500cc World Championship 1996 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mick Doohan

'Mighty Mick' Doohan would win his third 500cc world championship crown, after winning in 1994 and 1995. He would add two more in 1997 and 1998.

Answer: Honda

Honda dominated completely in 1996 with little opposition from Yamaha or Suzuki. Yamaha would only win two races all season - thanks to Abe in Japan and Checa in Spain (and both were the riders home races!) Suzuki went winless. Honda was certainly the bike of choice with over half the field riding the machine.

Answer: Luca Cadalora

On the sponsorship barren Kanemoto Honda, Luca Cadalora would open the 1996 500cc world championship in topsy-turvy, wet-dry conditions with a spectacular win. Okada could have won, but threw it away when he crashed while Doohan suffered mechanical problems and finished only 5th.

Answer: Alex Barros

Amazingly, Alex Barros led the tables after two excellent second places in Malaysia and Indonesia. Doohan sat in second after winning in Malaysia with Cadalora third only one point behind the Australian. Biaggi led the 250cc standings at that time.

Answer: 12

He would score 12 podiums in total thanks to 8 wins (Indonesia, Spain, Italy, France, Holland, Britain, Imola and Brazil) and 4 second places (Germany, Austria, Czech Republic and Catalunya).

Answer: Olivier Jacque

Olivier Jacque would deliver a first career victory with a dominant win at the Jacarapagua circuit. Jacque had also taken pole position for the event and managed to hold off both Biaggi and Waldmann, the championship contenders, to take the win.

Answer: Valentino Rossi

As a young 16-year old rookie, Rossi would show some of that talent that would propel him to the 125cc World Championship in 1997 by beating far more experienced rivals at the Brno circuit in the Czech Republic. Goi had won his first race the previous weekend in Austria. Alzamora had taken his first win in Argentina in 1995 though did win the 1996 Dutch TT at Assen. Locatelli would not win his first 125cc until the French GP in 1999 and in 1996 was actually competing in the 250cc championship.

Answer: Alberto Puig

In many ways, it was a very emotional occassion for Puig as it was at the very same track that in 1995 he had a 165 mph crash that had shattered his left leg and left many that he would never ride again. It was a brave ride indeed considering Puig had no feeling below his knee!

Answer: 309

Doohan finished 54 points clear of his nearest rival and team-mate Alex Criville and 131 points clear of third-placed Luca Cadalora.

Answer: 8

Doohan would lead home Criville or vice-versa 8 times during the season, a reflection of the dominance of the Repsol Honda team. The 1-2s occurred at the Italian, French, Dutch, British, Austrian (Criville 1st), Czech (Criville 1st), Imola and Brazilian GPs.

Answer: Eastern Creek

Eastern Creek had taken hosting duties away from Phillip Island after two races were held at the Victorian circuit in 1989 and 1990. The race would return to Phillip Island in 1997.

Answer: 8

Honda bikes would sweep the podium 8 times during the season, including a sensational 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 at the Catalunyan Grand Prix. As for times they didn't, Capirossi took 3rd for Yamaha in Indonesia, Abe won for Yamaha with Scott Russell third on a Suzuki in Japan, Abe took third in Britain, Austria and Brazil, Russell finished third in the Czech Republic while Capirossi took a marvellous debut win in Australia.

Answer: Max Biaggi

Biaggi would win his 3rd consecutive 250cc World Championship with a nail-biting final round victory at Australia which wrapped up his title, 6 points ahead of Ralf Waldmann. Jacque would take third overall in an impressive season.

Answer: Haruchika Aoki

Aoki would wrap up a second consecutive 125cc world championship by beating Tokudome and Manako in Australia, although all were beaten by Australia Garry McCoy on the day.

Answer: Troy Corser

Corser, on a Ducati, wrapped up his first Superbike World Championship after dominating the series. He would make his way to the 500cc class in 1997 but would be hampered by bad machinery and bad luck.