Added: 4 years ago
From: manolobortulen
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  • I was there too. I was nine years old and my elder brother and my father watched the race from the bank at Hillbery. My lasting memory is watching Hailwood's ill handling Honda literally leaping around as he sped past us. He described the bike as having a hinge in the middle. He was spot on. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that rear wheel was bouncing over two feet apart as the rear end leapt left to right - on the straight!

  • Hmmm...

    Ago was a great rider, but I think Mike always had his measure. Even Ago himself said Hailwood was the greatest.

    I believe Mike had the option of riding for MV in 1968, but turned it down as soon as he realised Ago was being given a quicker bike in his initial practice sessions. What a loss to Motorcycle racing, that Mike switched to cars in his prime. If he had continued with bikes, Ago would not have racked up the world titles he did. Many of them would have gone to Mike.

  • @eventcone Honda paid Mike to not race for another manufacturer when they pulled out of motorcycle GP, that's why he went to F1.

  • @saulocpp Yes, you're correct, of course.

    My memory is a little hazy here. Perhaps it was the 1969 season?

    Either way - what a loss to Motorcycle racing! Although if he had stayed with bikes we would not have had the emotion of that wonderful return in 1978.

  • @eventcone I think his last season was 1968 when Honda left motorcycle competition, but I'm unaware about MV offering him a seat again.

    Yes, Hailwood, Saarinen and Sheene are 3 of the great losses to the sport. As for the return, 10-11 years after leaving motorcycling, I think this is his credential for being the greatest of them all. Yes, Ago and Rossi have bigger numbers, but they never needed to adapt to new technology after 10 years away. Hailwood is the top in my book.

  • @saulocpp How many titles and TT wins if he had stayed with bikes into the mid 70s? We will never know......

    I agree with you about Mike adapting to new technology. In terms of a rider adapting in this way, I think it's true to say that the biggest changes of the last 50 years were crammed into those 11 years he was away. He certainly gets my vote as the Greatest.

    However, I think he was very wise to choose the TT, where experience counts for more than youth, provided you're fit enough?

  • @eventcone Not only this, but I think it also checks the riders' balls. Winning this thing 12 times, it's not for everybody. At that time, the chance of a rider being killed by this race was too high.

  • @saulocpp How about Derek Minter? Seems he was Mike's toughest rival when they were both younger, before he left the sport. I wonder how much Mike's battles with Minter played a part in turning Mike into the great rider he became by the mid-60s......

  • I really like Mike, but Ago is my hero.

  • Hailwood was great, but Giacomo is the best ever.

  • two of the best ever . without a doubt

  • PREGO! sono contento che la storia della moto interessi così tanta gente!

  • GRAZIE...

  • Ago was a great rider without doubt.

    But my loyalty was with SMB Hailwood.

  • shame about the eyeteye babble over the top of the beautiful music provide by the engines

  • Nice to actually See this. Dukevideo UK, among others, sells CD's of these races where the bikes do All of the talking. Highly recomended.

  • 1:09-1:17, the gods in full flight.

  • this is when riders won races not technology or the biggest budget!

    rip my childhood hero.Mike will ALWAYS be the best in my eyes!

  • I was there - brings it all back fantastic day

  • Peccato nel video non si veda quando Hailwood al momento della premiazione invita Ago sul gradino piu alto del podio dicendogli sinceramente che senza la rottura della catena il vincitore sarebbe stato lui...Un vero sportivo che non si può dimenticare.

  • Mike non voleva neanche salire sul podio, tanto era incavolato per la rottura del rivale... unico!!!!

  • A great race, remember it even now, we were watching from near Windy Corner, where Ago's chain broke.

  • @olemsford Was Ago leading the race when his chain broke?

  • Do you know I cannot remember, but I think Mike had already gone by, as I cannot remember him passing Ago as he pushed home. I may be wrong on this. You would have to look at the race reports. It was all very exciting, as this was the race we had been waiting for all week.

  • We were at the TT that week, but only Thursday to Thursday (saving money on ferry costs!), so missed the Senior on the Friday. Reading up about it, Ago was leading the race despite the fact that Mike had set a new lap record of 108.77mph on his second lap. Ago still lead when they made a pit stop and this increased after Mike had problems with a loose twist grip. Ago still lead the race up to the chain breaking on the MV. It must have been quite a feat to coast / push home from the mountain.

  • I believe that Mike started 30 seconds before Ago, thus could be leading on the road but not the race. Shame you had to leave the day before.

  • cant speak the lingo but great footage

  • 'Tecnico perfecta' indeed:)

  • lovely MV!

  • magnifica testimonianza di un duello epico!!!

  • I was there, although i was only four years of age, i went for the next six years with my dad and mom and have so many happy memories of the island.

    the golden years!

  • ago  and mike fantastico

  • love it, favs and 5's thanks for posting

  • I was there for the week's racing, in 1967! Watched this race, and all the others.. Those were the days!! Mike and Ago- both the very best and an epic battle..Later, Mike said his Honda felt like it had a giant hinge in the middle- but it had plenty of H.P.!! What a race! Miss you Mike....R.I.P.

  • was agostini catching hailwood before his chain broke..? he was also a great rider

  • Comment removed

  • Grandissimo Mike!

    Sfortunato Ago!

    2 immensi.

  • Se ci fosse la possibilita di tornare indietro nel tempo,bhee...credo proprio che una puntatina nel 1967 al TT la farei certamente; sarei seduto in uno dei miei posti preferiti nei pressi di Glen Helen. Che gara!!!

  • Magnifico! The TT was fabulous back then, (AND IT WAS IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP) todays over the counter version is dreary by comparison. Fast it is true, but the bikes are boring, and not very loud compared to the 60's either!!

  • Mike Hailwood, quite simply the Greatest ever.

  • Well done Mano, Excellent!!!!

  • THE great man.

    What a hero.

    S M B Hailwood MBE GM

  • questi video dovrebbero essere tramandati per sempre.

    Fantastico.

  • SUPER!!!!!!!!

    bellissimo video

  • sei un grande

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