The neat and consistent multi World Champion Eddie Lawson claimed his four titles in 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1989, in a golden period for American riders. With the last of his successes Lawson became the first rider in the history of the sport to win the title with two different manufacturers in back-to-back seasons. In 1988 he gave Yamaha their fourth championship of the decade - his third in just six seasons - and the following year he immediately won his fourth onboard the Honda NSR500.

Lawson entered the World Championship on the back of dirt-track and Superbike recognition in the United States, winning two AMA Superbike and two 250cc titles on the asphalt. His debut 500cc campaign with Yamaha was impressive and he took three podiums in 1983 as team-mate to Kenny Roberts Snr.

Indeed 1983 was the first of six years with Yamaha and the title arrived at Lawson’s second attempt with four wins and nine podiums from the 12 rounds in 1984.

He went on to earn 31 wins and 78 podiums in a glorious decade of 500cc racing, with perhaps his finest moment being his 1989 triumph over Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey, as he only finished out of the top three twice in the 15 rounds - taking four victories en route.

His last season in 1992, at 34 years of age, was notable for his second year with the until-then uncompetitive Cagiva, but Lawson gave the Italian machine its first historic win at a damp Hungary.