Fans at the Dutch GP got an extra treat this weekend as Giacomo Agostini was in attendance to help celebrate the 80th edition of the historic Dutch TT. Agostini did a parade lap of the circuit on his 1975 YZR500 OW23 – this was the bike that Agostini won his last ever world title on in 1975 and also the Dutch TT in 1974.

Agostini also did a parade lap on a YZR-M1 decked out in Fiat Yamaha Team colours but with Agostini’s famous Number One stickers.

Agostini said:
“It’s a double pleasure and honour for to be here at Assen on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Dutch TT. First of all, I was honoured to be invited by the TT for this important occasion and secondly I am very excited to celebrate this event riding for Yamaha, to whom I gave a first world title in the 500cc series. I have a beautiful memory of this TT race and of these fans. I remember that when I used to ride here, many years ago, there were 160,000 fans all around the track. Unbelievable! Tomorrow I will have the chance to ride the “past” and the “present;” the first and the latest world champion bikes. My OW23 was like a bicycle with 120bhp, but used to get power at 6000rpm…whilst the M1 has 240bhp! When you ride the M1 for the first time, it seems that it’s very easy: engine, gear, brakes, it seems that it does everything itself, but then when you open the throttle you discover its power and you realize how difficult it is to control such a force!”

Check out the photos and video of Giacomo Agostini on the YZR-M1 and his YZR500 OW23 at Assen:
Interview with Agostini:

Agostini and Lorenzo:

Agostini and the Yamahas (a good name for a band!):

Agostini unveils the YZR500 OW23

Meet the Yamahas:

Agostini leathers up:

Agostini On Track at Assen:

Agostini and Yamaha:

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