Mick Doohan to ride RC213V at Phillip Island


"With Mick and Casey both on track, it will certainly be an exciting weekend for the Repsol Honda team" - Shuhei Nakamoto, Honda.



Motorcycle grand prix legend Mick Doohan will complete laps on Honda's latest RC213V during the Australian Grand Prix weekend at Phillip Island.

In an event that will see Casey Stoner make his final MotoGP appearance on home asphalt, countryman and former five-time 500cc world champion Doohan will turn back the clock with a series of demonstration runs.

All of Doohan's world championships, won consecutively from 1994-1998, and all 54 of his 500cc grand prix victories came on Honda machinery.

“The last time I rode a grand prix bike at all was in the mid-2000s in Japan so it's been a long while, and I'm really looking forward to it,” sad Doohan.

“The fans and the riders always enjoy getting down to the Island, so hopefully this year with Casey's retirement announcement, it's going to be a big event.

“It'll be good to play a little part in that, and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone down there.”

Doohan will familiarise himself with the 1000cc RC213V on the Saturday before the demonstration run on Sunday's race day.

Shuhei Nakamoto, executive vice-president of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), said the link between Australian champions of the past and present will be a special occasion.

“It is great to be able to provide such a tribute to an Australian world champion at his home grand prix. With Mick and Casey both on track, it will certainly be an exciting weekend for the Repsol Honda team,” he said.