The emergence of a new generation of hard-charging talent made 1988 one of the most memorable seasons of grand prix motorcycle racing ever. Reigning World Champion Wayne Gardner and arch rival Eddie Lawson were expected to dominate again, but the new breed of two-wheel heroes were ready to rip up the form book and upstage the legends of the sport. In Japan, for the first race, it was Texan Kevin Schwantz who, in only his seventh 500cc World Championship race, would take victory and an early championship lead. Californian Lawson scored a hugely popular home win at the United States Grand Prix, but as the European leg of the championship started it was Kevin Magee, another emerging talent, who would take the chequered flag first. As the season unfolded, Lawson's unquestionable talent would see him dominate the racetracks of Europe, with Schwantz the only other man to take the top step of the podium until the mid-way point of the season. As the World Championship reached the Dutch TT, Australian Gardner suddenly found his form, taking three wins in a row to cut the points deficit to just 20 with 10 rounds complete. However, his championship ambitions were dealt a cruel blow in France when he was forced to retire while leading on the last lap, gifting the win to Lawson. Gardner refused to admit defeat, claiming another win and three more podium places in the final four rounds, but it wasn't enough to overhaul Lawson, who rode to his third World Championship title.