"Everything is perfect: the frame, the tires, the brakes, everything," he continued. "The carbon brakes are incredible: You just touch and decelerate so much. Shifting is almost automatic-full-throttle upshifts and just the clutch, no throttle, on downshifts. And the speed! At the end of the straight is maybe 40 kilometers per hour (25 mph) faster than the MV."
The on-board data acquisition revealed that Ago had in fact surpassed 300 kph (186 mph) on the front straight, while Guareschi had touched 320 (198 mph). This in spite of relatively short gearing, as the team was headed directly to Valencia for the traditional end-ofseason test. One technician speculated that had the Desmosedici been geared for Monza, it would likely have gone 340 kph (210 mph).
And just like that, our day was over. Ago pulled off his trademark Dainese leathers,pulled on a yellow sweater and led the march to the paddock restaurant for lunch. This was Italy, after all. And while what we had witnessed was indeed history-making, for Giacomo Agostini it was just another test session at Monza.
Poetry in motion: If ever...
Poetry in motion: If ever there was a classic roadracing silhouette, it's Agostini aboard an MV.