Mick Doohan returns to ROC

Five time 500cc world champion Mick Doohan has been confirmed for next month's Race of Champions in Bangkok.

As well as battling for individual honours, Doohan will partner V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup for Team Australia in the ROC Nations Cup.

"It's a real privilege to be coming back to the Race Of Champions and to have another chance to team up with Jamie, who lives near me on the Gold Coast," said Doohan. "Of course it's tough for a bike racer to come up against so many great drivers but I'll be determined not to let the side down.

"I don't get too much competitive action these days but I have a kart circuit at home and I have a buggy with a 600cc engine so I'll try to get out on that when I can. The Race Of Champions is friendly off the track but that all evaporates when we're waiting on the start line so I'd better be prepared..."

Doohan has made five previous Race Of Champions appearances, reaching the individual quarter-finals last year (pictured with Jorge Lorenzo) before losing out to seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher.

"It's brilliant to have Mick back in the line-up for the Race Of Champions," said Race organiser Fredrik Johnsson. "He is a true legend of his sport and he has plenty of skill on four wheels too, as last year's performance proved.

"After helping Team Australia to the ROC Nations Cup semi-finals, he reached the individual quarter-finals where he was beaten by Michael Schumacher: no shame in that!

"So there is every reason for the rest of the field to be wary if they come up against this true motor sport great. We hope plenty of Australians and bike fans will make the trip to cheer him on."

Schumacher will also return for 2013, alongside the likes of Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen and new World Rally Champion S?bastien Ogier.

Held every year since 1988, the Race Of Champions brings together some of the world's top motorsport competitors and sets them free to battle head-to-head in a range of four-wheel machinery.