Section 1 - the history of the World Championship An overview of when, why and how the World Motorcycle Championships were formed in 1949 The dominance of British riders and manufacturers in the 1950s The arrival of the Italian manufacturers The Japanese invasion of the 1960s The change in the sport in the 1970s, moving away from public road circuits to man-made short circuits The arrival of the Americans Section 2- the 1980s An overview of the World Championship in the 1980s, focusing on the 500cc class and the dominance of American riders but also looking at the smaller classes and how Spain and Italy reigned supreme. The Rivalries Kenny Roberts - Barry Sheene Anton Mang - Jon Ekerold Kenny Roberts - Freddie Spencer Freddie Spencer - Eddie Lawson Eddie Lawson - Wayne Gardner Eddie Lawson - Wayne Rainey Wayne Rainey - Kevin Schwantz The Riders - as above plus Franco Uncini Marco Lucchinelli Randy Mamola Ron Haslam Carlos Lavado Sito Pons Juan Garriga Luca Cadalora Angel Nieto Christian Sarron Niall Mackenzie Rob McElnea John Kocinski Teams Gallina Suzuki HB Suzuki/HB Honda Marlboro Yamaha Gauloises Yamaha Lucky Strike Yamaha Rothmans Honda Pepsi Suzuki Section Three - the 1990s An overview of the World Championship in the 1990s, focusing on the 500cc class and the dominance of Michael Doohan and Australia; the retirement of the American greats; the lack of British riders; the emergence of mainland Europe as a force in 500cc racing; the change in riding styles; the threat from World Superbikes The Rivalries Kevin Schwantz - Wayne Rainey Michael Doohan - Max Biaggi Michael Doohan - Alex Criville Alex Criville - Kenny Roberts jnr The riders Eddie Lawson Wayne Gardner John Kocinski Doug Chandler Tadayuki Okada Daryl Beattie Luca Cadalora Alex Barros Carlos Checa Teams Marlboro Yamaha Rothmans Honda Repsol Honda Lucky Strike Suzuki Movistar Suzuki Cagiva Red Bull Yamaha Section Four - the 2000s An overview of the World Championship in the 2000s, the move away from two-strokes to four-strokes; the emergence, dominance and longevity of Valentino Rossi; the hierarchy/promotion from Moto3 to Moto2 and then MotoGP; the demise of the USA as a force in MotoGP Rivalries Kenny Roberts jnr - Valentino Rossi Valentino Rossi - Max Biaggi Valentino Rossi - Sete Gibernau Valentino Rossi - Casey Stoner Valentino Rossi - Jorge Lorenzo Valentino Rossi - Marc Marquez Carlos Checa Loris Capirossi Nicky Hayden Colin Edwards Dani Pedrosa Maverick Vinales Cal Crutchlow Andrea Dovizioso Troy Bayliss James Toseland Teams Marlboro Yamaha Red Bull Yamaha Repsol Honda Camel Honda Gresini Honda Aprilia Racing Team KR Pons Honda Movistar Suzuki Marlboro Ducati Fiat Yamaha Section Five - the circuits An overview of the race circuits used in the World Championship, looking at the road circuits used in the 1950s and 1960s (e.g. TT, Ulster GP, Nurburgring) and how the calendar expanded from Europe-based to North/South America, Asia, Australasia and Africa; the dominance of Spanish and Italian circuits on the calendar; a focus on Assen in Holland, the only circuit to be used every year since 1949 Donington Park (1980s-Present) Silverstone (1980s-Present) Assen (1980s-Present) Spa (1980-1990) Salzburgring (1980-1990) Paul Ricard (1980-1990) Le Mans (1990-Present) Nurburgring (1980-1990s) Hockenheim (1980-1990s) Sachsenring (1997-Present) Jerez (1987-Present) Valencia/Catalunya/Aragon Misano (1980s-Present) Mugello (mid-1990s-Present) Phillip Island (1989-Present) Laguna Seca (1988-2000s) Indianapolis (2000s-Present) Section Six - World and British Superbikes A look at the World and British Superbike Championships, especially the former which started out as a ''retirement home'' for former MotoGP riders, then became a bigger, more popular series than MotoGP, and is now effectively a feeder series to MotoGP.