Eddie Lawson would recapture the championship from Wayne Gardner in a season that witnessed several fierce duels.
Two newcomers joined the Grand Prix circuit with Americans Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz each winning races in their first full year.
The first United States Grand Prix in 23 years was held in Monterrey, California.
Spain's Jorge Martinez captured double championships in the 80 and 125 classes for the Spanish firm Derbi.
The following Grands Prix were scheduled to take place in 1988:[2][3] Points are awarded to the top fifteen finishers.