Phil Read, Britain's new 500 c.c. world motorcycle champion, on Sunday (28 October 1973) scored a decisive victory over his top opponent, Giacomo Agostini of Italy. He stormed round the 10 laps of the Brands Hatch circuit to win the Shellsport 500 c.c. Championship in 17 minutes 29.4 seconds, at an average speed of 90.91 m.p.h. (146.3 k.p.h.).

Read and Agostini both race for Italy's M.V. Augusta squad and an keen rivalry is known to exist between them. Agostini led for the first lap, but was overtaken by Read, and then by three other riders. He finally pulled out of the race three laps from the end, when trailing badly with engine trouble. Agostini, who has attributed the loss of his 500 c.c. title to a leg injury, said he was taking part in the contest against doctor's orders. But he had the consolation of winning the race for 350 c.c. machines, the class in which he retains world championship status.

Read, who had earlier won the 1,000 c.c. race, was hard pressed at the finish of the 500 c.c. by fellow-Briton Barry Sheene, riding a Suzuki. The champion finally pulled away to cross the line more than a second ahead, with Sheene securing runner's-up position.