Racing legend Phil Read dies aged 83.

British racer and ‘MotoGP Legend’ Phil Read has passed away peacefully overnight at the age of 83. Read, a seven-times Grand Prix Road Racing World Champion, competed in the world championship from 1961 to 1976.

He was the first rider to win the 125cc, 250cc and 500cc titles, and was also an eight-time winner at the Isle of Man TT. In 1964 he became Yamaha’s first world champion and won a total of five championships with Yamaha and two with MV Agusta.

A Yamaha statement on Read’s passing said: “The Yamaha Racing family is incredibly saddened by the news that Phil Read MBE, Yamaha’s first-ever road racing World Champion, passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in Canterbury, England this morning… Everyone at Yamaha offers their sincere condolences to Phil’s family and friends.”

Dean Mellor
PHOTGRAPHY // A.HERL