10. 1979 SILVERSTONE, BRITISH GP, BARRY SHEENE AND KENNY ROBERTS
By 1979 Sheene was in his post-championship years, his two titles coming in 1976 and '77. But he was still in his prime and still, for this final year, with the works Suzuki squad. Sheene was at the height of his fame, making front cover tabloid material like no racer has since. And seeing as he was still Number Two in the world he had the ability to make Silverstone a sell-out and a must-see for millions of television viewers.
By modern standards the passes were very clean, almost incidental. The inter-rider taunts (a classic up-yours 'V' from Sheene famously misinterpreted as a wave by Murray Walker) seem almost Rossi-esque for their sense of pantomime. Perhaps what marks the race out for posterity is not that last lap lunge by Bazza, but instead the collective goose-bumps, hair-on-end sensation enjoyed simultaneously by millions of Britons. Exceeding maybe even those felt on the Island for Mike Hailwood's comeback win in 1978.
By 1979 Sheene was in his post-championship years, his two titles coming in 1976 and '77. But he was still in his prime and still, for this final year, with the works Suzuki squad. Sheene was at the height of his fame, making front cover tabloid material like no racer has since. And seeing as he was still Number Two in the world he had the ability to make Silverstone a sell-out and a must-see for millions of television viewers.
By modern standards the passes were very clean, almost incidental. The inter-rider taunts (a classic up-yours 'V' from Sheene famously misinterpreted as a wave by Murray Walker) seem almost Rossi-esque for their sense of pantomime. Perhaps what marks the race out for posterity is not that last lap lunge by Bazza, but instead the collective goose-bumps, hair-on-end sensation enjoyed simultaneously by millions of Britons. Exceeding maybe even those felt on the Island for Mike Hailwood's comeback win in 1978.
9. 2005 JEREZ, SPANISH GRAND PRIX VALENTINO ROSSI AND SETE GIBERNAU
There's no doubt that for two years Sete Gibernau was the only rival to Valentino Rossi, and he beat him often enough to be called a worthy rival. When Rossi switched to Yamaha in 2004, he took Sete seriously enough that relations between the two soured. What turned it happened at Qatar in 2004 - the notorious incident where Rossi was moved to the back of the grid after his team had spun up a scooter tyre on the grid "to give Valentino a reference point" (or to try to work up some grip). Rossi blamed Sete for reporting him, called him "a spy", then proceeded to crash out of the race while Gibernau won. "He will never win another race," prophesied Rossi. He was correct, and the way he made sure of it was almost theatrical.
It was at Jerez in 2005. The two had scrapped to the end, Gibernau was leading on the run to the final hairpin. Until Rossi appeared, barely in control, and diving for the apex. The two touched, Gibernau ricocheted off into the gravel, where he recovered to take a highly disgruntled second. Rossi, unkindly, made fun of him afterwards, suggesting he was rather playing up his supposed shoulder injury. Gibernau's career slowly unwound, from that point onwards.
There's no doubt that for two years Sete Gibernau was the only rival to Valentino Rossi, and he beat him often enough to be called a worthy rival. When Rossi switched to Yamaha in 2004, he took Sete seriously enough that relations between the two soured. What turned it happened at Qatar in 2004 - the notorious incident where Rossi was moved to the back of the grid after his team had spun up a scooter tyre on the grid "to give Valentino a reference point" (or to try to work up some grip). Rossi blamed Sete for reporting him, called him "a spy", then proceeded to crash out of the race while Gibernau won. "He will never win another race," prophesied Rossi. He was correct, and the way he made sure of it was almost theatrical.
It was at Jerez in 2005. The two had scrapped to the end, Gibernau was leading on the run to the final hairpin. Until Rossi appeared, barely in control, and diving for the apex. The two touched, Gibernau ricocheted off into the gravel, where he recovered to take a highly disgruntled second. Rossi, unkindly, made fun of him afterwards, suggesting he was rather playing up his supposed shoulder injury. Gibernau's career slowly unwound, from that point onwards.
