Fifty years ago, Barry Sheene achieved one of the most defining victories in Grand Prix motorcycle racing history, securing his first-ever 500cc Grand Prix win — a result that would reshape his career and set the foundations for back-to-back world championships.
The victory came just months after Sheene’s near-fatal crash at Daytona, a recovery that made the achievement all the more remarkable. Far from being a tentative return, the win announced Sheene as a true force in the premier class and signalled the beginning of his dominance during the 1976 and 1977 World Championship seasons.
At the heart of the story is Suzuki’s iconic RG500, a machine that would go on to win 49 Grand Prix races, claim four riders’ world championships, and secure seven consecutive manufacturers’ titles. The RG500 was not only Sheene’s weapon of choice but also became the bike that defined an era, widely used by privateers throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.
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Returning to full fitness after Daytona, Sheene quickly demonstrated his intent. At Assen, he eclipsed the great Giacomo Agostini in practice by taking pole position — a first in itself. During the race, Sheene showcased exceptional racecraft, repeatedly placing his Suzuki where it would force Agostini to defend rather than attack.
In a calculated tactical move, Sheene deliberately showed his front wheel on Agostini’s right-hand side approaching the final corner, encouraging the Italian to protect that line. The move worked perfectly. On the final lap, Sheene waited, switched sides, and passed Agostini on the left — exploiting the defensive line Agostini had committed to moments earlier.
Sheene’s superior corner exit speed allowed him to win the drag race to the line, crossing first in front of 150,000 fans, many of whom had travelled from the UK to witness what would become a legendary moment in British motorsport history.
The very bike that carried Sheene to that first 500cc victory — Suzuki RG500 chassis number G56-1026 — remains a treasured artefact. Owned at different times by collectors Steve Wheatman and Chris Wilson, it is now held by another enthusiast. Sheene himself rode the machine again at the Assen Centennial event in 1998, personally confirming its authenticity and signing the fuel tank — an endorsement few racing motorcycles can ever claim.
This victory was more than just a race win. It marked the moment Barry Sheene transitioned from prodigious talent to world champion in waiting — and secured his place among the greatest riders the sport has ever known.
This article first appeared in Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Magazine. To subscribe please visit https://www.classicmagazines.co.uk/classic-motorcycle-mechanics
