Grand Prix motorcycle racer, Gilberto Parlotti was born in Zero Branco, Treviso, Italy in 1940.
He entered the Grand Prix scene in 1969 and raced lightweight machines (50cc, 125cc and 250cc) for Benelli, Derbi, Morbidelli and Tomos during his career.
Parlotti’s legacy is not so much for his racing career (he reached the top step of the podium three times and achieved a best championship ranking of 6th) but for his friendship with Giacomo Agostini, and the circumstances of his death.
Angel Nieto was the man to beat in 1972. Parlotti had an excellent start to the season, winning the first two races in the 125cc class and reaching the podium next two. He decided to race at the Isle of Man to take advantage of Angel’s absence from that round and extend his lead in the championship
On his second lap, Gilberto crashed his 125cc Morbidelli motorcycle in heavy rain at the Verandah section on the A18 Mountain Road and died from his injuries.
His close friend, Giacomo Agostini, contested and won the 500cc race later that day but, overcome with grief, declared that he would never race on the Island again and would do everything in his power to have the TT removed from the GP calendar. He was supported by the MV Agusta factory.
At the time, the Isle of Man TT was the most prestigious race on the World Championship calendar. Other top riders soon joined his boycott of the event and by 1976, the event was permanently dropped from the Grand Prix championship schedule.
