Best Ever MotoGP Qualifying Lap Mick Doohan TT Assen June 26 1998 YT

The qualifying session is stopped because off the crash with Ralf Waldmann. There is only 2 minutes and 12 seconds left off qualifying time. Still this is enough for Mick Doohan and he is going for the pole position. Watch and enjoy!

[@nickwilliams1065]

I always remember a reporter asking Doohan about not looking behind him during the race. His sardonic reply was " the race track is in front of me and who ever is behind me is second, not first"

[@peterbalac1915]

😂😂brilliant 👏👏

[@The_Slavstralian]

No point worrying about who is behind you.

[@CaptainScarlet1961]

I became life threateningly ill in 98 & these guys helped pull me through it by giving me something to look forward to, I'm so eternally grateful to them for that :-)

[@PeppyZeb]

Glad your here today!

[@CaptainScarlet1961]

@@PeppyZeb: Thank you, I'd rather die trying than not try at all.

[@timwilkinson2797]

Hope your good now fellal ! Best wish's to you ( UK )

[@gregorymcn1894]

All the best,

[@bh2861]

What happened smoking hot

[@pinslayer4579]

Doohan unbelievably smooth riding a supposedly unrideable monster..... Truly the golden age of moto GP all of the men who rode in the two stroke era are super human in my mind.

[@zacharyradford5552]

Had to be smooth. Marquez is spectacular to watch but if he tried his style on bikes like that he’d probably never finish a season.

[@kingdomcome1617]

GP and F1 and arguably Nascar if you are into that kind of thing. 90's were an interesting time. There was enough tech to make the machines remarkably fast and agile but not too much that might get in the way of a master having full reign to work his craft. Definitely dangerous, but that's motorsports.

[@cameronhicks5225]

It honestly makes no sense how beautifully these dudes move these machines

[@giuseppecipriano4495]

​@@zacharyradford5552esattamente 👌

[@stephenramia1533]

I agree The late 80s and 90s were the best racing times for all motorsport ​@@kingdomcome1617

[@johnj3577]

Doohan was such a cool, chilled guy but awesomely fast. I remember reading an article he wrote about a lap of a circuit (can't remember which one now) but the detail in it was staggering. Every inch of that lap he knew what his tyres were doing, how much brake pressure and throttle he was putting in, how much wheelspin he could get away with, how much speed he could scrub off by sliding the bike, which tyre was sliding and when etc etc. I remember thinking how fast these guy's minds must work while racing yet they are so chilled in normal life. Amazing talent and an awesome era.

[@pbysome]

Nigel mansell reckons it's all in slow motion. Didn't he have the rear brake on the handle bar?

[@paulgrey8028]

@@pbysome yes. Mick Doohan had the rear brake lever on the handle bar after an horrific accident that messed up his right leg really bad [IIRC, at the time it was said that it was a miracle that doctors were able to save his leg] That he came back and adjusted after that horrific injury is testament to his riding skills and determination. I've always held Gardner and Casey Stoner in high regard who were amongst the best riders of their time but Doohan will always be my all time favourite rider.

[@jamesd2128]

What a great reminder of just how brutally fast Mick Doohan really was, absolute legend.

[@StFidjnr]

In the decade that there's mick doohan....... And then there's the field

[@cbk222]

He is still my favorite rider.... I never get tired of watching him win..

[@sugarnads]

The man. The absolute fucking legend.

[@MrBenHaynes]

I don't know if patriotism clouds my judgement, but Mickey D will always be the G.O.A.T. for me!

[@pabloperez4063]

He was ThE MÁRQUEZ of ThE 90's !

[@chrisdunham7169]

Big ups to Simon, a real sportsman.

[@markbenson7749]

0

[@gangoffour6690]

@@markbenson7749 🤣 👍

[@Fauxjob]

RIP Ralf Waldmann and Norick Abe, both great guys who died much too early off the track, not in racing. Quick Mick is the legend, Simon the gentleman, the 90's were an awesome time for MotoGP.

[@johnj3577]

Oh I never knew Abe had passed. very sad to learn that. I remember him running up to the camera in the UK one time after being asked 'how was your session?' and he just said "Its bloody laining!". Made my Dad who had no interest in racing laugh out loud and then we watched the race together after (the only one my Dad really ever watched).

