In the very exclusive club of world champions in the premier category, Franco Uncini is one of those drivers little known to the general public. Those who don't make too much noise, but also those who are very fast. Helped by magnificent period photos, to better immerse ourselves in a characteristic atmosphere, let's look back, and take the time to return to one of the shooting stars of our sport.
Uncini's career is surprisingly complicated to study. Do very high and very low, but almost never in between. He has known everything. Disappointment, frustration, pain, joy. It all started in Italy in the early 1970s, with numerous victories won at national level.
Matured by a few stints in 750cc at Laverda, he made a sensational entry at the highest level in 1976. He was entered on a 350cc Yamaha for the Grand Prix des Nations at Mugello. The local wants to impress, and is determined to win against more than experienced drivers. Starting 3rd, he placed 2nd for his very first race at the highest level. Unfortunately, the weekend is marred by the death of Otello Buscherini, and the flavor of the podium is not the same.*
The locals have always been very strong in Assen. Here, in 1980, the little-known Jack Middelburg triumphed in 500cc, ahead of Graziano Rossi and Franco Uncini. Photo: Fernando Pereira
He is once again a starter in two categories, 250cc and 350cc, for the Dutch Grand Prix, and again, very good performances. For the last round of the championship, still encouraging places: sixth in 250cc, and third in 350cc, on the famous Montjuïc circuit.
The years 1977 and 1978 for Harley-Davidson and then Yamaha were punctuated by blank results. Consistency is not so much his strong point, and this will follow him throughout his career.
He is trying to make a name for himself again, in 500cc, in the big leagues. On a private Suzuki RG500, it clicked. He is more regular, and scores significant podiums. He ranked best private, in 1979 and 1980 finishing 4th and 5th in the championship.
For 1982, Suzuki finally offered him the Gallina handlebars, the factory one, which works well. The season promises to be very competitive... For 2nd place. Franco Uncini literally runs over the competition. No one is able to contain the Italian.
These victories are triumphs: on the technical Salzburgring, he sticks four full seconds to Barry Sheene and eighteen to “King Kenny”. At Misano, he took pole and won by twelve seconds ahead of “Fast Freddie”.
Titled, Franco is at the top having only finished – on his wheels – in his career, hold on, 55 races only. For comparison, a rider would need to have won a MotoGP title in three seasons since his professional debut. Even if the eras are not similar, taking a 500cc title remains infinitely complicated, even at the time.
In this splendid photo, we can see Franco Uncini leading (n°10) ahead of Jack Middelburg (n°4) and Kenny Roberts (n°3) at the 1982 Dutch Grand Prix. Middelburg did not finish the race, to the great dismay of the Batavian supporters; allowing Uncini to win quietly. Photo: Hans Van Dijk / Anefo
1983 starts well, but then comes the Assen round. One of the most terrible accidents in history occurs. After a fall at the exit of a big 'right', Uncini is in the middle of the track, hidden by his motorbike. He gets up and tries to run to safety. As the latter gets up, Wayne Gardner, for his very first 500cc race, hits him in the head. Following the horrific crash, Franco is plunged into a coma, and does not get far from death.
If he comes back the following year, it won't be the same. Still at Suzuki, the latter could no longer do it and decided to hang up his gloves two years later, at the end of 1985.
Working for safety and inducted MotoGP Legend in 2016, Franco is an enigma exit. Had he reached his ceiling in 1982? We will never know. Even if he remains less known than Sheene and Roberts, he has everything of a great, the history, the destiny, and the title.
Cover photo: Hans van Dijk / ANEFO
