1998

Girl Power dominated the charts, but Fogarty was giving us what we really, really wanted – WSB wins

The Spice Girls were wowing the British record-buying public with annoying songs, skimpy dresses and soppy slogans, but British bikers were spicing up their lives with the latest breed of ballistic sportsbikes. The Yamaha R1 landed in 1998 and simply changed the way the world viewed motorcycles. It was stupidly fast, incredibly light and, thanks to its revolutionary stacked gearbox which allowed for a short wheelbase, handled like a dream.

Carl Fogarty was flying the flag for Britain - and Ducati - as he aimed for a third WSB title. He had an epic battle with Troy Corser and Aaron Slight and ended up taking the title by just 4.5 points. In BSB, Niall Mackenzie took his third title aboard...