Umberto Masetti was born in 1926, into a family situation steeped in motorcycling. During the early 1930s his father, Nello rode for the emerging Gilera concern. He was also agent for Gilera, so it was inevitable that Umberto would make his debut on one. Young Masetti showed such early promise that he was offered works rides with the rival Parilla factory. However his involvement with them proved to be fleeting.
Gilera Connection
Count Guiseppe Gilera was not impressed to see a Gilera agent’s son involved with a rival concern. As a result he was promptly offered a Gilera Saturno for the 1949 season. Masetti was involved in the smaller categories as well; earning rides with Morini, and also as No,2 to Dario Ambrosini in the Benelli team. At the 125cc Italian Grand Prix at Monza he was placed second on the Morini.
1950 Season
If Masetti’s 1949 season was rather low key, then 1950 was quite the reverse. He gained full factory support in the Gilera squad; partnering the experienced Nello Pagani and the sometimes unpredictable Carlo Bandirola. In theory, such a team would be unbeatable, given the speed advantage of the Gilera fours over their main rivals, Norton and AJS. However, there was a new star recently arrived on the Grand Prix scene. This phenomenon was Norton’s new recruit, the remarkable Geoff Duke. In his first international Isle of Man appearance he won the Senior in breathtaking style; smashing the 1938 lap record in the process.
World Champion 1950
Spa was the venue for a major confrontation between the teams. In the Belgian Grand Prix, Duke was poised for victory in the 500cc event, until tyre failure caused his retirement. As a result, Masetti gained first place with Pagani second. At the Dutch TT there was an identical result, with Duke again hamstrung with tyre problems while in the lead. Following Masetti’s second place at the Swiss Grand Prix and Duke’s Ulster victory, the World Championship was evenly poised between the two. Monza was the arena for the season finale, the Italian Grand Prix. To claim the title, Duke needed to win and Masetti to finish no higher than third. In fact Duke scored an emphatic win; but with Masetti finishing second he was declared 1950 World Champion by a single point.
World Champion 1952
Masetti’s efforts to retain the title in 1951 were thwarted by injury and Duke’s peerless form. Despite Norton’s speed inferiority Duke won both the 350 and 500cc championships. By 1952 Norton’s speed handicap was too much even for Duke to overcome; with the championship going once more to Masetti. Reg Armstrong held a slender lead in the early stages of the championship but was bedevilled with a series of chain failures that eventually put him out of contention. Masetti’s championship was no hollow victory; following wins at the Belgian Grand, Dutch TT plus two second places at the Italian and Spanish Grands Prix behind 1949 champion Les Graham; this time on an MV.
MV Connection
In 1953 Duke was signed for Gilera; with ex-champion Masetti relegated as back-up rider to Duke. Masetti saw this as a betrayal; a situation that was further soured when Duke went on to win three consecutive championships for Gilera. Masetti was understandably disenchanted with his Gilera situation; and in 1955 he moved to their arch-rival, MV Agusta. His tenure with MV was relatively brief; however at the 1955 Italian Grand Prix at Monza Masetti scored a satisfying win over the entire Gilera squad.
A Career Ends
John Surtees joined MV in 1956; and as a consequence Masetti was again reduced to being a support rider. He persevered in the Grand Prix arena with various manufacturers until his retirement in 1964. Umberto Masetti is remembered in his native Italy as; ‘being good with the ladies, the cards and the jokes but not so good for business’. Whatever Masetti’s social shortcomings, none could refute those two World Championships; bravely won in an era of fierce competition.
Murray McLeod - Murray has maintained an involvement in the arts for many years and for a time he operated his own gallery at Mt., Tamborine overlooking ...
Join the Conversation