A manufacturer cannot build-up a strong rider force without gaining stellar results. In another words, to lure good riders into their team, manufacturers had to introduce a good combination of a highly developed machine and a proficient rider that can demonstrate team's potential.
Therefore, going on into the 90's, Honda picked out Mick Doohan as their ace rider and vigorously pushed forward the development of its NSR500 with him.
This combination proved to be a superb one. Competing against Wayne Rainey (Yamaha) and Kevin Schwantz (Suzuki), Doohan soon became one of the notable riders of the scene.
Doohan's magnificent battles against them are still imprinted on memories of many fans.

Fighting out those intense battles, Doohan finally establishes his golden age from 1994. Synergy effect of rider's efforts in improving his ability and the improvement in performance and reliability of the machine made the combination of Doohan and NSR500 the first "invincible force" in the matured grand prix scene of the 90's.

Honda's monumental achievement of breaking MV's grand prix record for the number of consecutive wins was attained during this period. After winning the opening round, Doohan on NSR500 swept the 1997 season in full career. It is worthy of note that other Honda riders also had ability to win as well. The performance of the pair had attracted and lured many good riders into the team and reinforced its rider force just as Honda intended. Alex Criville who won his home grand prix in Spain, Tadayuki Okada who secured pole position in some of the races and Carlos Checa who attracted attention with his sharp riding were all members of the Honda team in that period.