Michael Doohan confident of winning Indonesian GP

JAKARTA (JP): World 500cc champion Michael Doohan of Australia said yesterday he was confident of winning the Indonesian motorcycle Grand Prix at Sentul, near Bogor on Sept. 28.

"I am confident of winning the Indonesian Grand Prix since I don't have a tough competitor," Doohan said.

He arrived here yesterday to defend his title in the 500cc class at the Sentul race.

Upon his arrival, he visited the Sentul circuit but did not practice.

Doohan, who rides for the Honda team, said that he wanted to go straight into the Sunday race rather than practice.

"My aim is to win the race so I don't need to do some practice," he said.

Doohan has won the world 500cc motorcycle championship four years consecutively since 1994.

His last victory was in Catulnya, Spain on Sept. 16. The Catulnyan race was his 12th this year.

The Catulnyan and other races have earned Doohan a total of 320 points.

With the 320 points, Doohan leads the world 500cc rankings. Noboatsu Aoki (Japan) is in second with 166, followed by Tadayuki Okada (Japan) 159, Alex Criville (Spain) 131 and Luca Cadalora (Spain).

In the Indonesian GP, Doohan will face stiff challenges from Alex Crivil of Spain, Norifume Abe (Japan), Kenny Roberts Jr. (USA), Jean-Michel Bayle (France) and Sete Gibernau (Netherlands).

In the Catulnyan race, Alex finished third behind Doohan after suffering a foot injury. Alex's compatriot Carlos Checa took second place.

Doohan clocked 44:56.149 followed by Carlos 44:56.581 and Alex 44:57.899.

Doohan's competitors all said Wednesday that it would be difficult to beat him.

Alex was the only rider to show he was confident.

"Now I am fit for the race and I hope I could compete with Doohan. I know it will be difficult to outwit Doohan but I will try my best," he said Wednesday.

Referring to reports that he would move to the Reiney team from his Honda team Doohan said: "All I want is to show my best performance with the Honda team.

"I have no intention yet to move to the Reinar team."

Asked if he would quit racing, he said that he planned to quit but didn't want to say when.

"Of course I want to quit from racing but I don't know when. I still love racing and will always devote myself in it."

The Indonesian GP will also see 250cc and 125cc races.

In the 250cc race, world champion Alex Biaggi of Italy will defend his title for the fourth time.

Biaggi is a member of the Marlboro team Kanebo and a former member of the Chesterfield Aprilla Team.

Biaggi said Wednesday that he had a good chance of winning the Indonesian GP and becoming a world champion.

He will be riding his new Honda NSR 250.

His main competitor will be Ralph Waldmann of Germany.

In the 125cc race, world champion Gary McRoy of the Marlboro Alfa Bleffe Team will definitely become the focus of attention as he trys to defend his title.

Vice President Try Sutrisno is expected to open the Indonesian GP. President Soeharto will attend the event.

In preparation for the Sunday championships, riders will be given the opportunity to practice this morning. Tomorrow they will fight for the pole positions. (lnt)