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/1533377
I f 1970s Hollywood had been looking for a good motorcycle racing screenplay, perhaps some- thing even more compelling than Little Fauss and Big Halsey, then the 1974 Daytona 200 road race could've delivered the goods. Picture this: a heart- throbbingly handsome Italian World Champion, racing for the first time on a new and very different motorcycle, comes to America to compete for the first time ever in the world's most prestigious race. Awaiting him on the grid are both seasoned Daytona veterans and talented, hungry young- sters, all of whom have hundreds of laps around the Florida track. Starring Gary Nixon, Kenny Roberts, Yvon DuHamel and of course, Gia- como Agostini. The only missing element was a beautiful actress, one whose star would not outshine Ago. Is Gina Lollobrigida available? Giacomo Agostini was born July 16th, 1942, in the town of Brescia in Northern Italy. Italians and motorsport go together like meatballs and spa- ghetti, but if young Ago was going to do battle on a racetrack, he would first have to win over his parents. Even though they had purchased a Bianchi moped for their son, they stood firmly against any notion of him ever racing. Agostini was 18 years old before turning a wheel on the racetrack, with his first victory on two wheels coming in hillclimbing competition. From there, it was a quick ascension to the road racing circuit, and he soon began winning events for the Moto Morini factory. In 1964, he won the Italian Senior Road Racing Championship. Switching to MV Agusta, he headed to the Grands Prix circuit in 1965. A breakdown at the final event relegated him to second place in the final standings in the 350cc class, but he returned in 1966 to win the 500cc title. Ago would win one world championship—and sometimes two, each of the next 11 seasons. CNIIARCHIVES P122 BY KENT TAYLOR AGO BLITZES DAYTONA I f 1970s Hollywood had been looking for a good motorcycle racing screenplay, perhaps some thing even more compelling than Big Halsey could've delivered the goods. Picture this: a heart- throbbingly handsome Italian World Champion, racing for the first time on a new and very different motorcycle, comes to America to compete for the first time ever in the world's most prestigious race. Awaiting him on the grid are both seasoned Daytona veterans and talented, hungry young sters, all of whom have hundreds of laps around the Florida track. Starring Gary Nixon, Kenny Roberts, Yvon DuHamel and of course, Gia 1942, in the town of Brescia in Northern Italy. Italians and motorsport go together like meatballs and spa ghetti, but if young Ago was going to do battle on a AGO Giacomo Agostini showed everyone who the best was at the Daytona 200 in 1974. WHEN GIACOMO AGOSTINI BEAT A SEASONED FIELD OF RACERS IN THE DAYTONA 200.