MV Agusta back on the podium after 38 years

MV AGUSTA has won a world championship race 38 years after their last success.

Achieved by Giacomo Agostini on his four-cylinder 350cc bike at the Nurburgring, 1976 was the last time MV stood on the podium.

The recent win was secured by French rider Jules Cluzel on his F3 675 at Phillip Island circuit to take the first round of this year’s World Supersport Championship.

Despite starting from 14th position on the grid, the Yakhnich Motorsport team rider worked his way up the field and made it past Coghlan and De Rosa to take the win.

Speaking of the win, Cluzel said: “We were terribly unlucky both during testing and at the start of the weekend. We rode far fewer laps than we should have. So, after that, going on to win was just a dream!

“Before the start I told my mechanics I’d do my utmost: and that’s exactly what I did, without making a single mistake. It’s a deserved victory; we’ve still got a long way to go but we’re convinced that the bike and the Team have huge potential”.

Giovanni Castiglioni, President of MV Agusta, said: “A marvellous win, an indescribable thrill. I want to dedicate this first victory to my father, whose faith in MV and the possibility of a successful return to racing was always unshakeable, and the late father of Brian Gillen, our Reparto Corse manager.

“I want to thank the Yakhnich Motorsport team and everyone involved in this ambitious project for their exemplary commitment”.

MV Agusta’s effort in the Superbike championship was less successful but still 'encouraging', according to MV. Riding the F4 RR, Claudio Corti finished the two races in 13th and 18th position.