Although discreet these days, the English were once at the top of the motorcycle Grand Prix. It was the Anglo-Italian rivalry of the 1950s that launched the world championship in the most beautiful way, well before any media coverage. In 70 years, the country has marked the history of sport in the most beautiful way. Currently, only Italy and Spain are doing better in terms of number of titles. Here we are again with a brand new top 10! It’s time for the rankings.
This episode follows the
third part, published yesterday. Find the first part explaining the rules and selection criteria
same here.
No. 6: Leslie Graham
He is quite simply the first world champion in history. Indeed, “Les'” dominated the 1949 season aboard his AJS 500cc “porcupine”. Too often forgotten, he was nevertheless one of the stars of the world in his early days.
Graham's reputation is also due to his involvement in the Second World War, as a pilot for the Royal Air Force. This 1949 season contested with
Nello pagani too often hides the rest of his career, marked by a stint with MV Agusta.
With Cecil Sandford (previously mentioned in the top 10), he is one of the first spearheads of the Italian firm, but has never won anything with it, failing too often on the podium. Despite this, he remains a winner of the
Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, as well as
Ulster Grand Prix, a remarkable thing. This 500cc title secures him a place in this ranking, but going higher will be difficult.
The start of the TT Assen in 1950. A completely different era. Photo: Winterbergen / ANEFO
N ° 5:
Phil Read
Placing Read here was not easy.. Indeed, the battle from fifth to third place rages on. It should still be noted that the first five stand out quite significantly from the rest of the ranking, and for good reason: They are all multiple 500cc world champions, and are among the greatest riders of all time.
So we will focus more on explanation rather than presentation. As a reminder, Phil Read is a magician, who greatly helped
Yamaha to make a name for itself in Grands Prix.
It was he who, during the 1964 season, won the firm's first title in the 250cc category. Six other successes will follow (!), including two in 500cc on MV Agusta (1973, 1974). It could have been three in 1975, but Giacomo Agostini's sheer speed outclassed the Brit's. 52 victories and 121 podiums in his career, a legendary ride but only fifth in the top 10?!
Sadly, Read was not
Haiwood. Phil evolved for a long time in the shadow of his compatriot, having difficulty getting rid of an image of a “magnificent loser” which was ultimately not verified. A little more than 500cc would also have been desired: Despite his two successes, Read remains, in history, a specialist in small categories.
Fifth may seem poorly paid, we grant you that. But that’s the complexity of the exercise! Please let us know what you think of friend Phil Read, and where would you rank it in your top 10!
See you tomorrow for the reveal of places n°4 and n°3 !
A helmet recognizable among thousands. Here in 1956 on Yam' RD56. Photo: Yamaha Community
Cover photo: Phil Read (on the ground) and Renzo Pasolini (n°2) in Rimini.
