Kevin Schwantz – 25 Grand Prix wins and One 500cc World Championship
Kevin Schwantz is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular riders ever to grace the 500c World Championship.
Born into a motorcycling family on June 19, 1964, in Houston, Texas, Kevin honed his early skills on two wheels, firstly in Trials, where he adopted his iconic #34 from his uncle and then in Motocross. After a couple of 500cc World Championship outings in 1986 and 1987, Kevin became a full-time Grand Prix rider in 1988 and wasted no time in announcing his arrival – victory in the opening round of the season, at Suzuka in Japan, followed by another in Germany brought him to the attention of fans across the world.
In 1989, he repeated his Japan win and went on to score five more wins and three podiums. Retirements restricted his Championship finishing position to fourth but the following year he ranked second, taking five wins and five podiums. Throughout, Kevin’s flamboyance and distinctive, no fear, riding style boosted a growing legion of supporters, particularly races like the ’91 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim where his legendary late race battle with Wayne Rainey gave him instant hero status. That season, again, saw five wins and after a single win in 1992, at Misano, Kevin had nineteen wins but still no Championship to his name.
1993 changed all that and secured the Schwantz name and the #34 into folklore. Four wins and seven podiums put Kevin at the top of the world, winning the 500cc World Championship by thirty-four points.
Two wins were added in 1994, the first in Japan, the second and his final Grand Prix victory at Donington Park in England. In 1995, after a string of injuries through his career, Kevin Schwantz left the 500cc World Championship with 25 wins on his slate – the second highest number in the group of American Grand Prix winners and remains to this day, one of the true icons of motorcycle racing and a poster boy for fans of his generation around the globe.
Photo credits – Gold & Goose