Giacomo Agostini celebrates his 78th birthday today (June 16) so there’s no better time to reflect on the Italian’s illustrious career.
Thanks to Mortons Archive, here’s a collection of rare photographs chronicling a career which saw him win a record 15 world championships and 122 motorcycle grand prix.
![img_020504856950-1 1965 350 TT Isle of Man Phil Read leads Giacomo Agostini on MV.](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_020504856950-1.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_021137735597 Senior TT 1965, first lap Giacomo Agostini on the works MV Agusta at the Creg](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_021137735597.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_021624445634 Giacomo Agostini on a 350cc MV3 at Mallory Park in September 1966](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_021624445634.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_021820629570 Giacomo Agostini chooses a seat for his 350SS, at the 1966 motorcycle show.](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_021820629570.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_022021219634 Ready for the off on the start line of the 1967 Senior TT, Agostini.](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_022021219634.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_022313401904 1967 Senior TT - Giacomo Agostini 500 MV Agusta-3 at Bray Hill](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_022313401904.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_022617286944 1967 Ulster GP - 1 Ralph Bryans 297cc Honda 6 - 9 Giacomo Agostini 350cc MV 3](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_022617286944.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_022858719520](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_022858719520.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_023302821453 The ultimate and imperious pairing, Giacomo Agostini and the MV Agusta. This is a 350cc version, at the 1968 Ulster GP.](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_023302821453.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_024910291966 Images used by Lewis Leathers - Giacomo Agostini chats with Mike Hailwood (seated No. 1) on a 500cc Seeley, No. 44 Ken Redfern (745 Domiracer), No. 22 John Cooper (500cc Seeley) at Mallory Park 21st September 1969](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_024910291966.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)
![img_025151505812 Surely one of the most iconic TT shots, captured by the camera of Nick Nicholls, Italian legend Giacomo Agostini crests the rise at the foot of bray Hill which was forever after know as Ago's Leap.](https://b1944490.smushcdn.com/1944490/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2023/09/img_025151505812.jpg?lossy=2&strip=1&webp=1)