Paddock Gossip

Malcolm has been out and about again, looking into the various corners of various paddocks to grab a look at each and every happening that is newsworthy.

Ten timett race winner Giacomo Agostini has confirmed he will appear at this summer’s Classictt Races. The legendary Italian, who has 15 world championship titles to his name, will ride the iconic Robert Iannucci owned 350cc MV Agusta ‘Quattro Cilindri’ that was first introduced in the 1972 world championship season – the bike that replaced the hugely successful MV Agusta triples that won the 350cc world championship every year from 1968 to 1973. Agostini’s name is synonymous with the iconic Italian MV Agusta marque that he represented from the 1965 season. He won the 500cc world championship seven times in a row for the Italian manufacturer – also winning six successive 350cc titles on MVS and no less than 10TT races. His career record included 62 500cc and 48 350cc Grand Prix race wins on MV Agustas. The Classictt, presented by Bennetts, is held from August 17 to 26, and the bike ‘Ago’ will ride in a parade lap epitomises archetypal mid 70s cutting edge Grand Prix racing technology. It is the one that was raced in the 1976 season, where Agostini formed his own team with backing from tobacco firm Marlboro. Brooklyn-basedteam Obsolete owner Rob Iannucci acquired the bike from the MV Agusta Cascina Costa Racing shop in 1986 and theteam Obsolete technicians have refurbished the bike while maintaining it in its original ‘as raced’ condition. Giacomo will lead the field away in the Classic Racer magazine Classic TT Lap of Honour on Monday, August 26. He will also be a guest of honour at the RST Classictt Heroes dinner on Sunday, August 25 as well as appearing at the Vintage Motor Cycle Club’s Festival of Jurby earlier in the day. Team Obsolete’s Rob Iannucci said: “We have been a passionate supporter of the Classictt concept since its initial inception and the chance to bring back the combination of one of the greatest names intt history and one of the most iconic marques was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We thank our sponsors Avontyres and Red Line Synthetic Oil.”