[4] Christian Sarron on pole, then Eddie Lawson, Niall Mackenzie, Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Gardner.

Gardner got the first turn from Lawson, Rainey, Ron Haslam, Schwantz, et al. Didier De Radiguès moved up to 4th and the field started to get strung out.

Schwantz gave Ron Haslam a little bump as he passed and Sarron crashed out.

Lawson and Gardner swapped the lead, allowing Rainey and De Radiguès to close.

De Radiguès put pressure on Lawson his teammate in 2nd, and Rainey seemed to be dropping away.