Retrospective: You forgot these world champions! 2/7

After the 2022 season, there are 128 : this is the number of different world champions who have marked the history of motorcycle Grands Prix, all categories combined. This number may seem enormous, although it does not take into account sidecars, which are too often forgotten. However, a good number of surnames are familiar. Being a world champion, regardless of engine size, is the achievement of a lifetime. Moreover, the majority of elected officials, over the 74-year history of the organization, have also performed at the highest level, or at least, left a sufficiently important mark for us to remember them. But this is not the case for everyone. Together, let's return to the forgotten, those who left only their world coronation.

After having mentioned Gábor Talmácsi at length in the first part, we're going to go back in time and look at not one, but two champions that few remember. Starting with Dutch Henk van Kessel. Unlike Hungary, the Netherlands has given birth to a whole bunch of drivers, each as talented as the next. In the premier category, how can we not mention Wil Hartog, Suzuki rider at the end of the 1970s, or even Jack Middelburg at the same period. He is one of the natives of the country who was a scarecrow in the smallest category at the beginning of the 1970s: the legend Jan de Vries, twice titled in 1971 and 1973.

 

But he wasn't the only Kreidler performer. Henk van Kessel arrived in Grands Prix in 1972, in 50cc. Already 26 years old, he is immediately fast. The following year, he raced two categories simultaneously, a fairly common occurrence at the time and especially in the world of small cars. If he does not deserve it in 125cc, the 50cc is his preference. He reached the podium twice, and finished 5th in a year dominated by his friend and compatriot Jan de Vries.

The following year, it was the revelation. Equipped with official Van Veen Kreidler machines against opposition armed with private motorcycles (and in the absence of Jan de Vries and Nieto), van Kessel outrageously dominated the 50cc category with six victories in nine races contested. This performance ensured him the title of world champion in 1974. As for Talmácsi, he should not have appeared in this series of articles with such a thunderous debut. Unfortunately, the domination of Angel Nieto and a failed move to the higher categories put an end to the beautiful story.

His epic continued with relative success, marked by a single victory on the occasion of the 1979 Belgian Grand Prix on a Sparta 50cc. Despite numerous other podium finishes, he never again dominated as in 1974 and made his last appearance at the highest level in 1986, reflecting a long career. In the shadow of his friend Jan de Vries, Henk van Kessel is sadly forgotten when we talk about small-engine specialists.

 

The second driver of the day experienced a completely different trajectory, unique in history. Indeed, Mario Lega only counts 36 races disputed in career, for only one victory (!) And yet, he is indeed a world champion. The Italian starts at national level, as often. But unlike the most prestigious names which built the motorcycle Grands Prix, Lega took a long time before finding a full-time ride in the world championship. Although he made his debut in 1966, it was not until 1977 that he was given a place among the elite.

Until now, he had made numerous wildcards, sometimes successfully. On a private Yamaha in both 250cc and 350cc, he takes the measure of his tough opponents. The quarter-liter grid is full of talent: Walter Villa et Franco Uncini on Harley-Davidson, but also Kork Ballington, Jon Ekerold or Takazumi Katayama. At the start of the season, he showed decent form while the main favorites struggled considerably, starting with Villa. Then, the unthinkable happens. In order to replace Paolo Pileri in Morbidely, Mario Lega is requisitioned: He changes brands in the middle of the season, and for the better. Against all expectations, his exemplary consistency allowed him to be among the best at mid-season.

During the Yugoslav Grand Prix, he even pocketed victory, the first of his career! The management of the perfect end of the season, with three other podiums in Sweden, Belgium and Czechoslovakia ensured him the title ahead of Uncini, future 500cc world champion! He was the first to be crowned having driven two different machines during the same season. What an accomplishment.

Then, nothing at all. While he still raced in 250cc and 350cc, he did not win any more races. He is, with Jean-Louis Tournadre, the only world champion to have only one career victory.. Despite two podiums during the 1978 season, shooting star Mario Lega hung up his leathers at the end of the following year to return to his job... in telecommunications. A barely believable destiny for the “Centaur of Romagna”, but a title acquired in front of an audience of champions is not insignificant.

What did you think of these two drivers? Tell us in the comments!

 

Cover photo: Henk van Kessel at the 1974 Dutch Grand Prix. Photo: ANEFO