[@UnleashedCode]

Crafar.... a true gentleman.... pretty masterful display by Doohan

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

Something I miss with modern drivers and riders...

[@sugarnads]

Simon crafar, kevin mcgee, great riders, great competitors with no bullshit antics.

[@Pagai]

so true.

[@motogplounge6305]

@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X just stfu. just making up bs for no reason. why?

[@mixmastermootree]

@@motogplounge6305 ssssshhhhhhhhh Simon is loverly

[@peterward9125]

Born to race and in a sport of overly inflated egos a truly humble bloke. How many title's would he have won if he hadn't of badly injured himself..LEGEND!!

[@demonmonsterdave]

Who were the inflated ego?

[@maccamacca7762]

Crafar what a great display of sportsmanship. Mick, well what can you say....legend.

[@AussieBattler46]

Doohan on a 500cc unbeatable in his era . Absolutely incredible

[@rparello]

His riding style was so classy. He rode the bike, no elbows or shoulders on the ground, no body out of the bike, no advanced electronics, no seamless gears. Pure talent, and that's it.

[@windtoday]

Absolutely

[@michaelharris4651]

The GOAT 👍🇦🇺

[@neghentropia]

Is elbow on the ground not "classy", now?

[@tonyb9735]

@@neghentropia It was a statement borne of ignorance. The best riders in every generation ride the way they do because it maximises what they can get out of their bikes. Currently, getting your body low and elbows to the ground helps stall the aerodynamic flow from the wings on the inside, which sounds counterintuitive, but which improves front tyre grip and therefore gives performance gains.

[@wulltaylor]

@tonyb ignorance? Why was his comment born of ignorance?

[@V.D.22]

Old riding style, old Assen.......gold!

[@zoedaemon4940]

Elbow down not yet born, right ?

[@wanr5701]

No leg dangle... Miss those days.

[@vladimirzimonja8103]

Ohhh yes!!!

[@vladimirzimonja8103]

Couldn't agree more,cutting up those tracks was and still is blasphemy or whatever that word is spelled.

[@unbiasedcobra6672]

Don't forget the sound of big bore 2 strokes. Edit: for the losers that have to have everything exactly perfect, don't forget the big cc two strokes.

[@MiticoRaimond]

Not enough words to decribe it. First of all, unbelievable Doohan's performance. Secondly, infinite respecto for Simon Crafar, true sportsman. And finally, Dennis Noyes at the microphone, probably the best comentator ever. Just amazing.

[@demonmonsterdave]

Infinite? Really?

[@josesardinas7660]

Years after Doohan retired, I still believe he's been the best ever. Watching this guy ride was peak fun, all the time. Pitty what MotoGP has become 😞

[@colinstewart1432]

Today is tame stuff by comparison. Traction Control was nonexistent then.

[@fredf9990]

the young gen who claim Rossi or MM are the GOATS, clearly have no concept of how UTTERLY DOMINANT Doohan was , even AFTER he nearly lost his leg. !!!!!!

[@josesardinas7660]

@@fredf9990 Damn! He had so much metal inside his body, I doubt he could ever go through TSA! Just imagining how much that should HURT and still seeing him winning makes you believe Aussies are actually made different!! 🙂

[@JoeAriminvm]

Rest in peace Norifumi!

[@williamrae9954]

Same Ralf Waldmann

[@robertrishel3685]

I remember watching this live on TV, the man is a legend. Absolute legend👍

[@sky-fj8sb]

So glad, i grew up watching this!!

[@BroqHans]

Crafar thinking 'No worries, mate. I'll come back in 20 years and comment on this!'

[@peterweeden6203]

Mick is a living legend of the sports world full stop.

[@craigdonovan4277]

Agree. He is up there with Jordan et al.

[@joker14n]

Simon is just a wonderfully positive person. Love to see him in the pits asking questions. And Mick..what’s to say..superhero maybe.. Moto GP is the best

[@jjstewart2120]

Abe's destinctive cornering and flowing locks .miss that guy !..DOOHAN. AUSSI COOLNESS!:)

[@PowerslideSWE]

I was just gonna write that, bolt upright and the hair in the wind. R.I.P Norick.

