Michael Doohan of Australia won the Australian 500cc Grand Prix at Phillips Island yesterday to clinch his fifth successive World Championship. The 33-year-old led from start to finish and performed a "wheelie" before taking the chequered flag.

Doohan's 53rd victory in 134 grands prix put him only 15 wins behind the Italian legend Giacomo Agostini. Doohan, riding a Honda, beat the Yamaha rider Simon Crafar of New Zealand by 0.8 seconds with the Australian's team-mate Alex Criville of Spain 1.8 seconds back in third place.

Doohan's main championship rival, the Italian Max Biaggi on a Honda, could manage only eighth place, 14 seconds behind.