Harley, meanwhile, recently sold its MV Agusta and Buell units to concentrate on its core brand.

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Restructuring efforts over the last year have seen entire lines shut down such as Buell and MV Agusta, as well as labor renegotiations and factory realignment.

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Finnegan attracted much attention by riding for the famous MV Agusta marque last season and finished just outside the top three in the highly competitive TT Superstock race.

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The 1998 traveling exhibit, "Art of the Motorcycle, " offered up a century of biking history, from a 1868 Michaux-Perreaux steam-powered machine to a Massimo Tamburini MV Agusta F4 racer.

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Riding in the colours of Round Tower Racing, Vitrans Honda, Klaffi Honda, MV Agusta and JMF Millsport Yamaha, he enjoyed considerable success, including three Irish championships and podium places at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and the Ulster Grand Prix.

BBC: Finnegan tragedy