Duilio Agostini

Duilio Agostini was born to a well off family that owned the hotel restaurant Al Porto, now known as the Giardinetto, at Mandello del Lario on the shores of Lake Como; Guests included many important personalities linked to motorcycling, such as Omobono Tenni, Stanley Woods, Terzo Bandini, Primo Moretti and Ugo Prini.

Duilio worked for Moto Guzzi first in the customer service department, and finally, in 1947, as the official test rider alongside of Engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano.

His first race, which he won, was at Asola, Lombardy riding a borrowed Condor 500. From that moment his racing career began and he gained many podium positions and victories. In 1953 he won first overall in the Milano-Taranto on a Moto Guzzi Dondolino. That year he also won the Italian Championship in the Second Category of the 500cc class. In 1954 he became an official Moto Guzzi rider both in the 250cc class and in the 350 class, as they used to do in those days, with the Bialbero (twin cam). That year he was victorious winning the Italian 250cc Seniors (Campionato Italiano Seniores).

Whilst at the 1955 Isle of Man TT he met an Australian, Margaret Ward, who later became his wife. They had two daughters Alis, born in 1957, and Lindy, born in 1962.

His best year was 1955 when he won the French motorcycle Grand Prix and ended the season in seventh place in the 350cc World Championship.

In 1957 Duilio retired from racing and devoted himself to his workshop and Moto Guzzi dealership in Mandello del Lario.

In the seventies he founded a team for endurance racing using the Moto Guzzi V7 Sport. The race development projects led to the manufacture of many special components that were later marketed by the dealership. In the 70's, together with a group of enthusiasts, formed a new motorcycle club, the Moto Club Carlo Guzzi, of which he was president for many years. Together with the club he organised the first international Moto Guzzi rallies in Mandello del Lario. The rallies were held every two years and giving rise to a tradition which continued over the years. The last rally organised by Duilio in collaboration with the Moto Club took place in September 1989.

In 1993 he retired from the dealership leaving it totally in the hands of his daughter Alis who already managed it from 1981, initially with her sister Lindy. After a life dedicated to the brand of Mandello he died April 12, 2008, following a serious illness.