8. 1988 BRNO, CZECH 250CC GRAND PRIX JUAN GARRIGA'S AND SITO PONS
Juan Garriga and Sito Pons were both from Catalunya, but poles apart. Pons, sleek and posh, had given up a career as an architect to go racing. Garriga, thin and edgy, had battled his way up from the poor side of town. In 1998 the pair battled for the 250 championship. At Brno, the penultimate round, Garriga raced from 10th to make a ferocious pass on Pons for the win. Garriga's win brought him within six points of Pons' championship lead. Then in Brazil he was taken out on the second lap. Garriga came back from 23rd to fifth, but it wasn't enough. The defeat marked the end of Garriga's prime. After racing he drifted into trading guns and drugs - which led to a stretch in jail.
Juan Garriga and Sito Pons were both from Catalunya, but poles apart. Pons, sleek and posh, had given up a career as an architect to go racing. Garriga, thin and edgy, had battled his way up from the poor side of town. In 1998 the pair battled for the 250 championship. At Brno, the penultimate round, Garriga raced from 10th to make a ferocious pass on Pons for the win. Garriga's win brought him within six points of Pons' championship lead. Then in Brazil he was taken out on the second lap. Garriga came back from 23rd to fifth, but it wasn't enough. The defeat marked the end of Garriga's prime. After racing he drifted into trading guns and drugs - which led to a stretch in jail.
7. 1991 JAPANESE GP WAYNE GARDNER'S SWANSONG
Wayne Gardner is another with so many great races it's hard to pick one, ranging from the 1989 Australian GP to his 1992 swansong defeat of Wayne Rainey at Donington Park.
For sheer grit, nothing beats the Japanese GP of 1992. The race was streaming wet. Gardner was one of many who fell victim to the conditions early on, slipping off into the mud at the Esses. The Wild One was never a quitter. He ran back to his filthy bike, ripped off the remains of the screen, and took off after the rest of them, right at the back. Passing four riders in two laps at one point, he was charging to the front. With four laps to go, he was catching fifth-placed Mamola at three seconds a lap. Trying harder still, he slipped off again at the exit of the Esses, right where the guard rail cuts back across the corner exit. He slid under the laughable foam rubber protector and slammed into it, breaking his leg so badly his season was ruined. He later announced his retirement, and then claimed that final win in Great Britain. True grit.
Wayne Gardner is another with so many great races it's hard to pick one, ranging from the 1989 Australian GP to his 1992 swansong defeat of Wayne Rainey at Donington Park.
For sheer grit, nothing beats the Japanese GP of 1992. The race was streaming wet. Gardner was one of many who fell victim to the conditions early on, slipping off into the mud at the Esses. The Wild One was never a quitter. He ran back to his filthy bike, ripped off the remains of the screen, and took off after the rest of them, right at the back. Passing four riders in two laps at one point, he was charging to the front. With four laps to go, he was catching fifth-placed Mamola at three seconds a lap. Trying harder still, he slipped off again at the exit of the Esses, right where the guard rail cuts back across the corner exit. He slid under the laughable foam rubber protector and slammed into it, breaking his leg so badly his season was ruined. He later announced his retirement, and then claimed that final win in Great Britain. True grit.
6. 2007 SPANISH GP, CASEY STONER AND VALENTINO ROSSI
Tooth-and-nail is alive and well in the 800cc era. The proof came at Catalunya, where almost uncountable overtakes between Rossi and Stoner ended up with the Australian's Ducati ahead by a nose. At the end, his 12kph speed advantage proved decisive. What made it a great race is how hard Rossi tried to overcome it. Not many a rider would have resisted that pressure, no matter how fast his motorcycle. Afterwards, Rossi acknowledged Stoner's feat. "He is riding like a god," he said.
It was the sixth race of the new 800cc era, an age that had started with several surprises. One was that Honda was off the pace. Another was Casey Stoner and his Ducati. The bike was blindingly fast in a straight line, and he was riding consistently fast round the other parts. Last year's frequent crasher has turned into a mature would-be champion.
