Rainey and Schwantz: one of motorcycle Grand Prix racing's most volatile rivalries. There are so many moments between them on track but this one, from 1991, encapsulates everything that was good about the skill they both possessed.

Rainey vs. Schwantz: German GP, Hockenheim, 1991

Grand Prix motorcycle racing is littered with brilliant moments from throughout its history. The first motorcycle world championship was held in 1949, a year before the Formula 1 world championship was inaugurated and, while those early years might seem quaint by comparison with modern racing, there was no shortage of bravery.

Before the advent of the modern MotoGP category, racing was ruled by the insanity of 500cc two-stroke bikes: light-switch power delivery mounted in decent chassis but with no electronic rider aids whatsoever and tyres that lagged far behind in development.

By the 1990’s, development was approaching its peak but that didn’t make the bikes any easier to ride: if anything, engine power continued to outstrip tyre performance by some margin and if the riders were able to fight each other on track while remaining rubber side down, then it was testament to their skill.

Although the ‘90s is defined somewhat by the dominance of Mick Doohan, who took five consecutive championships from 1994 to 1998 (between 1991 and 1998, out of 112 Grands Prix, he only finished off the podium 7 times, retiring in 11 others - some record), there were plenty of other big names who made headlines in that era.

In fact, since ‘King’ Kenny Roberts took three consecutive titles in 1978, ’79 and ’80, the motorcycle world championship had been the preserve of American riders. Out of the next 13 titles, American riders took 10, Italy two and Australia one before Doohan started his dominance.

Two of those American champions were the bitterest of enemies while they were racing. Californian Wayne Rainey was a three-time world champion - 1990, ’91 and ’92 - and all through those championship years, his nemesis was Texan Kevin Schwantz, arguably one of the most spectacular of all 500cc grand Prix riders.

In the 1993 Italian GP, Rainey crashed, breaking his spine. He was paralysed from the chest down and his career was over. Schwantz went on to take his only 500cc title but it wasn’t the way he would have wanted to win it.

There are too many moments during that period to feature them all, but this one popped up on Youtube the other day and it just begged to be posted.

It’s the last lap of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim in 1991. It’s Rainey on his Yamaha vs. Schwantz on his Suzuki. Hockenheim in those days was a fantastic track, bloody fast and dangerous. After the stadium section, the track curved gently out in to the woods and then gently back towards the stadium section. Even the inclusion of chicanes didn’t lessen the spectacle. It was brutally fast on those overpowered and basic machines.

Into the last lap, and Rainey is ahead. But Schwantz passes him going into one of the chicanes. Rainey repasses and then there is only one chance for Schwantz to wrestle the lead back before the tight stadium section and the dash to the finish line.

In one of the most audacious late braking manoeuvres, Schwantz somehow gets his Suzuki stopped in time to take the inside line into the fourth-last corner. He takes the lead and crosses the line a split second ahead of Rainey.

It’s one of those moments that encapsulates 500cc GP racing: right on the razor’s edge between disaster and glory.