[@thodorossrx600]

The way that Doohan was riding back in 98 was like it took his bicycle went for a ride in a park and came back home with out a single drop of sweat!and those 2 strokes was beast compare to 2022 bikes!

[@paulsouth4794]

Always loved whatching mick . True sportman and gentleman

[@stevelawrie9115]

Mr Doohan, my all time favourite :)

[@sterlingarcher1962]

What an absolute gem! I was there that day and never actually got to see this... heard all about it the rest of the weekend but never saw it till just now. Can't tell you what it means to me to watch this, thanks for posting it!!!

[@vrossi2596]

Awesome.. no traction control or over complicated electrics , just a raw 500cc bad ass bike and rider.. Thanks for your upload 😁

[@mattjacomos2795]

remember he hated that track too!

[@vrossi2596]

@@mattjacomos2795 he sure did, almost wrecked his career, mick just hated coming 2nd lol. i'm just hoping that young jorge martin might be able to hassle M Marquez this weekend.. something to actually look forward to 👍

[@johnsmith-hi4kk]

@@vrossi2596 and also V Rossi stepping dpwn to give his bike to a rider who knows how to twist the throttle

[@vrossi2596]

@@johnsmith-hi4kk nah being too harsh there.. 9 world title's isn't to be sniffed at 👍

[@johnsmith-hi4kk]

@@vrossi2596 typical for a VR fan to make this post about him

[@chrisheggie952]

So, so many anecdotes about Mick Doohan. I met him three times and he was the consummate gentleman but only for as long as he needed. He was always more comfortable in his own company I think. When asked by a journalist why he went back to the screamer his reply was that anyone could ride the Honda big bang engine (and it was reconned to be quicker as a consequence) and he wanted to prove it was his own riding that put him out front. Few would argue. Another piece of tech he eschewed was the quick shifter and HRC telemetry indicated he was quicker at shifting than Creville even without it.

[@bminifie]

I remember watching this at the time. Doohan deserves his place in history

[@uweclaunitzer7170]

Thanks a lot for sharing this epic moment of 500 cc racing. I take my hat off to all those great riders of that era, especially Mick. Btw, it is still shocking to me that Waldmann and Abe are no longer with us!

[@Krouger_S6team]

I respect Doohan was my hero when I was a kid , and it is still after so many years .. I still remember the first time I learned a clutch on a motorcycle which was my dream were the Ηonda NSR 250rr SP Gullarm Dry Clutch MC21 1993 I kept it for 6 years (together I bought racing jacket repsol I still have it in the closet) After so many years and having driving too many motorcycles normal and tuned and drag (and yes I like road race) I still like it way guidance/positioning and sound of the dry clutch of NSR 250 .. sorry for the bad English , I im from Greece and i we don't talk often (only single terminology)

[@AAARREUUUGHHHH]

Your English is fine, mate. Perfectly understandable. The NSR is a cool bike

[@joker14n]

Anybody who loves to ride knows exactly what you’re saying..sounds perfect to me 👍

[@GUNNERSIGHTZEROED]

Always under rated. Mick Doohan the legend. Awesome 500 Legend.

[@bremCZ]

Under rated? Doohan?

[@thehandleiwantedwasntavailable]

Stupid comment. Doohan is universally considered a legend.

[@VMVarga-yf6eg]

I was in the Netherlands and watched this live, one of my best memories from Mick Doohan, thanks for uploading

[@bloffs3352]

So I must have been living under a rock. I love Simon commentating on the Motogp but did not know until I watched this that he was a GP500 rider. I thought he was just a technical guy. Even more respect for him now and so gracious in his respect for Mick.

[@SuperLoffe]

I remember watching this on eurosport. Doohan is so cool!

[@big500]

Brilliant....and RIP Ralf Waldmann, a great 250 rider.

[@Team-fabulous]

Crafar, a gent. Doohan was always epic... A wonderful era in Grand Prix racing... Fantastic

[@billwelter4101]

So relaxed, great ride. No "backing into the corner" or sliding around, back then. But a 200 HP 2-stroke 500! Must have been quite a bike to ride!

[@zacharyradford5552]

That because if you tried that your gonna get a trip to hospital.

