The stage was set for a great race in the San Marino
sunshine. Kevin Schwantz (Lucky Strike Suzuki) was on a roll after his British
GP victory and claimed pole position in San Marino.
World Championship leader Wayne Rainey (Marlboro Yamaha) had
other ideas in stalling the tall Texan's late challenge for the title.
Rainey’s closest competitor Michael Doohan (Rothmans Honda),
currently lying second in the Championship, stunned his rivals by storming into
first place from early leader Rainey, but the drama was just beginning as the
dreaded back-markers began to play a vital role in the final outcome...
In the 250 class Championship leader Luca Cadalora (Rothmans
Honda) was out to take a giant step towards the championship. Helmut Bradl was engaged
in a tremendous battle with the flying Italian, keeping the Honda star at bay
for many laps. Once passed, Bradl, in a frantic bid to retake the lead from
Cadalora, spectacularly came to grief in the searing San Marino heat but
escaped injury. This left Carlos Cardus (Repsol Honda) the main challenger to
Cadalora in a memorable race.