MIKE HAILWOOD'S

On June 16, 1961 Michael Hailwood had one of the most important breakfasts of his career. At the hotel on the Isle of Man, over a full English, Stan and Michael discussed tactics for the looming 1961 Senior TT. Michael had already won two races that week, he was fastest in the 125cc and 250cc classes and only just missed winning the 350cc race after the crankpin broke on his AJS. Pitted against the Senior, however, that was small fry. The Senior was the race that mattered.

But there were enormous challenges, including Gary Hocking and his four-cylinder MV Agusta. In 1961, Hocking was one of the world’s fastest riders and this, combined with his powerful and super exotic MV Agusta, made him a fierce opponent.

And that was the discussion at the breakfast table: how could Michael gain time on Gary Hocking’s ‘big MV’.

Mike, speaking in , which he co-wrote with Ted Macauley, said: “We realised that my