MOTORCYCLES : Schwantz Hopes to Keep U.S. Streak Alive

Kevin Schwantz’s fortunes at the U.S. Motorcycle Grand Prix have not been all bad, but they haven’t been very good, either.

In five races at Laguna Seca Raceway, the lanky world champion from Paige, Tex., has finished fifth, second, third and fourth, and he crashed while battling for the lead in 1990.

This year, more than ever, Schwantz wants his first victory here to stem the dominance of Mick Doohan, the Honda rider from Australia who took the world 500cc road racing championship away from him earlier. Doohan has won eight of the 11 races and a victory Sunday would end American rule of its home race.

Since the first modern-age USGP was held on the scenic 2.196-mile circuit through the hills of Monterey, no foreign rider has won. Eddie Lawson of Upland won the inaugural on a Yamaha, Wayne Rainey of Downey won the next three, all on Yamahas, and John Kocinski of Little Rock, Ark., won last year on a Cagiva.

“There’s so much competition out there it’s inevitable the Americans will lose one day, but I’d sure like to keep the streak going one more year,” Schwantz said after riding a lap Friday on his Suzuki at 91.241 m.p.h., fourth fastest among first day qualifiers.

Luca Cadalora of Italy, the No. 1 rider for Kenny Roberts’ team, surprised the international set by posting top speed of the day, 92.152. Defending champion Kocinski was next at 91.965, with Doohan third at 91.245. Another qualifying session today will set the field for Sunday’s 33-lap race.

“As much as keeping the streak going, I want to win because it’s a race I’ve never won,” Schwantz said. “I finished second and third behind Wayne (Rainey), but I came closest in 1990 when I fell trying to find a way to beat him.”

Schwantz was tucked in on Rainey’s tailpipe going into the last corner, four laps from the end, when he made a mistake and slid out. The fall broke his wrist, a chronic problem for Schwantz.

Shortly before this year’s opening race in Australia, where he was to open defense of his world championship, Schwantz fell while riding a mountain bicycle and broke his forearm.

“That set me back just when things were looking good for a big season,” he said.

Schwantz won the third race, in Japan, and after three consecutive seconds behind Doohan, appeared to be back in top condition. Then he fell in Holland and broke the wrist again.

Three races later, still riding with a cast, he won the British GP.

“If I can get a high enough finish Sunday to clinch second place in the standings, I may have surgery on the wrist so it will be ready when winter testing starts,” he said.

Schwantz was wearing a cast Friday and said, “The wrist doesn’t hurt nearly as much when I wear it.”

With three races remaining, he has 169 points to 123 for Alberto Puig of Spain, 122 for Alex Criville of Spain and 120 for Kocinski.

Italian Doriano Romboni, riding a Honda, set a track record of 90.451 m.p.h. in the 250cc class.