Giacomo Agostini

15 World Championship titles — Giacomo Agostini is the most decorated motorcycle racer in history.

Giacomo Agostini was born on 16 June 1942 in Brescia, Italy, and grew up in Lovere, near Bergamo, in a well-to-do family whose father, a respected town council official, initially opposed his son's interest in motorcycle racing, requiring a family friend's signature — under the false belief it was for pushbike racing — before Agostini could compete. Agostini began in hill-climb events, winning the Italian Mountain Championship, before signing with MV Agusta in 1965, launching the most dominant stretch of individual success in the sport's history. He won seven consecutive 500cc World Championships between 1966 and 1972, and seven consecutive 350cc titles between 1968 and 1974, completing the double in all five years from 1968 to 1972. Agostini shocked the motorcycling world by moving to Yamaha in 1974, winning the 350cc title that year and the 500cc crown in 1975 — his 15th and final world championship, a record that remains unmatched in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history. He also won ten Isle of Man TT races across his career, and 122 Grand Prix victories in total. Agostini retired from full-time racing in 1977 and became a successful team manager for Yamaha and Cagiva during the 1980s and 1990s, and briefly competed in the British Formula One Championship. Widely regarded as the greatest Grand Prix motorcycle racer of all time, he remains a national hero in Italy.

Smooth, calculated riding style with exceptional racecraft and consistency

Greatest motorcycle racer of all time with record 122 GP wins and 15 world championships

• World Champion 15x (500cc 8x, 350cc 7x)
• 122 Grand Prix wins