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Farewell to Ken Kavanagh, first Australian on the podium of a Grand Prix

He died at the age of 96 in Bergamo, where he lived, predecessor to Gardner's, Doohan's, and Stoner's successes

News: Farewell to Ken Kavanagh, first Australian on the podium of a Grand Prix

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Ken Kavanagh died November 26th at the age of 96 in Bergamo, where he lived. He was the first Australian rider to win a race in the world championship in the 350 at the GP in Ulster in 1952.

 

He was an official Moto Guzzi rider and won the Belgian GP in 1954, the Dutch GP in 1955, and the Junior TT in 1956 with Mandello's bike.

 

Kavanagh made his debut in the legendary "8-cylinder" Shell Gold Cup at Imola.
The following year, he transferred to MV Agusta, then left motorcycling to move on to the F1, where he raced with Maserati.

In 1959, he returned to two-wheel racing in 1959 in the 125 with a Ducati and in the 500 with a Norton.

He won 5 Grand Prix races and got on the podium 24 times.

 

Translated by Leila Myftija
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