Tooth-and-nail is alive and well in the 800cc era. The proof came at Catalunya, where almost uncountable overtakes between Rossi and Stoner ended up with the Australian's Ducati ahead by a nose. At the end, his 12kph speed advantage proved decisive. What made it a great race is how hard Rossi tried to overcome it. Not many a rider would have resisted that pressure, no matter how fast his motorcycle. Afterwards, Rossi acknowledged Stoner's feat. "He is riding like a god," he said.
It was the sixth race of the new 800cc era, an age that had started with several surprises. One was that Honda was off the pace. Another was Casey Stoner and his Ducati. The bike was blindingly fast in a straight line, and he was riding consistently fast round the other parts. Last year's frequent crasher has turned into a mature would-be champion.
5. 2006 PORTUGUESE GP, ELIAS AND ROSSI
Asked back in his 125 days why he had such an aggressive riding style, Toni Elias told us with a toothy laugh, "I like the other people to know I am there." He has a peculiar style, riding the front wheel with the back really loose. Sideways and fast. But it wasn't until the Portuguese GP of 2006 that he'd finally got the tyres he needed to make the most of it on a MotoGP bike. The race was defined early on when championship leader Hayden was skittled by team-mate Pedrosa.
It was a golden chance for Rossi to catch up. But he wasn't alone. Not only did he have former title rival Kenny Roberts for company, he also had Elias. And Elias was letting him know he was there. The battle went to the end, Elias finding ever stranger places to pass Rossi. In the end, his screaming exit from the final corner was too much even for Rossi to cope with. Elias won the race by two thousandths of a second. The five points he cost Rossi were exactly the amount by which he lost the title to Hayden.
Asked back in his 125 days why he had such an aggressive riding style, Toni Elias told us with a toothy laugh, "I like the other people to know I am there." He has a peculiar style, riding the front wheel with the back really loose. Sideways and fast. But it wasn't until the Portuguese GP of 2006 that he'd finally got the tyres he needed to make the most of it on a MotoGP bike. The race was defined early on when championship leader Hayden was skittled by team-mate Pedrosa.
It was a golden chance for Rossi to catch up. But he wasn't alone. Not only did he have former title rival Kenny Roberts for company, he also had Elias. And Elias was letting him know he was there. The battle went to the end, Elias finding ever stranger places to pass Rossi. In the end, his screaming exit from the final corner was too much even for Rossi to cope with. Elias won the race by two thousandths of a second. The five points he cost Rossi were exactly the amount by which he lost the title to Hayden.
3. 1991 HOCKENHEIM, GERMAN GRAND PRIX, RAINEY AND SCHWANTZ
Hockenheimring in 1991 was another Rainey-Schwantz classic. Hockenheim was dauntingly fast and this year it was destroying tyres. Schwantz and Rainey shredded several in practice; Dunlop flew special ones in. In the race, series leader Doohan was trying to break away when (irony of ironies) his rear Michelin threw a chunk. It came down to the two old rivals. On the last lap Schwantz regained the lead at the distant Ostkurve, but Rainey drafted past again on the final straight.
Then came Schwantz's epic outbraking move, into the stadium section. The Suzuki was sideways at 180mph - but he was alongside, and had the inside line. Rainey fought back but lost by only 0.016 seconds.
To Schwantz, it was avoidance. "He took me by surprise braking so early, I had to swerve like that to avoid hitting him." To Rainey, it was a typical bonehead move. "It's the way Schwantz used to race. I had to give him room. If it'd been the other way round, he'd have taken me out."
Hockenheimring in 1991 was another Rainey-Schwantz classic. Hockenheim was dauntingly fast and this year it was destroying tyres. Schwantz and Rainey shredded several in practice; Dunlop flew special ones in. In the race, series leader Doohan was trying to break away when (irony of ironies) his rear Michelin threw a chunk. It came down to the two old rivals. On the last lap Schwantz regained the lead at the distant Ostkurve, but Rainey drafted past again on the final straight.
Then came Schwantz's epic outbraking move, into the stadium section. The Suzuki was sideways at 180mph - but he was alongside, and had the inside line. Rainey fought back but lost by only 0.016 seconds.
