The complete story of MV (Meccanica Verghera), that built its first motorcycle, a humble 98cc two-stroke, in 1945. The company expanded to include larger singles, twins, fours and sixes and for over 20 years MV dominated Grand Prix racing. Under the ownership of Cagiva a new era commenced in the 1980s, and this continues today.

With 75 World Championships (riders and manufacturers), 270 Grand Prix victories, and more than 3000 International race wins, MV Agusta's competition record is unequalled amongst Italian motorcycle manufacturers. MV's list of World Champions includes some of the greatest names in the sport, with Carlo Ubbiali, John Surtees, Mike Hailwood, Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read winning multiple times. Alongside the magnificent racing bikes MV produced a wide range of street models, including the exotic four-cylinder bikes based on the Grand Prix racers of the 1950s and early 1960s. After closing in 1977 MV Agusta was resurrected by Cagiva in 1997 and released the Massimo Tamburini-designed four-cylinder F4. Initially 750cc, this evolved into 1000cc and the Brutale series. In 2012 the three-cylinder F3 joined the F4 and a large range of models has grown from these two platforms. With a 50 year passion for Italian motorcycles, Ian Falloon tells the full story of MV Agusta, covering all the street and racing models from 1945.

• The complete story of MV Agusta: one of the most famous names in motorcycling
• MV Agusta dominated Grand Prix motorcycle racing for more than two decades
• Details the bikes that won a total of 37 World Championships
• A look at some of the most exotic four-cylinder production motorcycles of the 1960s and 1970s
• The Grand Prix machines that were ridden by Surtees, Hocking, Hailwood, Agostini and Read to multiple World Championships
• How Ubbiali and Provini provided MV Agusta with world titles in the 125 and 250cc classes
• Covers the small displacement motorcycles were produced alongside the exotic racing machines
• Details the closure of MV Agusta in 1977, and the subsequent resurrection by the Castiglionis in 1997
• A look at the new range of MV Agustas: the F4, built until 2011, and the release of the three-cylinder F3
• The influence of Count Domenico Agusta on the racing success of the company