Libero Liberati

Libero Liberati (20 September 1926 – 5 March 1962) was an Italian professional motorcycle road racer. He competed in the FIM Grand Prix motorcycle racing world championships from 1952 to 1959, most prominently as a member of the Gilera factory racing team where he won the 500cc world championships.

Liberati was born in Terni. He became famous in his country, winning the Italian championship in 1948. Two years later Moto Guzzi called him to race in the 500cc World Championship, where he took part in a single race. The same happened the following year with Gilera. Liberati scored his first points in the World Championship in 1953, and his first race victory came in 1956 in the 350cc class. Gilera's Liberati (28) and Geoff Duke negotiate La Curva Grande at Monza during the 1956 Nations Grand Prix. In 1957, Liberati won the 500cc World Championship, scoring a total of four victories. He also won a race in the 350cc class. However, at the end of the season, a dispute with the Gilera factory left him without a ride. Two years later Moto Morini gave him the opportunity to race again, this time in the 250cc class.

On 5 March 1962, Liberati died from an accident during a training session on the , violently hitting his head after slipping on the wet road.

Motorcycle Grand Prix results Source: Points system from 1950 to 1968 Position Points182634435261

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Class Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Points Rank Wins 1952 500cc Gilera SUI7 IOM- NED8 BEL- GER- ULS- NAT8 ESP- 0 — 0 1953 500cc Gilera IOM- NED- BEL- GER- FRA- ULS- SUI- NAT3 ESP- 4 12th 0 1955 500cc Gilera ESP- FRA2 IOM- GER- BEL- NED- ULS- NAT- 6 7th 0 1956 350cc Gilera IOM- NED- BEL- GER- ULS- NAT1 8 7th 1 500cc Gilera IOM- NED- BEL- GER- ULS- NAT2 6 8th 0 1957 350cc Gilera GER1 IOM- NED3 BEL2 ULS3 NAT3 22 2nd 1 500cc Gilera GER1 IOM- NED2 BEL1 ULS1 NAT1 32 1st 4 1959 250cc Moto Morini IOM- GER4 NED- BEL- SWE- ULS- NAT- 3 12th 0