Ten time TT Race winner Giacomo Agostini is confirmed to appear at the 2019 Classic TT Races presented by Bennetts.

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.

Giacomo Agostini’s name is synonymous with the iconic Italian MV Augusta 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 MV’s and no less than ten TT Races. His career record included 62 500cc and 48 350cc Grand Prix race wins on MV Agustas.

The bike that he will ride in a parade lap at the Classic TT epitomises archetypal mid 70’s 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 company Marlboro.

The season was beset with problems in the 350cc class but the highlight was undoubtedly the famous victory at the Dutch TT at Assen where the warmer weather conditions handed a huge advantage to the air/oil cooled MV’s while the two stroke teams were forced to detune and struggled in the conditions. The Italian lead from the start of the race, and won by a margin of 24 seconds. The victory in the Dutch TT was Agostini’s final 350 Race win, MV’s final 350 race win and the last time a four stroke engine won a race in the 350cc class.

Brooklyn based Team Obsolete owner Rob Iannucci acquired the bike from the MV Agusta Cascina Costa Racing shop in 1986 and the Team 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 26th August. He will also be a guest of honour at the RST Classic TT Heroes dinner on Sunday 25th August 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 Classic TT concept since its initial inception and the chance to bring back the combination of one of the greatest names in TT history and one of the most iconic marques was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up. We are delighted to be able to give people on the Isle of Man the chance to witness this remarkable bike being ridden on the Mountain Course and to be able to add another chapter to this prestigious event’s growing reputation.”  “We thank our sponsors Avon Tyres and Red Line Synthetic Oil.”

Tickets for the 2019 Classic TT are now on sale via the Official iomttraces.com website including Official Grandstand Tickets, VIP Hospitality Experiences, and Official Entertainment Events including the Counterfeit Stones Classic TT Party Performance.


Photo credit: Photographs of MV Agusta courtesy of photographer Yve Assad.