The 1998 500cc World Championship saw two four-times World Champions go head-to-head in one of the closest seasons of motorcycle racing ever seen. In one corner there was the record-breaking veteran Mick Doohan, in the other 500cc rookie Max Biaggi.
After his dominance in 1997, Australian maestro Doohan started as favourite for a remarkable fifth World Championship in a row – until reigning 250cc title-holder Biaggi ripped up the form book by taking pole and victory on his 500cc debut. The pair would be joined by Alex Criville and Carlos Checa for an unpredictable roller coaster of a season, and one of the closest title battles the series had experience in its 50-year history.
As the amazing nip and tuck championship fight unfolded, fans were treated to spectacular races round after round, with many coming down to the last lap, and even the last corner. The race for the title remained a thrilling contest until, with just three rounds left, a controversial decision all but decided the destination of the 1998 World Championship.
The season was dominated by the incredible title battle, but the supporting cast put in many stunning performances, not least the in-form Alex Barros, the spectacular Simon Crafar, returning heroes John Kocinski and Luca Cadalora and wild card star Nori Haga.
This Official Review delivers thrilling action from all 14 rounds of the season, with interviews, informed commentary from Julian Ryder and Keith Huewen plus, of course, the best footage – including plenty from on-board the machines – ensuring comprehensive coverage of one of the most historic years of Grand Prix racing ever seen.
“In a great collection of DVDs, covering one of the most exciting periods in Grand Prix history, Duke Video have captured the evolution of top flight racing, from Eddie Lawson’s final fling through to Valentino Rossi’s rise to dominance. Action-packed footage, interviews with the stars and round-by-round coverage delivers the most comprehensive reviews of a decade of red hot Grand Prix racing. It is easy to forget the highs of Grand Prix; the Doohan years, when the Australian seemed unbeatable, and the lows, like Wayne Rainey’s career-ending crash, but they are all here in hour upon hour of great memories. And you will be reminded of the forgotten heroes of the period too, such as Alex Criville, who shared the podium with Doohan on 10 occasions in 11 races during the 1996 season, pushing him all the way for the title” Classic Racer