Leandro Becheroni, one of the best Italian private riders of the 500 class MotoGP championship of the 1980s, has passed away. He suffered a heart attack on Friday March 30 while in his restaurant “Gli Alberi” in Calenzano, and there he was found lying on the ground with probable head trauma.
He was 73 years old
He was born in Calenzano on July 13, 1950, he was 73 years old and from 1982 to 1986 he had raced in the top category of the world championship, first with a Suzuki RGB and then with a Honda RS. However, he had made his debut earlier in the World Championship: after winning the Italian Junior 500 class championship in 1977 astride a Suzuki-Bimota, the following year he was fielded by the OECE team alongside Graziano Rossi, raced the Venezuelan GP and cut the finish in seventh place. He obtained the same placement in 1984 at the San Marino GP, and his were his best results in the championship series.
Private at his own expense
Becheroni was going strong, but he has always raced privately and had to fend for himself by paying from his own pocket. He preferred big engines: in 1979 he won the Italian Senior Championship in the 750 GP class riding a a private Yamaha 750 OW31 that he still kept on display in the restaurant, a reminder of glorious times. He also conquered the European 500 class title in the first edition of the continental championship, in 1981, winning two of the three scheduled races AND finishing second in the other; Because of this he was awarded the silver medal for athletic valor by CONI. From 1987 Becheroni limited his participation in the Italian Championship, with some occasional appearances in the World Championship; the last one in 1988 at the GP of Nations.
Nice, outgoing and generous, he was very popular in the paddock and fellow pilots frequently passed by his restaurant. Not only the Italians: the great Barry Sheene also came, with his BS 7 registered Rolls-Royce and chauffeur.
A little boy from Calenzano who Leandro helped in his first steps as a rider also went to see him often: Alessandro Gramigni would become 125cc world champion. On his facebook profile he greeted him like this:
“Hi Bek you will make me think of you more than I have until today
You leave with my childhood when you replaced my dad’s temporary absence, you leave with my world cup and with your shrewd advice like you.
Thank you for everything you have done for me and for my family, thank you also for making me feel so bad, so I will show you one last time how great my esteem and love for you is.
A big hug, Gram”.
Alessandro Gramigni on the left and Leandro Becheroni on the right
