Only one rider in the history of the premier class has shared a birthday with Christmas Day, and that was once attempted by Giacomo Agostini, the remarkable 15-time world champion.
Giacomo Agostini He is widely regarded as the greatest rider in Grand Prix history. In the year Competing in the 1960s and 1970s, his 15 titles were spread across the 350cc and 500cc classes, and he often won multiple titles in the same calendar year.
The partnership between Agostini and MV Agusta dates back to the sport’s scariest and most dangerous era.
The Italian has won all but two of the titles with the legendary manufacturer, amassing 122 Grand Prix victories over a 15-year career. There weren’t many competitors to stop his continued dominance.
In the year In 1970, Ginger Molloy, a New Zealander who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Christmas Day last year, was the latest candidate.
Ginger Molloy beat Giacomo Agostini for the 1970 500cc World Cup.
To the year The Italian had not lost a single race since the close of the 1967 season, showing just how incredibly dominant he was.
Molloy, meanwhile, had not won a race since the 1966 350cc Ulster Grand Prix. In a 2016 interview with Australian Motorcycle NewsMolloy recalled seeing himself in the newspapers the next day, saying, “I won the 1966 Ulster 250cc Grand Prix.
“I remember Motorcycle or Motorcycle News had ‘Bultaco Fairytale Win’, front page with a big photo of Tommy Robb. And a small photo inside ‘Ginger Molloy wins Ulster Grand Prix fast’.”
Unfortunately, the win in Northern Ireland would be the only Grand Prix win of his career. Agostini would go on to dominate the world of two-wheeled racing, winning every race that year.
Molloy finished the season as the runner-up, a career-best finish to the season. During the interview, he described the season as ‘magic’, highlighting the limitations of the Kawasaki machinery he was racing against.
He said: “He blew the carburetor in the middle on the Opatija going up the hill! So the ignition was firing badly. One day it would drive fine, the next day it wouldn’t go.”
“It was a great year, a magical year. In Finland, a new Krober ignition was installed. We camped in small holes on the side of the road, and we had to find the machine and ignite it.
“We went in time for practice and the bike was very responsive and a completely different bike!”
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Ginger Molloy was described by his rivals as ‘a very experienced and beautiful rider’.
Molloy was a huge part of New Zealand road racing, and has never been praised for his response to two wheels.
John Woodley, who was Molloy’s rival in his first season, now 87, has spoken of how he can get ahead of him in high-speed battles.
He recalled, “When I had one, he had a (Yamaha) TZ350, but he was often miles ahead.
“I remember seeing Ginger racing on a Kawasaki H1R at Wigram in the white leather sweepers and it was really nice and smooth.”
According to Woodley, one of Molloy’s best attributes was his aggressive riding style, adding, “I really like that he’s very strong on the track.
“He was a tough guy to race against, and he gave no quarter. He was a very experienced and beautiful rider.”
