Born in Luton, England in 1939, this smiling and elegant rider who was a lover of luxury (he went to the tracks with his white Rolls) practically closed the glorious MV world championship cycle. MV signed him in 1972, after he had already won five world titles with Yamaha, not only because of his class and experience, but also owing to his disposition. He was combative and meticulous, and impatient of secondary roles.

It was precisely this aspect that made him an interesting stimulus for Agostini, who was anything but in unprepared, but who was too fearful of the Japanese offensive. Read raced in 1972 with the 350, getting good results, and in 1973 with the 500 where, with full leeway, he was able to capture the title with "Ago" coming in only third. He was left MV's only leading man in 1974 and confined himself to just the top class, winning the title again without much difficulty. That was the last world trophy for the Cascina Costa manufacturer.