Australian Bike Heroes

Wayne Gardner. Kevin Magee. Michael Doohan. Australia’s three best riders from the 1980’s and early 1990’s are featured in this compilation of their most memorable races, the first 500cc Grand Prix victory.

Interest had rarely been greater in a 500cc world championship than when the 1986 season opened at Jarama in Spain. All eyes were on Freddie Spencer, the Rothmans Honda rider, aiming for his third title, however his new team mate Wayne Gardner was the star of the show claiming his maiden Grand Prix victory after claiming pole position. This was vintage Gardner, hard riding and fearless. Wayne went on to secure his only World Championship just one year later in 1987.

And who could forget Kevin Magee’s only Grand Prix win at Jarama, Spain, during the 1988 season. The “Horsham Hurricane” outrode a first class field including Lawson, Mamola, Gardner and Rainey, to convincingly win on the factory Yamaha. This was the beginning of Magee’s rise to fame, which almost ended with a near fatal crash at Laguna Seca in 1990. Relive just how good Kevin Magee was on a Grand Prix bike!

The final race features Michael Doohan, 5 times World Champion with 54 Grand Prix wins, but do you remember his first GP win in Hungary 1990? The circuit was bumpy and rough due to a recent truck race but Mick showed his class by out riding Rainey, Lawson, Schwantz and Gardner, his determination and riding skill were admired by all.