1990 marked the beginning of the Rainey era with the Marlboro-Yamaha rider taking 7 wins and scoring points in every race but Hungary after he had already clinched the championship.
Maybe he thought he could control me, but at that stage I was past being controlled.”[2] Rainey switched from Dunlop to Michelin tires this year.
[1] Newcomer John Kocinski took the 250 title for Kenny Roberts' Marlboro-Yamaha squad after a tight points battle with Carlos Cardús that was not decided until the final race of the season.
[1] Despite five Grand Prix victories for Hans Spaan, seventeen-year-old Loris Capirossi became the youngest-ever world champion when he claimed the 125 crown for Honda.
[1] The following Grands Prix were scheduled to take place in 1990:[3][4] Points are awarded to the top fifteen finishers.