To Schwantz, it was avoidance. "He took me by surprise braking so early, I had to swerve like that to avoid hitting him." To Rainey, it was a typical bonehead move. "It's the way Schwantz used to race. I had to give him room. If it'd been the other way round, he'd have taken me out."
2. 1988 PAUL RICARD, FRENCH GRAND PRIX
The old Paul Ricard - using the full Mistral straight - was close to heaven, especially when the weather was as azure-blue as in 1988. The 500cc race, bang in the middle of a golden age, had other aspects of divinity. Wayne Gardner, defending champion, trailed Eddie Lawson by 20 points. But Eddie had dislocated his shoulder a week before. Gardner's luck seemed to be turning.
Problem was the others: Rainey and Schwantz. And Sarron - who had taken his fifth pole in a row. In the race the pace was so hot that Rainey was unable keep up. The first surprise came from injured Eddie (he'd rejected painkillers). Instead of a steady ride, he'd pushed past Rainey, and joined the leading trio.
The sight of four 500s on full noise running into the fast corner at the end of the long straight was unforgettable. With one lap to go, Gardner had the lead. But at the end of the straight, a loosened crankshaft bolt broke into the water pump. He clattered to a stop. Amazingly, he managed to get it going again, on three cylinders, and finish fourth. Up front, Sarron tactfully rode shotgun to Lawson, keeping Schwantz third, less than half a second off the leader. It was one of Eddie's bravest and best races.
The old Paul Ricard - using the full Mistral straight - was close to heaven, especially when the weather was as azure-blue as in 1988. The 500cc race, bang in the middle of a golden age, had other aspects of divinity. Wayne Gardner, defending champion, trailed Eddie Lawson by 20 points. But Eddie had dislocated his shoulder a week before. Gardner's luck seemed to be turning.
Problem was the others: Rainey and Schwantz. And Sarron - who had taken his fifth pole in a row. In the race the pace was so hot that Rainey was unable keep up. The first surprise came from injured Eddie (he'd rejected painkillers). Instead of a steady ride, he'd pushed past Rainey, and joined the leading trio.
The sight of four 500s on full noise running into the fast corner at the end of the long straight was unforgettable. With one lap to go, Gardner had the lead. But at the end of the straight, a loosened crankshaft bolt broke into the water pump. He clattered to a stop. Amazingly, he managed to get it going again, on three cylinders, and finish fourth. Up front, Sarron tactfully rode shotgun to Lawson, keeping Schwantz third, less than half a second off the leader. It was one of Eddie's bravest and best races.
1. 1983 ANDERSTORP, SWEDISH GRAND PRIX, KENNY ROBERTS AND FREDDY SPENCER
Kenny Roberts' career yielded at least two iconic moments. One was the battle with Barry Sheene at Silverstone in 1979, which he won. The other race may be more memorable. This time he lost.
Freddie Spencer was his rival, on the nimble three-cylinder Honda. They were neck and neck on points for the '83 championship, with two races left, and had been battling for the lead throughout the Swedish GP.
It came down to the last corner, and Roberts thought he had it covered. "My mistake was I underestimated just how big a risk he would be willing to take," he said later. He braked late, knowing he was on the limit. Yet Spencer came past on the inside. Roberts was right enough about the limit: Freddie didn't make the corner. But he took Roberts out onto the dirt. Spencer recovered first and made it through the last remaining corner to win the race. He went on to win the title by just two points.
Kenny Roberts' career yielded at least two iconic moments. One was the battle with Barry Sheene at Silverstone in 1979, which he won. The other race may be more memorable. This time he lost.
Freddie Spencer was his rival, on the nimble three-cylinder Honda. They were neck and neck on points for the '83 championship, with two races left, and had been battling for the lead throughout the Swedish GP.
It came down to the last corner, and Roberts thought he had it covered. "My mistake was I underestimated just how big a risk he would be willing to take," he said later. He braked late, knowing he was on the limit. Yet Spencer came past on the inside. Roberts was right enough about the limit: Freddie didn't make the corner. But he took Roberts out onto the dirt. Spencer recovered first and made it through the last remaining corner to win the race. He went on to win the title by just two points.
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