Doohan wins Malaysian 500cc Grand Prix
Doohan wins Malaysian 500cc Grand Prix
SHAH ALAM, Malaysia (Reuter): Australian Michael Doohan snatched the chequered flag from race favorite John Kocinski of the United States in a surprise finish to the Malaysian 500 cc Motorcycling Grand Prix yesterday.
"It was pretty hot but I didn't think about the heat," Doohan said after his victory at Malaysia's Shah Alam racing circuit.
"We had some suspension and tire-combination problems but we worked on it this morning and the bike was running well," said Doohan.
He raced his Honda to victory in 47 minutes 36.874 seconds, with Kocinski, winner of the first race of the season in Eastern Creek, Australia, second in 47:42.099.
Japan's Shinchi Itoh, on a Honda, finished third in 47:44.852.
Starting from pole position, Kocinski took the early lead on his Cagiva but Doohan passed him on the seventh lap and never looked back.
Doohan, who has been troubled by injuries for the last 20 months, said the Shah Alam win had given him confidence for the season.
Kocinski hid his disappointment afterwards. "You can't always keep winning. I'm pleased with second place. The acceleration factor was a problem in the later stage of the race when the tires started going."
Yamaha's Luca Cadalora, who was second quickest in qualifying, was fourth in 47:45.789.
Kocinski still leads the world championship with 45 points while Doohan is second on 41.
Results 500 cc Race distance 115.665kms (33 laps) 1.Michael Doohan (Aus) Honda 47:36.874 2.John Kocinski (U.S.) Cagiva 47:42.099 3.Shinichi Itoh (Jap) Honda 47:44.852 4.Luca Cadalora (Ita) Yamaha 47:45.789 5.Alberto Puig (Spa) Honda 47:56.688 6.Kevin Schwantz (US) Suzuki 48:00.219 7.Alexandre Barros (Bra) Suzuki 48:01.928 8.Alex Criville (Spa) Honda 48:10.218 9.Doug Chandler (U.S.) Cagiva 48:17.105 10.Daryl Beattie (Aus) Yamaha 48:45.473
Leading world championship standings: 1.Kocinski 45 points 2.Doohan 41 3.Cadalora 33 4.Itoh 27 5.Schwantz 23 6.Puig 20 7.Criville 18 8.Barros 17 9.Chandler 14 10.John Reynolds (GB) 10
250cc : 1. Massimiliano Biaggi(Ita) Aprilia 45 mins 26.300 secs 2. Tadayuki Okada (Jap) Honda 45:32.108 3. Loris Capirossi (Ita) Honda 45:35.477 4. J.P. Ruggia (Fra) Aprilia 45:40.272 5. Doriano Romboni (Ita) Honda 45:56.083 6. Ralf Waldmann (Ger) Honda 45:57.337 7. Jean Michel Bayle (Fra) Aprilia 46:04.252 8. Luis L'Dantin (Spa) Honda 45:16.418 9. Wilco Zeelenberg (Net) Honda 46:19.684 10. Alessandro Gramigni(Ita) Aprilia 46:28.624