Aussie Motorcyclist Doohan Favored to Win U.S. Grand Prix
Australian Mick Doohan, who ended one United States motorcycle winning streak when he clinched the world 500cc championship two weeks ago, will try to end another one this weekend.
No foreign rider has won the United States Grand Prix in five tries at Laguna Seca Raceway, but Doohan will be favored when Round 12 of the 14-race FIM world championship series is run on the 2.196-mile circuit. Eddie Lawson won in 1988, Wayne Rainey in 1989, ’90 and ’91 and John Kocinski last year. There was no race in 1992.
Doohan clinched his first world title when he won the Czech Republic GP, ending a streak of six U.S. champions: Lawson, 1988-89, Rainey, 1990-92 and Kevin Schwantz, 1993. The victory was Doohan’s eighth this year.
Last year at Laguna Seca, the 29-year-old Australian was leading with seven laps to go when he fell and gave the lead to Kocinski.
Qualifying will start today for the 500, 250 and 125 world championship classes, with finals in all three on Sunday.
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