Giacomo Agostini, one of the greatest motorcycle racers of all time, is the subject of ‘Ago’, a new Netflix documentary which focuses on a career which saw him win world championship titles an astonishing 15 times.

The film was previewed, with Ago himself in attendance, at Varese, Italy on 6th March, an event organised by MV Agusta. The MV connection is a significant one, since the legendary racer won countless events on the Italian multi-cylinder racers, against the likes of Mike Hailwood and Paul Smart. Across his career, Agostini took 123 victories including ten TTs. MV is keen to celebrate its link with Ago, as it nears its own 80th anniversary.

It’s a piece of positive news for the company, whose move to leave the KTM umbrella has hit a snag. Currently, MV is 50.1% owned by KTM, but the Austrian concern’s financial woes have pushed it to sell its controlling share of MV back to the Sardarov family, which owns the rest of the company. Whatever the corporate shenanigans, we suspect that most motorcyclists will be more interested in watching Ago, which will be available to stream from 17th March.

Jim Freeman, chair of the BMF said, “I’ve made a note of the date. Ago was huge when I was growing up as a motorcyclist, comparisons are unfair, different times, different challenges, but he was like Rossi squared for several generations of riders. MV? I wish them well, they should keep better company! ”

Written by Peter Henshaw

Top image courtesy of Barry O’Mahony Photography