One of the bravest riders in motorcycling history, he drew attention to himself in 1958 with Norton, above all on difficult courses and in extreme conditions. After leaving his home in Rhodesia, MZ signed him on in 1958 to ride its difficult and indomitable 250’s. The first podiums were not to be long awaited. He switched over to MV in 1960, and there he had the difficult job of riding back-up for Ubbiali in the 125 and 250 classes, and for Surtees in 350, and he succeeded in winning several international races. In 1961 he was left as the only MV rider with the 4-cylinder "Privat", and took the double World Championship title in the 350 and 500 classes. At the end of the season Hailwood joined him, and from that time on they shared the highest steps on the podiums of the two classes. However, owing to the death of a friend and colleague at the TT and his unexpected fascination with cars, in 1962 he left the World scene and met with a tragic death in South Africa during practice of a car race.