Motorcycling: Rainey reels in Doohan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.WAYNE RAINEY took full advantage of Michael Doohan's misfortune and threw the 500cc world championship race wide open yesterday by winning the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo to reduce the injured Australian's lead in the season's standings to just two points with one event remaining.
The American, riding a Yamaha, led from start to finish and won by more than 13 seconds. Doohan, riding for the first time since he broke his leg in the Dutch Grand Prix eight weeks ago and clearly feeling the effects of the injury, managed only 12th place on his Honda and did not pick up any points. After the race he said he was not giving up the title, and hoped to be much fitter for the final event, in South Africa next month.
Heavy rain on Saturday had cast doubt on whether the race could be held. Riders, furious about safety standards at the Interlagos circuit, said rain aggravated an already dangerous situation, but despite further heavy rain overnight, the track dried out during the morning.
Rainey was not threatened after putting distance between himself and the pack on the first lap. John Kocinski was second on a Yamaha and Doug Chandler completed an American 1-2-3 on a Suzuki in a race marked by caution.
BRAZILIAN 500cc GRAND PRIX (Sao Paulo, 28 laps, 121.8km, 75.7 miles): 1 W Rainey (US) Yamaha 48min 33.539sec (ave speed 149.563kph, 92.937mph); 2 J Kocinski (US) Yamaha 48:46.549; 3 D Chandler (US) Suzuki 48:54.294; 4 W Gardner (Aus) Honda 49:02.432; 5 M Du Hamel (Can) Yamaha 49:04.773; 6 A Criville (Sp) Honda 49:04.793; 9 N MacKenzie (GB) Yamaha 49:35.826.
World championship standings (after 12 rounds): 1 M Doohan (Aus) Honda 130pts; 2 Rainey 128; 3 Schwantz 91; 4 Chandler 84; 5 Kocinski 82; 6 Gardner 63.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments