1985 was a great year for motor sports. In motorcycle Grands Prix, a man decided to achieve a superhuman feat. A historic double, reminiscent of those of the Agostini and Hailwood myths. Win, in the same year, the 250cc and 500cc titles, all supported by the HRC.
First, let's realize the challenge. Doubles are not rare in history, since 15 people have already managed to win two titles in a single year, until 1988. The “King Ago” is the master in this field, with five doubles in his career (350cc/500cc). However, this needs to be qualified. Most of the time, these exploits took place before the revival of the 1980s, the transition to the "modern era", shall we say. Then, never the boxes 250 tsp et
500 tsp had not been checked simultaneously.
Freddie Spencer is not a pilot like the others. As soon as he arrived full-time in 1982, he dazzled the motorcycle world with his talent. The American even became the youngest world champion in 1983, only a year after his debut. To do this, Honda puts it in very good conditions. In 250cc, it will be the only one equipped with a RS250RW, also sponsored by Rothmans. In the premier category, “fast Freddie” is equipped with a NSR500, the latest evolution than other cutting-edge drivers (Randy Mamola et
Wayne Gardner) will discover later in the year.
Traditionally, the season begins with Daytona 200. From then on, Spencer called the shots. He won the Superbike category in style, moving up the entire peloton. A performance that has gone down in history, considered one of the greatest on the Florida track.
The 250 Honda RS1985R-W, bearing the legendary number 19. Photo: Rikita
The challenge can therefore begin. From the start of the championship in South Africa, Spencer won in 250cc. This is Honda's first victory in this category since
Ralph Bryans in 1967. You will have understood, Freddie doesn't have time. However, the title holder
Eddie lawson resists him in 500cc. He still finished second.
If he manages to win the 500cc race in Spain, the Jarama track poses problems for him in the 250cc. A poor ninth place puts him behind his rivals Anton Mang et
Charles Washed to the general. Still no victory in Germany.
The challenge takes a completely different turn. The start of the season is good but running twice in the same day is tiring. Shouldn't Freddie focus on just one category or risk ending up double vice-champion?
Fortunately, doubts are swept away Mugello. He becomes the first man to win the 250cc and the 500cc in the same day since Tom Herron at TT 1976, and
Jarno Saarinen in 1973 on the more conventional tests. History is in progress.
The rest of the 250cc season is unheard of. This success on Italian soil marks the start of a series of invincibility lasting six races. A fourth place in British Grand Prix seals the fate of the category; Spencer is world champion. Immediately, he decided to stop competing on this engine to concentrate on the big part.
Indeed, the 500cc is tougher than ever. Eddie Lawson, as usual, doesn't give up and shows disconcerting regularity. Spencer is the only one who can compete; Sarron is third and does not play in the same league despite a victory in Germany.
The TT Assen could have been the justice of the peace, given the slaughter among the leaders. Fortunately for the suspense, the first three leave without scoring a single point. Not far from there, at Spa-Francorchamps, the championship evolves. Spencer is now much stronger than Lawson, there is no doubt about it.
Despite his ugly end to his career (for a rider of his caliber), Spencer remained close to motorcycle sports, but also to France. Photo: Martin Cox
The Honda official took the next four victories, and was crowned world champion in Sweden, one race before the end. Spencer achieved the feat that was thought to be impossible. Furthermore, he will miss the final round of the championship due to a thumb injury.
We must take into account the difficulty of the thing. Lawson, in finishing second, scored an average of 11,05 points per race (based on 15 points for the winner), which is huge for a world runner-up. Ditto in 250cc, where Mang has an average of more than 10 points! This feat required an enormous amount of resources from “fast Freddie”. Very good.
He never won races again. This is difficult to imagine, but it is nevertheless the harsh reality. Many specialists agree that this season is not unrelated to the American's loss of form. The level of commitment was such that delayed injuries subsequently accumulated.
A miserable return in 1989 will not change the situation.
Even today, Spencer is one of those “wasted talents” who could have reigned ruthlessly over the motorcycle Grands Prix.
Fate decided otherwise. So, it is not because a pilot outrageously dominates, seems to fly, immunized by the gods of sport, that everything can't stop overnight.
Cover photo: HRC
