Cycle News

Cycle News 2023 Issue 19 May 16

Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles

Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1499289

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Page 133 of 145

VOLUME ISSUE MAY , P133 topped America's best racers with an impressive third-place finish at the AMA National at Ontario Motor Speedway. And on this day at Monza, the same track where he had been victori - ous two years earlier, he was in first place, leading Saarinen and many of the world's best racers before the deadly crash. Renzo "Paso" Pasolini was born in 1938 in the province of Rimini, Italy. Rimini is a province located along the Adriatic Sea; fittingly, one of young Renzo's early motorcycle rides would end in the water! It was not a fully sanctioned ride, as Renzo's father, Massimo Pasolini (him - self an Italian racing champion) wasn't aware that his young son had taken one of his father's motorcycles for a ride la felicità! As a young man, Renzo tried his hand at motocross (and both hands at boxing) before embark - ing on his career as a road racer. His endeavor was interrupted by a two-year sabbatical to fulfill his Italian military obligation, meaning that Pasolini was 26 years old before he scored his first Grand Prix points, ironically, at the Nations Grand Prix in Monza in 1964. He would go on to race at the greatest tracks around the world, including the Isle of Man, Assen, Daytona and Ontario. Pasolini rode for Aermacchi and Benelli, storied Italian brands to be sure, but also machines that were often inferior to the MV Agustas ridden by Hailwood, Read and Agostini. In 1972, Pasolini was nearly champion, ous two years earlier, he was in first place, leading Saarinen and fittingly, one of young Renzo's early motorcycle rides would end in the water! It was not a fully sanctioned ride, as Renzo's father, Massimo Pasolini (him self an Italian racing champion) (Right) In 1972, Pasolini was nearly champion, losing the 250cc world title to Jarno Saarinen by a single point. (Below) Pasolini (right) with teammate Mark Brelsford.

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