Franco Uncini
Franco Uncini ( born March 9, 1955 in Recanati (MC ), Italy ) is an Italian former motorcycle racer.
Uncini denied 1976-1985 a total of 104 races in the motorcycle world championship in 1982 and won the title in the 500 cc class.
Career
Uncini debuted in professional racing with Laverda in the 750 class. Later he moved to Ducati and won several Italian championships. First race in the 1976 World Cup played Uncini ³ with Yamaha in the classes to 250 and to 350 cm. During his Grand Prix debut race at the Grand Prix of Nations at Mugello Uncini came in the 250s not in the points, but pulled at the 350ern behind Johnny Cecotto second place. After another podium finish in Barcelona, he finished with only three races in the World Cup final results of the 350cc class in ninth place. The following year he won on Harley -Davidson in the 250cc class in Imola his first Grand Prix. After another win in Brno and a few podium finishes, he finished at the end of the season as runner - place behind Mario Lega. Uncini changed for 1978 because of disputes with his teammate Walter Villa back to Yamaha and finished the season with three podium finishes in the 250cc World Championship on the eighth rank. The 350ern he could get on the Salzburg ring a second place behind Kork Ballington.
In the season 1979 Uncini founded ³ to 500 cm with a used Suzuki a private team in the class. In the first race of the season he finished fourth and in Rijeka behind Kenny Roberts sr. Virginio Ferrari third. The World Cup, he finished as the best privateer in fifth place. In the 1980 season he achieved a second place as best result in three refusals because only eight races held - again as the best privateer - the fourth world rank.
The 1981 season was hampered by injuries, but after Marco Lucchinellis switch from Suzuki to Honda got Uncini for 1982 still a work contract with Suzuki offered. Uncini seized the opportunity and took five wins the world title before Graeme Crosby and Freddie Spencer.
In 1983 Uncini was seriously injured at Assen in a collision with Wayne Gardner and was in a coma, but recovered completely and ended his career after the season 1985. Nowadays Uncini has worked as a security officer of the IRTA in the Motorcycle World Championship.