[@HepauDK]

No sliding around? One of the reasons "Quick Mick" Doohan was so fast, was because he was a true master of power steering. Much of the time, the rear wheel was pointing in a different direction than front round corners, which made him corner faster. :)

[@johnj3577]

@@HepauDK Indeed, I read a great article he wrote about a typical lap, in which he explained that although he looks smooth, the front or rear (or both at the same time) are ALWAYS sliding on a lap, even on the straights.

[@zachtimms04]

@Neil Lin 185 140kg wet

[@nealefrazer4247]

Doohan ,can ride a bike 👏👏

[@mashed9603]

Brilliant. Thanks for posting

[@grahamsmith2022]

Mighty Mick puts the hammer down,when Wayne was injured,Mick was in a league of his own.

[@raimondtutu3248]

Master Dennis Noyes on mic... for sure the best commentator ever! Doohan's lap... just perfect.

[@cecilwilson5442]

Most probably the best 500 rider of the era,, others were great,, but with the injury he suffered and to do with what he did,, amazing stuff and thanks for the video awesome viewing ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️from Northern Ireland

[@christianmadsen7997]

Rainey was nasty too😉🏁

[@Landonmoto39]

This is when GP was made for REAL riders..

[@stuie46]

Great time for MotoGP especially with Toby, Randy & Julian commentating.

[@tibozino1671]

I was there. From 85 till half way 90's, awesome memories

[@peterbalac1915]

What a lap and what a lineup, like a knife through butter LEGEND 🙏

[@DanielPerry660]

Crazy to see how much the riding positions have changed over the years

[@redryderaus]

That was an absolute masterclass from one of the greatest there will ever be. Wow!

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Lots of big GP names, 500cc 2-strokes, the old assen circuit. Awesome. I dig the new bikes and riders too, but this is great to watch.

[@robsnodgrass915]

Wow, Abe. Now that was a hot rider!

[@bluespig1]

Many don't know that Micks 5 World Championships all came after he nearly lost his leg in very early 90's. The doctors in Assen nearly cost him his leg with their ignorance & arrogance. Eventually, Mick got to his own Doctor who sewed the badly injured leg to the good leg for two weeks to keep blood flow in the injury. Prior to that, the leg was black & dying, and as more dead & decaying flesh was removed, they were down to bone, screws & plates, hence the sewing two legs together. The fact that he could walk again, let alone ride, let alone win 5 x GP championships speaks volumes. Whilst riders like Rossi are great, Doohan rode in a time when the bikes were much more dangerous, as well as the courses. More skill was required to pilot the NSR's of the day,where as these days it is all very sanitised. Push,push push until the tyres give away, is very much what GP is all about these days. Electronics and rider aids have turned me off GP and onto irish road racing, IOMTT, NW200, UlsterGP etc. These are the real racers, riding real race bikes. GP & F1 are both boring & predictable, with the same results over & over. Try this instead @kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYOzqYxvZ9NloKc

[@zacharyradford5552]

Almost lost his leg came back to finishing the last two races and STILL finished 2nd in points just 4 behind Wayne Rainey. Mick in my opinion is the greatest of all time his leg was never truly fixed and he still dominated. No doubt in my mind he would have eclipsed Rossi in stats.

[@kenmunoz8517]

In his day Mick was an animal! Today’s generation will never understand the skill required to ride the 500cc two-stroke GP bike of yesteryear... before anti-lock, anti-wheelie, anti-skid, anti-everything. These machines were BRUTAL!

[@stevejeffery77]

So true these things were insane!! And he was one of a few that could absolutely ride the wheels off it!!!

[@mikeconlin9406]

Agreed on all counts. Mick was an absolute beast on a 500cc. And let's not forget. Tough as f-ing nails.

[@craigdonovan4277]

Lets not forget he had his bike modified as his leg was shattered and couldnt change gears with foot gears.

[@mikeconlin9406]

@@craigdonovan4277 Hey Craig. I believe Doohan mangled is right leg in a crash at Assen 1992. That affected his ability to use the foot pedal for the rear brake. So Honda and Mick adopted a thumb actuated rear break lever on the left clip on right under the clutch lever. As far as I know. Mick had no issues with the leg he shifts with.

