As the finest motorcycle racers on Earth gathered at the opening round of the 1986 500cc World Championship there was one question on everybodys lips could anyone beat reigning king Freddie Spencers Rothmans Honda?
Now you can re-live the scintillating story of a classic year of two-wheeled duelling on DVD for the first time. Original race footage has been re-edited to create Bike Grand Prix 1986, the latest release from Duke, packed with more than three hours of stunning action.
Although tipped to retain his title, a persistent wrist injury prevented 1985 World Champion Spencer mounting a real defence. That cleared the way for adversary Eddie Lawson to lead the charge on his Marlboro Yamaha as the worlds premier motorcycle race series contested 11 fast-paced rounds.
Australian Wayne Gardner won the first race, but struggled to adopt the mantle of Rothmans Honda team-leader in place of the absent Spencer. Lawson dominated the next four rounds, but as the championship passed the halfway point the Californians luck changed.
At the Dutch TT, where his slim title hopes had evaporated in 1985, Lawson tumbled out of contention, allowing Gardner to take the win and renew his championship challenge. The rain-lashed Belgium Grand Prix at Spa went to Randy Mamola, but it was normal service resumed in France as Lawson took the win, despite a recently dislocated shoulder.
With just three rounds remaining, Gardner dug deep and produced an awe-inspiring victory in heavy rain at the British Grand Prix.
The penultimate round, in Sweden, would be the race of the season. Lawson was dogged by Gardner for lap after lap, the Australian refusing to relinquish his slim title ambitions. However, a slower machine ruined the Honda riders challenge and allowed Lawson to record his sixth win of the season, and the 1986 World Championship.
Bike Grand Prix 1986 brings you all the vital moments, with incredible trackside and on-board footage, plus fascinating interviews with the leading riders. Theres also the debut of British sensation Niall Mackenzie, future World Champion Kevin Schwantz and legend Kenny Roberts Yamaha team.
