Wayne Rainey rides the Yamaha YZR500 at the Goodwood Festival. The bike marked the third championship for the American rider, paralyzed from the chest down since 1993 due to an accident
Three times MotoGP world champion, the American Wayne Rainey had an emotional moment during the Goodwood Festival, in England, on Saturday (25). Paralyzed from the chest down since 1993, the former rider rode the Yamaha YZR500, the bike that won the 1993 world title.
"I was quite nervous about riding the YZR500, since when I rode the R1, it was all very sensitive, since today's motors carry a lot of electronic components. But a 500cc GP bike is a bit different," commented the 61-year-old American.
The YZR500 went through some modifications, with controls for the rear brake and gearbox relocated to the handlebars.
"It's always been a challenge to ride a bike at the level of fighting to win races and titles, but to be here 30 years later, to be able to get on the bike and ride it in an easy, nice, smooth setup has been fantastic. The bike was there for me then, and it's there for me today, so I'm thrilled," followed the three-time champion.
Champion in 1990, 1991, and 1992, Rainey crashed heavily at the 1993 Italian GP while leading the World Championship. After making a mistake, he fell after losing control of his bike and was thrown hard into the gravel. In addition to a punctured lung, he suffered a sixth vertebra injury and never regained movement from the chest down, ending his career.