Doohan: I would be top five on RCV!

Five-time world champion Mick Doohan reckoned he could have finished in the top five of the Pacific 500cc Grand Prix on Honda's new for 2002 RCV four-stroke machine.

The outspoken Australian demonstrated the development bike prior to the big race at Motegi, having also ridden the RC211V at the Suzuka 8 Hour race in August. As darkness descended on the pit-lane after qualifying was over on Friday, Doohan and fellow world champion 'Fast' Freddie Spencer went out on two of the machines that will spearhead the Honda challenge in MotoGP next season, and returned excited by what they had sampled.

"I was very impressed," Doohan said, "Without a doubt, the bike is going to be very competitive when the season starts next year. Honda have made further improvements to the bike since I rode it in and, if I was fit to race, I think I could have finished in the top five on Sunday."

Spencer was equally impressed after his first taste of the new bike, but made fewer claims than his riding partner.

"You get a feel about a new bike the first time you go out on the track - and the new four-stroke felt very good," he revealed, "It was the first time I'd ridden a grand prix bike since 1993 and I really enjoyed it."

Despite the plaudits, GP500 championship leader Valentino Rossi will not test the RCV after the Malaysian Grand Prix in two weeks' time. The Italian was due to test the bike at Sepang, but Honda have cancelled the test due to the present world terrorist situation.