 DOOHAN
RETIRES FROM RACING, DECEMBER 10th:
Australia's five-times 500cc motorcycle world champion Michael Doohan
today announced his retirement from racing due to injuries 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." |
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