace, restaurant, bar or club!
First come - first served. And you can always contact us for your requests. Please ask any questions before the auction ends.