Carl Fogarty and Scott Russell had demonstrated their talent in sporadic appearances throughout 1992, and they were the obvious choices for full-time roles at Ducati and Kawasaki respectively in 1993. The factory Ducati pairing of Fogarty and Giancarlo Falappa won 18 of 26 races and earned Falappa status as a legendary talent in wet-weather races. Russell put relentless pressure on Fogarty for the entire year, and when Fogarty made costly mistakes at Sugo and Donington Russell was there to capitalise. Both had a chance to win the title at the final round in Mexico City, until a catastrophic display of disorganisation from the organisers led the riders to boycott the final round after encountering trucks, dogs and footballs on the track during practice. Fogarty lost his chance to challenge for the title, forced to take 2nd behind Russell whose first title was also the first for Kawasaki. Mexico was an undignified end to a championship that now boasted live television coverage of every race and a "rivalry" between its leading riders that was hungrily devoured by the British media and spectators.