Description
The 1996 500cc World Championship produced one of the most
unpredictable starts to a season possible, as team changes and pre-season
crashes ripped up the form book. With three different winners in the first
three races, it would only be when the championship arrived in Europe the real story of the season would emerge.
Reigning World Champion Mick Doohan struggled in the early
races. He took victory in Indonesia,
but was unable to prevent Luca Cadalora and the incredible Norifumi Abe securing
wins as well. The Repsol Honda team finally found form at round four, the
thrilling – and controversial – Spanish Grand Prix. Doohan and teammate Alex
Criville put on a thrilling display, until the shocking moment when eager
spectators invaded the track.
The fallout from that infamous incident set the tone for the
season, turning 1996 into a bitter grudge match between Doohan and Criville.
Over the remaining 11 races the Honda pair would share the podium on 10 occasions,
finishing first and second an incredible eight times. Criville’s consistency could
not match Doohan’s mercurial skill, however, as the Australian raced to a third
World Championship with two rounds to spare. The bitter duel didn’t end there
though, as the shocking last race clash proved.
This Official Review delivers edge-of-the-seat drama from
all 15 rounds, with action-packed practice and race coverage, plus interviews
and news from the paddock. The stunning footage lets you witness the Doohan-Criville
rivalry, as well as storming rides from Kenny Roberts Jr, Tadayuki Okada, Alex
Barros, Carlos Checa, Scott Russell and more.
In addition to the truly exceptional battles between Doohan
and Criville – including the breathtaking Czech Republic showdown which saw the
pair split by just 0.002 seconds at the flag – the Official Review includes
Loris Capirossi taking the historic first 500cc win for Wayne Rainey’s team.