Throwback Thursday: French Grand Prix Podium at Circuit Paul Ricard (1988)

Larry Lawrence | August 24, 2023

Eddie Lawson, Christian Sarron and Kevin Schwantz Celebrate Their Good Fortune

In this week’s Throwback we dial back the clock 35 years to July of 1988 and the French 500cc Motorcycle Grand Prix at Paul Ricard. On the podium that day were winner Eddie Lawson (center), runner-up Christian Sarron (left) and Kevin Schwantz, who took third. All three riders were probably smiling over their good fortune. Wayne Gardner led this closely positioned trio by about two seconds going into the final lap, but then his Honda developed mechanical problems forcing him to slow drastically. Lawson, Sarron and Schwantz got by, each likely surprised by finishing one place higher than they thought they would when they started the last lap. Gardner nursed his sputtering bike home to fourth, about five seconds back.

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