Libero Liberati

Libero Liberati
Liberati racing in 1957
Nationality	Italian
Born	(1926-09-20)20 September 1926
Died	5 March 1962(1962-03-05) (aged 35) Terni, Italy
Motorcycle racing career statistics Grand Prix motorcycle racing Active years 1952–1953, 1955 – 1957, 1959 First race 1952 500cc Swiss Grand Prix Last race 1959 250cc West German Grand Prix First win 1956 350cc Nations Grand Prix Last win 1957 500cc Nations Grand Prix Team(s) Gilera, Morini Championships 500cc- 1957 Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points 15 6 14 N/A 3 741

Libero Liberati (20 September 1926 – 5 March 1962) was an Italian motorcycle racer and the 1957 500cc Grand Prix World Champion.^[1]

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.^[1]

In 1957, Liberati won the 500cc World Championship, scoring a total of four victories.^[1] 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, after he slipped on the wet road, violently hitting his head, during a training session on the Strada statale 209 Valnerina [it].