NEWLY-CROWNED 500cc world motorcycling champion, Michael Doohan, yesterday blamed team mate Alex Criville for denying him victory in the last Grand Prix of the season in Australia after they crashed on the final lap.

Doohan criticised his fellow Honda rider for attempting to overtake on a bend.

Both riders fell to the ground heavily, leaving Italian Loris Capirossi, riding a Yamaha, to claim his first 500cc Grand Prix victory.

Japan's Tadayuki Okada finished second on a Honda, ahead of Spaniard Carlos Checa, also riding a Honda.

Australian Doohan, whose relationship with Criville has become increasingly strained this season, handed full responsibility for the collision to the Spaniard.

"He tried to go around the outside but I shut the door on him. He left his move too late," said Doohan, who got back on his bike to finish eighth, two places behind Criville and 22 seconds behind Capirossi.

Doohan, who took the lead on the first lap but remained under pressure from Criville throughout the 30 laps, escaped without injury.

Criville began on pole position but quickly lost the lead to the delight of the large Australian crowd.

Criville blamed Doohan for blocking his path. "I'm very unhappy that I crashed while I was trying to win the race," he said.

In the 250cc category, Italy's Max Biaggi clinched his third consecutive world title in fitting style with a convincing victory on his Aprilia.

German Ralf Waldmann, who? trailed Biaggi by one point going into the race, chased his rival throughout but crossed the line on his Honda two seconds adrift.

Earlier Japan's Haruchika Aoki clinched the 125cc world title on a Honda by finishing second behind Australia's Garry McCoy, riding an Aprilia.