Franco Perfini wins his third national 125cc title. After Simonini in 1978 and Gilera in 1980, now for the third Italian manufacturer: Cagiva.

Franco Perfini repeated Gilera's success of the previous year and won the Italian championship once again. He used the tried-and-tested single-cylinder model in the decisive races rather than the unproven twin-cylinder model.

Franco Perfini wins the first national championship for Simonini.

Franco Perfini had a perfect year. While he won the first title for Simonini in the 125 class, he also secured the first Italian title for Montesa in the 250 class.