The 1998 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 50th
F.I.M.Road Racing World Championship season.
Season summary
Mick Doohan and
Honda continued to dominate the 500 class with the Australian taking 8 victories and Honda winning all but one race.[1]Simon Crafar winning the
British Grand Prix for
Yamaha's lone victory.[1] After being shocked by 500 class rookie
Max Biaggi's opening round victory in the
Japanese Grand Prix, Doohan went on to claim his fifth world championship in as many years, finishing off the season with four consecutive wins.[1]
A controversial finish marked the 250 title race.
Aprilia teammates
Tetsuya Harada and
Loris Capirossi both went into the final race in Argentina with a chance to win the title, Capirossi leading Harada by 4 points.[1] With one corner to go, Harada was in second, with Capirossi third, which would have given Harada the championship on tiebreak. Entering the final turn, his bike was struck from behind by Capirossi's machine, sending both riders off the track.[1]Valentino Rossi took the win with Capirossi recovering to finish in second and claiming the title.[1] Afterwards, Aprilia would release Capirossi from his contract.[1]
Kazuto Sakata would win his second 125 title for Aprilia after a tight battle with Tomomi Manako and
Marco Melandri.[1]
1998 Grand Prix season calendar
The following Grands Prix were scheduled to take place in 1998:[2]
The 1998 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season was the 50th
F.I.M.Road Racing World Championship season.
Season summary
Mick Doohan and
Honda continued to dominate the 500 class with the Australian taking 8 victories and Honda winning all but one race.[1]Simon Crafar winning the
British Grand Prix for
Yamaha's lone victory.[1] After being shocked by 500 class rookie
Max Biaggi's opening round victory in the
Japanese Grand Prix, Doohan went on to claim his fifth world championship in as many years, finishing off the season with four consecutive wins.[1]
A controversial finish marked the 250 title race.
Aprilia teammates
Tetsuya Harada and
Loris Capirossi both went into the final race in Argentina with a chance to win the title, Capirossi leading Harada by 4 points.[1] With one corner to go, Harada was in second, with Capirossi third, which would have given Harada the championship on tiebreak. Entering the final turn, his bike was struck from behind by Capirossi's machine, sending both riders off the track.[1]Valentino Rossi took the win with Capirossi recovering to finish in second and claiming the title.[1] Afterwards, Aprilia would release Capirossi from his contract.[1]
Kazuto Sakata would win his second 125 title for Aprilia after a tight battle with Tomomi Manako and
Marco Melandri.[1]
1998 Grand Prix season calendar
The following Grands Prix were scheduled to take place in 1998:[2]