PHILLIP WILLIAM READ died in England on 6 October, aged 83, surrounded by his family. A life-long smoker, he had not been in good health. Nor was he in a good financial space, his investments having turned sour.
But he was sharp of mind and ready with a joke when he caught up with fellow racers, including former teammate and opponent Giacomo Agostini two weeks earlier at a revival meeting in Assen.
Phoned by a fellow Italian Ale Magrini for a comment, Agostini said: “I’m honest, he wasn’t going to be loved. He was willing
