→The Japanese withdraw: Huge mistakes were committed regarding the cost-saving rule applicable as from 1969. The way it was described was utterly false on all aspects, especially its timing.
After the withdrawal of Honda (and Bridgestone) after the 1966 season, Suzuki was the only Japanese firmsfirm fromentered in the 1967 50 cc category, atwinning each and every GP, often with a one-lap advantage on its closest competitors. At the end of [[19681967 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|19681967]], cost-saving technological restrictions were introduced by the FIM, to be applied as from 1969. It led Suzuki to retire as well, leaving factory machines and parts to Hans-Georg Anscheidt and Stuart Graham for the [[1968 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1968]]. Spanish rider [[Angel Nieto]] came to the fore, and between [[1969 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1969]] and [[1976 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1976]], won the championship six times. His season long battle for the [[1972 Grand Prix motorcycle racing season|1972]] championship with Dutchman [[Jan de Vries (motorcyclist)|Jan de Vries]], being perhaps the closest fought championship in any form of [[Motorcycle sport|motor racing]]. By the end of the season both riders were tied with equal points, an equal number of wins and an equal number of second-place finishes and the championship winner was determined by adding together and comparing the times for the six races in which the pair had been placed. Nieto was calculated to have won the title by 21½ seconds from his rival.