Mick Doohan: I was hours away from losing my leg
Legendary 500cc racer gives Rusty the inside line on his dazzling careerFive-time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan has opened up on the highs and lows of his wildly successful career in a
.Doohan, arguably Australia’s most successful Grand Prix motorcycle export, tells
that he was only 24 hours from losing his leg after a huge crash in 1992.“Initially, I didn’t know how close I was [to having my leg amputated],” Doohan admitted.
“They (the surgeons) didn’t allow for the swelling or the trauma of the injury when sewing my leg back up after inserting plates and screws. They put my leg in a cast and then raised it up in the air so that it didn’t have anywhere to swell.
“Essentially, all the swelling went back into my leg and shut all the veins down … I later heard that one of the doctors said ‘if there is no improvement in the next 24 hours, I’m going to have to amputate his leg.”
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History shows that Doohan recovered resoundingly from his injuries, returning to Grand Prix racing the following year using a handlebar-mounted rear braking system (because his ankle wasn't up to the rigours of braking after injury and surgery). He tells Rusty the device comprised a throttle lever typically used on an ATV or jet ski.
Then, Doohan really hit his straps from 1994. The Honda rider would go on to win five consecutive world titles, etching his name in the record books along the way.
In an engaging 70-minute chat, Doohan tells Rust the mental strength and determination required to succeed at the highest level.
Doohan also explains why fellow Aussie Daryl Beattie was the most naturally gifted rider he shared the track with.
“Beattie, it was a bit of a shame that he got injured and got out of the sport. For me he was the most naturally gifted guy that I raced against,” Doohan said.
“He could have gone on and been massively successful. Unfortunately, a bit of luck and timing falls into place, but certainly could ride anything and ride it well, but he retired at 26 or 27. He could have hung in there another 10 years.”
The Mick Doohan episode of the Rusty’s Garage podcast is live now, and available for free download. It is well worth a listen.
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