The 1990 500cc World Championship opened with the mouth-watering prospect of ’89 title rivals Eddie Lawson and Wayne Rainey competing on identical Team Roberts’ Marlboro Yamaha machinery. But a reinvigorated Wayne Gardner, his Rothmans Honda teammate Mick Doohan and flying Texan Kevin Schwantz all had points to prove. The dramatic story of the 15-round 1990 championship is the latest volume of classic season reviews to be released for the first time on DVD by Duke Video.
With four-time champion Lawson missing several rounds after a heavy spill in round two, it looked like a three-way fight for the crown – until Australian Gardner found his season interrupted by injury for the second year running.
Californian Rainey seemed set to have it all his own way in a season which saw him score a stunning seven victories, five second places, two thirds and just one retirement. However, as the championship reached Germany Lucky Strike Suzuki’s Schwantz finally found the consistency that would allow him to challenge Rainey’s dominance, notching up five victories in seven races.
But Schwantz’s slim title hopes crashed and burned – along with his bike – during an off-track excursion in Czechoslovakia, where, with two rounds to go, Rainey claimed his first 500cc World Championship.
Other notable moments of the ’90 season include Doohan announcing his arrival with his first win, Australian Gardner’s spectacular return from injury to claim an end-of-year win at his home track and controversy in Yugoslavia after the handling of stricken rider Christian Sarron and other fallers sparked concerns about medical provision.
Bike Grand Prix 1990’s extensive coverage includes the horrific crash that left Lucky Strike Suzuki rider Kevin Magee out of action for the rest of the season, and the heroics of stand-in Brit Niall Mackenzie at his home race. Also featured is spectacular footage as Doohan and Pierfrancesco Chili slide out of contention in perfect unison in Germany – prompting a colourful reaction from a sidelined Gardner.
Packed with scintillating race footage from all 15 rounds – including amazing footage from on-bike cameras offering a rider’s eye view of history-making moments and some impressive offs – plus behind the scenes insight from the riders themselves, Bike Grand Prix 1990 is the ultimate DVD guide to an historic year of white-knuckle racing.
Bike Grand Prix 1990 is released on 16th April, priced at £16.99 on DVD (103mins) is available now, priced at £16.99 on DVD (94mins), you can buy direct from Duke Video: Tel 01624 640000, or on-line through Londonbikers.com on our members discount page.
The DealWe've negotiated a deal with Duke Video that means when you visit their site from here and buy something from them, you're helping to support LB. It costs a lot of money each month to run the site and cover our overheads, this is all being paid for out of the pockets of those who help to run the site.
We believe the products that Duke Video have are so good, that we've bought a whole load ourselves! They have AMA, BSB, WSB, MotoGP, Road-Racing, Stunts and nearly every other topic in the biking world covered that you can imagine. Follow the link below to visit the Duke Video website, where you can browse their range and buy anything online easily. When you buy something, why not post up about it in the forums?
Related Linkswww.londonbikers.com/deals/dukevideo.aspx
Related News
