Phil Read

MotoGP: GALLERY - Champions of the past like Gardner, Spencer and Schwantz, of the present like Mir, and many insiders wanted to remember the Prince of ...

Phil Read passed away in his sleep, in peace, after a life always lived on the limiter. "Your legacy will live forever" wrote his chief mechanic Ferry Brower, while Livio Lodi, curator of the Ducati Museum, recalled how the Briton was the first to score points in the premier class on a Ducati. Phil Read has left a mark in the history of motorcycling that no one will ever be able to erase.

Phil Read, the first person to win world championships in the 125cc, 250cc, and 500cc classes of motorcycle racing, has died at the age of 83.

“A true character on and off the track, Phil will be missed by all that knew and met him. He also went on to secure back-to-back 500cc title wins in 1973 and 1974. Phil won his first title in 1964 and then followed it up with another 250 championship the following year.

One of Britain's most successful motorbike racers has died at his home in Kent, aged 83.

He was the first to claim a world crown under such circumstances. In the wake of that decision, Phil was never offered a permanent spot in the team again. He was signed by Yamaha nine years later, winning his 250cc first world championship in the same year. During a Grand Prix career spanning 15 years, he raced at a time of great change in the motorbiking world, winning world championships on both two-stroke and four-stroke bikes. “Often a controversial and outspoken figure, his prolific racing career included 52 FIM Prix wins and eight wins at the iconic Isle of Man TT Races. By the end of his distinguished Grand Prix career, he had become the first to ever win world championships across the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes.

The dad-of-five died in his sleep as the world of motorsport has paid tribute.

In 2002 he was granted the status of 'MotoGP Legend' by Dorna. Luton-born Phil Read competed in Grand Prix motorcycling racing from 1961 to 1976. Tributes have been paid following the death of British sporting legend Phil Read.

Tributes have poured in for seven-time motorcycle GP world champion Phil Read.

Dave Elliott wrote: "RIP Phil Read a wonderful ambassador for our sport. He is notable for being the first competitor to win world championships in the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes. The news was announced in a statement from the Read family. In 2002 he was granted the status of 'MotoGP Legend' by Dorna.](http://) Often a controversial and outspoken figure, his prolific racing career included 52 FIM Grand Prix wins and eight wins at the iconic Isle of Man TT Races. Tributes have been paid following the death of British sporting legend Phil Read.

Motorcycle racing legend Phil Read MBE has died at the age of 83. The seven-time FIM Grand Prix champion passed away peacefully in his sleep at his ...

In 2002 he was granted the status of “MotoGP Legend" by Dorna. In 2013, Phil was named an FIM Legend for his impressive motorcycling achievements. He is best known for competing in Grand Prix motorcycle racing between 1961 and 1976. Motorcycle racing legend Phil Read MBE has died at the age of 83. A statement from the Read family reads: “It is with incredible sadness that the Read family reports the passing of Phil Read MBE while peacefully asleep on the morning of October 6th, 2022, at his home in Canterbury, England. The seven-time FIM Grand Prix champion passed away peacefully in his sleep at his

Britain's second most successful grand prix racer of all time has died, aged 83. Phil Read was one of the fastest, bravest motorcycle racers of all time, ...

He said come down to the bar and we shared a couple of bottles of champagne with friends.” He made a lot of money and lost a lot of money. And I had to pay for my own ferry, hotel, everything, so even if I won a race or two the Isle of Man still cost me money. Read’s decision to turn his back on the TT was hugely unpopular with British fans, who gave him a rough reception on his return. Usually the engineers stood in the pits and the bikes would flash by and look wonderful. “I felt it go and had the clutch in before it locked the rear wheel and sent me flying. “We were busy on the bikes and it was hard work – a 1000rpm powerband, about 350rpm between gears, shifting all the time. I remember during testing in Japan, Bill and I took some Yamaha engineers out to a certain section of the Suzuka circuit to see how the bikes handled. At one meeting it got a bit hectic, lingerie flying out of the window…” After he’d thumbed his nose at me he came up the inside of me into the hairpin, shoved me out and out, until I was high and dry, then cleared off.” He wore rockstar shades and fur-coats, lived in mansions in London’s stockbroker belt, drove a Rolls-Royce, flew his own private plane, spent his winters skiing in the Alps and water-skiing in Hawaii and had a string of glamorous wives and girlfriends. Read was a tough competitor, possibly the toughest of all time.