Throwback Thursday: 1991 Grand Prix Season Kicks Off
Larry Lawrence | April 5, 2018
Photo by Henny Ray Abrams
In this week’s Throwback we wind the clock back 27 years to 1991 and the start of that year’s Motorcycle Grand Prix season. Japan’s legendary Suzuka Circuit was the location. Kevin Schwantz earned the pole on his Lucky Strike Suzuki and it was Schwantz (34) nailing a great start ahead of Mick Doohan (3), John Kocinski (19), Eddie Lawson (7), defending world champ Wayne Rainey (1), Alex Barros (12) and the rest of the field.
This race came down to one of the all-time best last laps in GP history. Doohan, Schwantz, Rainey and Kocinski were involved in an epic battle. Doohan and Schwantz traded the lead several times with Rainey and Kocinski right there should either of the two leaders make an era.
In the end it was the ever-aggressive Schwantz diving underneath and getting back to the front, holding off Doohan for the victory. It was one of the let-it-all-hang-out races that added to Schwantz’ tremendous popularity with fans.
You can read about this race and many more by subscribing to the Cycle News Archives at: https://www.cyclenews.com/cycle-news-archives/
