FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10: Australia's five-times 500cc motorcycle world champion
Michael Doohan today announced his retirement from racing due to
njuries received in a crash in Spain seven months ago.
The 34-year-old said his decision had been prompted by continued delays in his
recovery, despite corrective surgery and an intensive rehabilitation program
since he crashed his Repsol Honda on May 7 at Jerez during qualifying for the
Spanish Grand Prix.
"I had hoped to continue racing, but unfortunately it's not possible," said
Doohan.
"Since the crash I've had three operations and I've done everything I can to
get back to full fitness. Now I've got to accept that my body is not up to
racing a 500 again."
Doohan, 500cc world champion for five successive years between 1994-98, said
he would remain involved in grand prix racing in 2000, and his new role was
expected to be announced by Honda Racing Corporation in January.
"I've been with Honda since I started in 500s 11 years ago and our association
will continue in the future even though I won't be racing," he said. "Honda
will announce their plans in January."
Doohan made 137 starts in the 500cc world championship on Hondas from 1989 up
to his 200-km/h crash at Jerez before the third round of this year's series.
He recorded 54 grand prix wins, second only to Italian Giacomo Agostini who
had 68 victories, and also had 95 top-three podium finishes and 58 pole
positions as fastest qualifier.
After the crash at Jerez, Doohan travelled to the United States for corrective
surgery and rehabilitation under the direction of American orthopaedic
specialists.
"Initially the injuries were diagnosed as a broken leg, shoulder, and wrist,
but there was also considerable soft tissue and nerve damage that delayed my
comeback," said Doohan.
"This is what has ended my career."
"I've damaged some nerves and the result is continuing and probable permanent
loss of strength and some function in my left arm."
"My right leg is healing satisfactorily, but again the soft tissue damage may
be a permanent problem."
"I also have some cruciate ligament damage in my left knee and fortunately
the operation I've had appears to have been successful."
Doohan was one of Australia's most decorated athletes of the 1990s. He was
awarded the Order of Australia in 1996, and was Australian Male Athlete of the
Year in 1995-96-97.
This year he was one of only seven Australians among 89 nominations for the
'World Sports Awards of the Century' in Vienna, Austria.
Doohan, who started competitive racing in mini-bike events in Brisbane in the
early 1970s, said that while he was disappointed injuries had forced him to
retire, he was satisfied with his achievements.
"Not many people get into a sport because they love it and then make a living
out of it, but I was lucky enough to do that," he said.
"When I started racing I did not expect to win 50-odd grand prix races or five
world championships, so I feel fortunate to have achieved what I've done."
"I never had a problem with motivation because of the enjoyment that came with
racing motorcycles."
"If I miss anything it will be the competition, and getting out there and
going for the win."
"I've had to make some sacrifices, but you have to do that to be successful at
anything. I didn't get into the sport to make a name for myself - I just
wanted to race, and to win."
Doohan heaped praise on HRC, his Honda team which was managed by South
Australian Jerry Burgess throughout his 500cc career, and Italian-born Grand
Prix Medical Officer Dr Claudio Costa for assisting his recovery from serious
leg injuries in 1992.
"Without the support I've had from Honda and my team I'd be nothing," said
Doohan.
"They gave me a competitive bike week-in and week-out and without that you
can't win anything."
"Dr Costa saved my leg back in '92, and patched me up so I could race again
when at one stage they were talking about amputating it'."
Doohan pinpointed clinching the 1998 world championship title by winning the
500cc Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island as the highlight of his career.
"To win the championship and the Australian Grand Prix the same day was an
incredible feeling," he said.
"The spectators jumped the fences and went down to the edge of the track and
it's something I'll never forget."
Doohan thanked the public for its support during his career, both in
Australia and overseas.
"It doesn't matter where you are racing there's always someone there in the
crowd with an Australian flag or a banner," he said. "The support I've had
over the years has been fantastic."
During Doohan's career grand prix motorcycle racing has become a popular
Australian sport, through his exploits and those of 1987 world champion Wayne
Gardner, and Kevin Magee and Daryl Beattie, who also won 500cc races.
"Our sport has come a long way and now it's up to the young guys coming
through to keep it up there," he said.
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