1:28 AM
Admin
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Via the Great website : www.vintageworksbikes.com
Featured here are Ake Jonsson’s 1972 Trans AMA Maico and his 1972 GP
Maico. Both bikes in Sweden.
Maico. Both bikes in Sweden.
Ake Jonsson began his career in Sweden riding for the Husqvarna Factory
Team. Back in those days, there were no Husqvarna dealers so riders
sponsored by Husqvarna dealt directly with the factory. Getting factory support
proved difficult for Ake, being over shadowed by World Champion’s Bengt
Aberg and Torsten Hallman. After finishing third in the 1968 500cc World
Championship, Ake was hired by the Maico Factory Team.
1970 was a tough year for Ake and Maico. Despite the seemingly constant
mechanical problems, Ake managed to once again finish third in the 500cc
World Championship. Going into the final World Championship race in 1971,
Ake had a slight lead over Suzuki’s Roger DeCoster. While leading the race,
Ake suffered mechanical issues with his Maico and ultimately lost the title to
DeCoster. Ake went on to dominate in the 1972 Trans-AMA held in the United
States, winning nine straight races and the title!
Ake moved to Team Yamaha in 1973. Mechanical issues kept him from
repeating his performance of 1972. He retired from motocross a few years later.
Ake remains in Sweden today and recently retired from running his very
successful Yamaha dealership.
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