17-year-old Dave Strjbos got off to a flying start with Honda. Among other things, he won the season opener in the mud of Oss (Netherlands) and also showed impressive form in the following races in Belgium (Hoesselt) and Spain. After the 5th GP (Austria/Salzburgring), he led the world championship with a solid lead. But on the tough tracks in San Marino and Holzgerlingen, the sand specialist struggled with crashes and the pressure weighing on him. Vehkonen overtook him in the standings. He then won in Finland and was almost back on par before the decisive races in South America. But in Argentina, he lost seven points to Vehkonen behind the two Cagiva riders. Even a race win in Brazil was no longer enough.