Doohan dominant

MOTORCYCLING

Michael Doohan, the world 500cc champion, seeking his third successive win of the season, steered his Honda to the fastest lap in the opening practice session in Suzuka yesterday for tomorrow's Japanese Grand Prix.

The Australian, dominant this season after wins in Sydney and Malaysia, covered the 3.64-mile course in 2min 08.572sec.

Doohan's Honda team-mate, Shinichi Itoh, was second fastest, 0.977sec behind, and the Japanese Honda rider Takuma Aoki third in 2:09.626. Darryl Beattie, who has twice finished as runner-up to his countryman this season, was fifth in 2:09.667.

In the 250cc category, the former world champion, Tetsuya Harada, set the best practice time of 2:10.075 on a Yamaha, 0.185 ahead of title holder Massimiliano Biaggi. The world 125cc champion, Kazuto Sakata, led the class.

Details, Sporting Digest, page 47