MOTORCYCLE Grand Prix racer Phil Read is reported to have contracted the COVID-19 virus, although the 81-year-old has now made a full recovery.
The eight-time Isle of Man TT winner and multiple Grand Prix champion is said to be in good health although still needing oxygen after contracting the Coronavirus.
Read already suffers with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the type of illness that makes COVID-19 such a dangerous illness, and makes Read’s recovery all the more amazing.
Read has now been released from Canterbury Hospital, and there are unconfirmed reports that Read was treated with anti-malarial drugs while in the hospital.
Speaking after getting home, he said:
“I just got out of Canterbury NHS hospital and got rid of this unspeakable virus! But, I still need oxygen for my lungs because I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). But I know from experience what will help me in this regard”.
Read raced in Grand Prix between the years of 1961 and 1976, competing for MV Agusta, Gilera, and Yamaha on the world’s stage. Read was a specialist at road racing events such as the Isle of Man TT (when it featured in the World Championship), contesting in 14 TT races, and collecting eight wins during that time.
Today, Read lives in Canterbury Kent, spending the summers visiting race tracks around Europe and demonstrating some of the motorcycles from his racing career.
Following the death of John Surtees on 10 March 2017, Read is now the oldest surviving 500cc/MotoGP World Champion.
We send our best regards to Phil and hope he and his family remain in good health.
