Australian MotoGP Legend Mick Doohan won five premier class titles in a period of domination that broke records and defined the sport in the 1990s.

Beginning his career in superbikes Doohan quickly rose to prominence due to his outright speed, unwavering determination and eye-catching style - which saw him hang his lower body off the side of the bike. He joined the World Championship as team-mate to fellow Aussie and MotoGP Legend Wayne Gardner in 1989, at the age of 23.

That maiden season was particularly memorable for his tyre-smoking rear wheel steering at the Brazilian round and some promising early results. In 1990 he took the first of his 54 premier class victories at Hungary and just two years later was already in contention for the championship.

Although he crashed on relatively few occasions, there were some nasty injuries on the way. He ground his hand down to the bone on his Australian GP debut in 1989, and nearly had to have his left leg amputated after a practice crash at Assen in 1992, a year in which he was dominating until the trip to Holland. The forced absence eventually gave the title to Wayne Rainey, despite a heroic and premature comeback from Doohan.

Although he was never fully fit in 1993 from 1994 onwards he blazed across the series and was not knocked off his throne until a broken leg sustained in an accident at Jerez in 1999 was the catalyst for announcing his retirement.

Doohan’s career was defined by his loyalty to Honda (from whom he never departed while racing), his 12 wins from 15 in 1997 and his duels with Alex Criville (1996) and Max Biaggi (1998) en route to five consecutive premier class titles.