CYCLISTS AT CAMP SITE; CYCLE REPAIRS; RIDERS PRACTISING FOR INTERNATIONAL SOLO AND SIDECAR EVENTS.




Initials GL/VS/MR/BB


SPORT: MOTORCYCLING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE WORLD'S TOP MOTORCYCLISTS HAVE BEEN PRACTISING ON THE GRUELLING MOUNTAIN CIRCUIT FOR THE ISLE OF MAN TOURIST TROPHY RACES WHICH START TOMORROW (SATURDAY) AND CONTINUE ALL NEXT WEEK.

THERE ARE SEVEN RACES THIS YEAR, ONE FEWER THAN IN 1968, AND 651 RIDES HAVE ENTERED. NOT ALL WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE, AS THE AUTO-CYCLE UNION HAS IMPOSED A LIMIT OF 100 RIDERS IN ANY ONE RACE, IN THE INTERESTS OF SAFETY.

CENTRE OF ATTENTION IS 26-YEAR-OLD GIACOMO AGOSTINI, ITALY'S REIGNING 350 AND 500 CC WORLD CHAMPION. HE WON BOTH THESE EVENTS IN THE ISLE OF MAN LAST YEAR, AND SEEMS ALL SET TO REPEAT HIS SUCCESS -- HE HAD THE FASTEST TIMES ON THURSDAY IN BOTH CLASSES ON HIS MV AGUSTA MACHINES.

BOTH THESE EVENTS ARE OVER SIX LAPS OF THE 371/2-MILE (60-KM) COURSE, THE JUNIOR (350) ON WEDNESDAY AND THE SENIOR (500) ON FRIDAY. THE OTHER RACES ARE 750CC AND 500CC SIDECAR 125CC AND 250 CC LIGHTWEIGHT, AND A PRODUCTION MACHINE RACE.

THE ISLE OF MAN T.T. RACES ARE A TRULY INTERNATIONAL CONTEST: 14 COUNTRIES ARE REPRESENTED IN THE PREMIER EVENT, THE SENIOR, AND MANY MORE IN THE OTHER RACES. GOOD WEATHER HAS PRODUCED FAST PRACTICE TIMES, AND THE ORGANISERS ARE FORECASTING HOT COMPETITION, STARTING TOMORROW (SATURDAY) WITH THE 750CC SIDECAR RACE.