[@damarfadlan9251]

I miss the classic Mick Doohan.

[@andyfearn6609]

Gem of an upload thanks for posting..... How good was the commentary on Eurosport back then.... Happy days

[@ryanpierce9793]

@5:10 , looks like Simon says, "That's fuching awesome, man" , mad respect between riders :) .

[@bremCZ]

Awesome reaction by Crafar!

[@user-dk3xe3lg5c]

Doohan is a god amongst men That’s an NSR500 Mick tamed it for so many years

[@90MinutenLang020Damsko]

In the 90s i've watched all the races, 500cc 250cc 125cc and man i hated Doohan, because he was winning everything! Now when i look back i can only 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@emlix1]

Even at that speed he looks totally relaxed.

[@makan1568]

You could recognize Norifumi Abe from the distance. His style was unique. R.I.P. my friend.

[@moe2470]

He,s a legend.

[@Ronycoolman00]

Mighty Mick Doohan legend!!! Simon Crafar always classy but beaten by an absolute immortal of the sport.

[@malteopeter8292]

Mick the legend :)

[@GaryKari]

Nice old and long Assen... best track.

[@AlonsoRules]

the new Assen is the worst track on the schedule after Misano

[@jbeldman7388]

New Assen gives us the best races! The Dutch TT is always a spectacular race! But the old layout was gold!

[@GaryKari]

@@jbeldman7388: agreed

[@Showmetheevidence-]

The old, flowing assen was awesome for GP and WSBK bikes!

[@StarkRaven59]

After '92, Mick always seemed to take Assen as a declaration of war.

[@alistairharris7891]

Now Simon is a moto gp commentator

[@alanjwilley3021]

Mighty Mick, not bad for a one legged man.

[@ogsam4409]

Mighty Mick!

[@sp1pilot]

It's amazing to see how riding technique and style has changed over the last 30 years.

[@lukebrennan5780]

4-stroke instead of 2-stroke, totally different power, different braking, traction control means no clutch versus all done by clutch. Wide band of power versus narrow 9-12k. A *lot* of changes. Nevertheless, Doohan was simply The Greatest of them all.

[@ropany]

@@lukebrennan5780 great? yes; greatest? I'm not sure: there is a rider who has raced both in the 2-stroke (on 125, 250, 500) and 4-stroke era (on 800 and 1000), mastering totally different power deliveries, different brakings, manual clutch or electronic traction controls, on bikes from different manufacturers, with tyres in different sizes and from different manufacturers too, in a span of 24 years, taking 9 championships in the process... there is another rider who won on 2-stroke as well as 4-stroke bikes, 350 as well as 500s, from two different factories, and won 15 championships: the fact that he did so while never injuring himself also says a lot about his prowess... Do I have to say the names?

[@lukebrennan5780]

@@ropany you have your opinion. You can think whatever you like. Doohan was simply The Best. Sorry if that upsets you!

[@ropany]

@@lukebrennan5780 everybody can think whatever they like of course: the difference is between opinions based on nothing but preferences (why would yours on Doohan upset someone?) and others based on facts. Rossi inherited Doohan's bike and was winning as much as he did while at Honda; Marquez won more than Mick, and at a time when Honda is not the best bike anymore; in my personal opinion Stoner too, even with less championships, was more talented than Doohan. this doesnt mean that my respect for Mick is anything but huge ..

[@gph42]

Tremendous! What a legend!

[@fastasfox]

Anyone else miss the two stroke era?

[@gangoffour6690]

Doohan, Master Blaster

[@neilr4867]

Crafar proving he was no joke back in the day.

[@wheelie63]

that particular NSR, with Doohan onboard ........was a HELL of a bike........SCREAMER indeed............it really is no wonder he won 5 in a row.........could have been 7 or 8.......wb

[@michaelmarshall1713]

Yes he could have done six if not the broken leg.

[@SvenTviking]

The fact was that the Screamer gave no advantage. Mick only requested that engine firing order because he was the only guy who could ride it. In previous seasons, everybody had switched to “Big band” engines where all four cylinders fired very close together because they gave better traction, drive and less high sides. Mick knew he could ride the non big bang Screamer, and if other teams followed, their screamers would spit their riders off. And they did.

