The 1989 Nations Grand Prix was one of the strangest and most ludicrous races of that season. It took place at the Misano race track where the riders had already expressed their worries about this particular track surface, considering it too slippery and even dangerous in wet conditions.

Thirty-three riders were on the grid at the start of the race, but after several laps it started raining and Kevin Schwantz who was in the lead, held up his hand and the race was flagged with the riders heading back to their garges supposedly to change to rain tires.

The riders called a meeting and decided they wanted a practice session before re-starting in the wet, but the request was refused by the race organizers and the top riders decided to boycott the race.

Notable boycotters would include top riders as Eddie Lawson, Mick Doohan, Kevin Schwantz, Randy Mamola, Freddy Spencer, Wayne Rainey and Ron Haslam.

Pierfrancesco Chili was one of ten riders who refused to join the picket line and went back to the grid and managed to finish and win his first GP, but with only four other riders crossing the finish line. The striking riders were outside their garages with Lawson sarcastically cheering and Sarron blowing kisses towards Chili.

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