The 1988 Dutch TT was the eighth round of the 1988 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season.

[5] Christian Sarron on pole, but dropped to the back after a terrible start.

Through the first turn it was Eddie Lawson, Pierfrancesco Chili, Ron Haslam, Didier De Radiguès, Wayne Gardner, et al. Haslam ran wide and rode off into the grass.

Through the chicane at the end of the first lap, it was Lawson, De Radiguès, Chili, Gardner, Kevin Magee, Rob McElnea, Randy Mamola, Patrick Igoa, Sarron and Wayne Rainey.

Gardner caught De Radiguès and started to bridge up to Lawson.