[@michaelmarshall1713]

@@SvenTviking He was a master like Spencer was when he wanted a V4 . Doohan looks so smooth on this and I have not seen any current day rider look that smooth and their machines .

[@leightri]

Simon Crafar lost pole position but is a class act... "I have to get down there and shake his hand. He's amazing".

[@twozup1098]

Golden era.

[@goldenmaxvael8709]

The legend Michael Doohan 👍

[@msgretrogamer]

Brilliant. I'm off to dig out my old 1990s yearly review dvds now

[@ianshakles5121]

Best ever qualifying lap is Jorge Lorenzo Valencia 2015. Immense pressure from Rossi fan death threats, having to win to take the crown, lays down the fastest ever lap there. Go Jorge!

[@gorangoran6335]

The Old Assen circuit, an awesome racetrack!

[@martiniv8924]

Doing it Doohan, reminds me why he’s the only GP rider replica helmet I’ve ever bought 👌🏻😎

[@craigkelly79]

Mighty Mick the legend!

[@yoshiuchiyama5226]

Very interesting to see Norick Abe and Mick Doohan together, similarity of riding style

[@tembakaujawa8396]

The power of dream hondas..nsr still legendary

[@veronicaisl]

Oh my lord! 2 strokes era. Good old days

[@The_Slavstralian]

That was epic.

[@morisseaucecile9352]

Best ever warm-up lap

[@joker14n]

I remember marquez crashing near the end of Q2 in texas...then hopping over the wall, running to his #2 bike and getting pole by riding one of the most abusive laps ive ever seen. Gotta love it !!

[@Flogomes7895]

Old Assen.... Magic !

[@johncarlson8029]

I wish we coulda seen Doohan and Rossi race, man that would be good

[@keithf8890]

Great memories.

[@mc24725]

The golden era of 500cc GP racing. I remember those days. Some of the best motorcycle racing to be seen. Definitely better than todays electronic ridden Moto GP.

[@motogplounge6305]

youre an idiot. the electronics dont even make the riders faster its a control ecu all the teams get the same and it slows you down to run into the tc. on top of that there's only about 10 seconds between 1st and 15th each race. much closer and less predictable

[@mikeconlin9406]

I'm an idiot? What the hell are you even talking about? Did you respond to the wrong post? Who said anything about electronis making anybody faster? If you have a disagreement? Make it relevant to the post. Reread my post you tool. Or have somebody that can read do it for you.

[@motogplounge6305]

@@mikeconlin9406 no, you just clearly have no understanding of how modern or older gp bikes actually operate which leads you to making completely ridiculous comments on them

[@mikeconlin9406]

@@motogplounge6305 You're obviously a G.P. master. Here's the deal. I gave my opinion on a open forum. I could give a rats ass if you agree or not. You've let your (2nd) completely ignorant comment be heard. Now move on. Go troll somebody else that has the time or want to engage in your stupidity. Seriously, get a clue or a life. Or maybe both.

[@dr.jillalicecooper2587]

@@mikeconlin9406 MotoGP is dead and boring just like F1. Let him watch the cameras focusing on rider's asses. Absolute gayness Lmao

[@lewiscollins1045]

THE MAN...............

[@hennies9509]

The golden age of bike racing, Honda simply the BEST!!!

[@jpg8347]

Remember this so clearly-have retold this story a few times to anyone who listens! At the track he nearly lost his leg (and less likely-his life)

[@haroldland4620]

Sweet reaction from SC 🙂

[@donaldhipple4921]

Mick was so dominant for so long it was like no one else even there.

[@frankxaoz1286]

That’s when the Assen layout was AWESOME

[@Holanduzo]

The KING DOOHAN

[@dazaspc]

Gardner and Doohan put together a team behind them that made them unbeatable. Doohan isn't given the credit he deserves you have to remember he came to GP riding much older than the european champions and in his era Dominated against all.

[@pldaniels]

Gardner was definitely the great showman and broke through the social barriers for Australians to support the sport; Mick then was the machine that dominated for sure. An excellent duo in Australian history.

[@christianmadsen7997]

Gardner😅😅😅. He was nothing compaird to Mick. NOTHING