1979. Heikki at the age of 34. Unfortunately suffering from serious injuries, including his knee, Heikki could not defend his world title well. Had he been fit, nobody would have been able to tough him........    In 1979 Heikki is the only rider to gain double victories in the GP races. (Italy and Switzerland).
The 1979 500cc works Yamaha.
The 1979 500cc works Yamaha.
Heikki try's the state of the track, to get a good start.
February 4, 1979. International motocross at Venray, The Netherlands.
March 18, 1979. International motocross at Hoeselt, Belgium. After a fall Heikki by stretcher is taken  to the hospital of Mol, in Belgium.
March 1979. Heikki is been seriously injured at his right knee and in the hospital he's been treated by (wonder) doctor Derweduwen.
March 1979. In the hospital Heikki is recovering from his surgery. In spite of he knows that he must be missing the 1979 opening GP's, he still remains optimistic. Special thanks to Harry van Hemmen for sending this picture.
April 22, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Sittendorf, Austria.
April 22, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Sittendorf, Austria.
April 22, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Sittendorf, Austria. However what nobody could expect happens. Heikki Mikkola arrives for the first GP but because of the pain in his knee he can't score any points.
April 22, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Sittendorf, Austria.
April 22, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Sittendorf, Austria.
April 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Thouars, France.
April 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Thouars, France.
April 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Thouars, France. Graham Noyce (23), Jean Jacques Bruno (18) and Heikki Mikkola (far left). Heikki is far from complete recovering, but still he scored 18 world championship points, he becomes fourth and third in the heats.
May 13, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Huskvarna, Sweden.
May 13, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Huskvarna, Sweden.
May 13, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Huskvarna, Sweden. Although Heikki isn't fully fit as yet, he still manages to score a third and a second place.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy. Heikki, in the first moto, in a great battle with Graham Noyce and Roger DeCoster.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy. Start second moto. Far right Brad Lackey with next to him Heikki Mikkola.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy. Special thanks to Joan Progin, from Switzerland, for using this picture. Look at: http://mxpro.ch
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy. Heikki wins both heats.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy. Heikki and Brad Lackey after the first moto.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy.
May 27, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Faenza, Italy. In Italy they knows how to appreciate a GP winner. Special thanks to Harry van Hemmen for sending this picture.
June 10, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Carlsbad, United States. Heikki (1) takes the lead from the start and comes 2nd in the second moto.
June 10, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Carlsbad, United States. A few seconds later: André Vromans comes alongside. (special thanks to Jeff Grismer from the Carlsbad Raceway USA)
June 10, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Carlsbad, United States.
June 10, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Carlsbad, United States.
June 10, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Carlsbad, United States.
June 17, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Mosport, Canada. Riders paddock: The monocross shock absorber were replaced. (special thanks to Claude Giguere from Canada, for sending this picture)
June 17, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Mosport, Canada. Heikki's works Yamaha, ready for the big batlle. (special thanks to Claude Giguere from Canada, for sending this picture)
June 17, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Mosport, Canada.
June 17, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Mosport, Canada. Heikki prepare themselves for the race. (special thanks to Claude Giguere from Canada, for sending this picture)
June 17, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Mosport, Canada. Heikki on his way to the start. (special thanks to Claude Giguere from Canada, for sending this picture)
June 24, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Beuern, Germany. Here Heikki explains what went wrong one week earlier in Mosport, Canada. Special thanks to Harry van Hemmen for sending this picture.
June 24, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Beuern, Germany.
June 24, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Beuern, Germany. Because of the pain in his chest Heikki scores any points. Special thanks to Harry van Hemmen for sending this picture.
July 1, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Farleigh Castle, England.
July 1, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Farleigh Castle, England.
July 1, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Farleigh Castle, England.
July 1, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Farleigh Castle, England. Spectacular action of Heikki.
July 1, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Farleigh Castle, England.
July 1, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Farleigh Castle, England.
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland. André Malherbe (5), Roger DeCoster (4), Graham Noyce (21) and Heikki Mikkola (1).
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland. Special thanks to Ari Nassi, from Finland, for using this picture. Look at: http://picasaweb.google.com/arinassi
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland. Again Heikki wins both heats.
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland. Special thanks to Ari Nassi, from Finland, for using this picture. Look at: http://picasaweb.google.com/arinassi
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland.
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland.
July 8, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Payerne, Switzerland. The official is a  true Mikkola fan. He jumps for joy when Heikki is first to pass the chequered flag. This shall be the last GP victory out of the impressive career of Heikki Mikkola.
July 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Markelo, the Netherlands. Heikki still in conversation with Graham Noyce just before the start.
July 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Markelo, the Netherlands.
July 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Markelo, the Netherlands.
July 29, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Markelo, the Netherlands. Heikki comes third twice. In the overall score he also comes third, behind Graham Noyce (left) and Gerrit Wolsink (in the middle).
August 5, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Namur, Belgium. Magnificent action of Heikki.
August 5, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Namur, Belgium.
August 12, 1979. Grand Prix 500cc at Ettelbrück, Luxembourg. Heikki Mikkola rides his last GP and finishes his brilliant career with a 10th and a 4th place in the heats. The GP scene loses Heikki and with it one of the greatest riders in the history of motocross.
Heikki Mikkola in 1979.
Graham Noyce and Heikki Mikkola, the new and the old World Champion. Thanks to Guy Jamar for this picture. www.heikkimikkola.be
Heikki and Graham again.
Picture from The AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Look at: http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?RacerID=383
The Lone Wolf.