Throwback Thursday: The Italian Break
Larry Lawrence | July 12, 2018
Throwback Thursday: The Italian Break
In this week’s Throwback we go back 36 years to see Italian riders Franco Uncini (leading) and Marco Lucchinelli battle at the 1982 Austrian 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Salzburgring. From 1978 to 1993 American riders dominated 500cc Grand Prix racing, winning 13 of the 16 world titles during that stretch. That dominance might have been even more complete had it not been for this pair of Italians. Lucchinelli edged out Randy Mamola to win the 1981 championship. Then in ’82 Uncini came out of nowhere to claim the ’82 title. Uncini went on to win this particular race after being challenged by his countryman until the next to last lap when Lucchinelli crashed out giving Uncini the uncontested victory. It was his first win in the premier class.
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