The legendary MV Agusta name is set to make its competitive return to the Isle of Man TT Races in 2012 with the World Performance Racing team in association with Chorley-based Moto GB.
With 33 TT race wins to its name and a total of 61 podiums between 1952 and 1972 the team will have a lot to live up to.
Neil Haslam, Team Boss, World Performance Racing commented: “World Performance Racing represents a passion for motorcycle racing and the desire to bring MV Agusta, the iconic motorcycle brand with a unique heritage, to the celebrated Isle of Man TT races in 2012. We aim to restore MV Agusta back to winning ways and ensure that the 2012 TT will be another chapter in this great Italian's brand's history.”
The iconic brand has been ridden to success by some of the motorcycling's greatest names including the most successful MV Agusta rider Giacamo Agostini with 10 wins to his name, 6 wins by John Surtees, 5 wins for Carlo Ubbiali, 4 for Mike Hailwood and 3 for Tarquinio Provini. Other race winners include Gary Hocking (2 wins), John Hartle, Bill Lomas, Cecil Sandford and Les Graham
The last high profile appearance for the MV Augusta at the TT was in 2007 which saw the late Martin Finnegan take fourth place in the Superstock TT race lapping at 125.685mph.
Paul Phillips, TT and Motorsport Development Manager, added: “MV Agusta is one of the truly iconic names in the TT's history and I'm sure many fans will be eager to see the much anticipated return of a factory supported outfit. I'm really pleased that we will see yet another factory backed outfit at next year's TT and it is further confirmation of the event's growing strength and appeal.”