1971 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season
This article recaps the 1971 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.
Season summary
Giacomo Agostini would claim his tenth world championship in 1971, passing Carlo Ubbiali and Mike Hailwood as the all time championship leader. Angel Nieto challenged for the 50cc and 125cc titles. A crash in the final 50cc race handed the title to Dutchman Jan de Vries but Nieto was able to claim the 125 crown over a young Barry Sheene. Phil Read captured the 250 championship on a private Yamaha after falling out with the Yamaha factory.
Agostini won the 350 title for the fourth year in a row but a newcomer served notice when young Finn, Jarno Saarinen won his first Grand Prix at the Czechoslovakian round then won again in Italy. Agostini had things his way in the 500cc class, winning the first eight rounds of the eleven race series against minimal factory-sponsored opposition. The inaugural Austrian Grand Prix was held at the new high-speed Salzburgring.
500 cc Season review
| Round | Race | Location | Winning rider | Winning team | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Austrian Grand Prix
|
Salzburgring |  Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 2 |  West German Grand Prix
|
Hockenheimring | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 3 |  Isle of Man TT
|
Isle of Man | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 4 |  Dutch TT
|
Assen | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 5 |  Belgian Grand Prix
|
Spa | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 6 |  East German Grand Prix
|
Sachsenring | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 7 |  Swedish Grand Prix
|
Anderstorp | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 8 |  Finnish Grand Prix
|
Imatra | Giacomo Agostini
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 9 |  Ulster Grand Prix
|
Dundrod |  Jack Findlay
|
Suzuki | Report |
| 10 | Nations Grand Prix
|
Monza | Alberto Pagani
|
MV Agusta | Report |
| 11 |  Spanish Grand Prix
|
Jarama | Dave Simmonds
|
Kawasaki | Report |
