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#5 Phil Read
The oldest surviving MotoGP World Champion as of date is Phil Read. A multi-talented personality, Read enjoyed considerable success in Motorcycle Racing as well as Endurance Racing - most notably competing and winning at the Thruxton 500 endurance race in 1962 and 1963. He made his competitive debut at the 350cc level at the Isle of Man TT race in 1961.
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In 1964, he won the 250cc World Championship as a rider of Team Yamaha. He would repeat this feat in 1965, 1968 and 1971. In 1968, he would also win the 125cc World Championship.
His crowning moment would come in 1973 when he was a member of Team Agusta MV. By winning the 500cc World Championship, he made history by becoming the first man to win at least 1 Championship across 3 different categories - 125cc, 250cc and 500cc classes.
He would successfully defend his title in 1974. Out of 152 starts, Read won 52 races and stood on the podium a remarkable 121 times.
