Copyright Jan Burgers printed on 250gsm Kodak paper
 
Phil Read's victory at Anderstorp all but clinched his historic world 500cc championship victory over Giacomo Agostini (right) bringing an end to the Italian's seven-year domination of the crown. Read was in his first year with MV Agusta, and as accomplished as he was, few thought he could challenge teammate Ago. When Read began his march to the title with two wins to Agostini's none after seven rounds, the English motorcycle press began stirring the pot fuelled by a supposed war of words between the pair. Under the MCN headline 'Needle Match', Ago responded to an apparent jibe from the Prince of Speed, "This is just more cheek from Mr Read." Agostini finished third overall with three wins to Read's four. Runner-up Kim Newcombe (left) briefly led the championship after his win in the Yugoslav Grand Prix in the absence of MV Agusta at Opatija.