Ducati’s 1971 500GP V-Twin Desmo
Words and photographs: Phil Aynsley
With just five Ducati 500GP V-twins of this era built, you could argue that what we have here is one of the most exclusive motorcycles ever made. And you’d be right.
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Phil Read was one of only four riders to swing a leg over this motorcycle but even Read couldn’t bag a win on it in the premier class.
That honour fell to Gilberto Parlotti who took it to the top of the podium in May of 1971 (although, to be fair, that was a non-championship race in Yugoslavia and not a full GP outing).
Read more and view more images in the September/October 2019 issue of CR – on sale now!
