Kevin Schwantz Suzuka 1991 Poster

The prospect of seeing Kevin Schwantz wringing everything out of a Suzuki brought crowds to races and kept fans around the world glued to TV coverage of the 500cc FIM Grand Prix motorcycle World Championship in the late 1980s and early ’90s. Off the back of his best points finish yet – runner-up in 1990 – Schwantz hit the ’91 season-opener (illustrated here) at Suzuka in determined mood. Despite taking pole position, Schwantz had dropped out of the top six in the early stages, struggling for front-end grip, and he was almost the length of the front straight behind the leaders at one stage. But as their tires started to go off, Schwantz’s were improving and he carved his way to the front. He eventually beat Mick Doohan (Honda) and the Yamahas of Wayne Rainey and John Kocinski, to score what he now calls his favorite win. At the fall of the checkered flag, the top four were covered by just 0.556s

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