With races to be held across three continents, the 1987 500cc World Championship would be one of the toughest-ever campaigns - and with three of the finest motorcycle racers ever to grace a circuit hell-bent on securing the title, it would be one of the toughest-ever championship battles. Reigning champion Eddie Lawson may have been carrying the number one plate, but Rothmans Honda Rider Wayne Gardner was tipped to lead the title charge from round one, held at a rain-soaked Suzuka in Japan. However, it was Californian Randy Mamola who drew first blood with a stunning victory in front of the 100,000-strong audience. Ggardner, Lawson and Mamola would dominate the season, sharing wins as the action moved through Europe and South America. It was a long, and often difficult, road to the final race in Argentina, with mechanical woes, tricky conditions and rider error ensuring the title chase remained tight.