MOTOGP
Stoner claims US GP
Reigning world champion Australian Casey Stoner claimed the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca on Sunday, besting Spain’s championship leader Jorge Lorenzo by almost 3.5 seconds. Stoner defended his victory from last year on the California course with his Repsol Honda teammate, Dani Pedrosa of Spain, claiming third place, 7.633 seconds behind. Nicky Hayden was the best of the locals, finishing sixth, 26.902 seconds off the pace. Stoner started second on the grid behind Lorenzo and after dropping to third early, he set about chasing down the Spanish pair. He took down Pedrosa on lap two of 32 before passing his main rival with 11 laps to go with a crisp move down the main straight. Stoner was the only one of the front-runners to start on softer option rear tires, a tactical masterstroke in the end. Lorenzo, who has finished inside the top two in all nine of his races this year, increased his championship lead to 23 points over Pedrosa, with Stoner now 32 points adrift in third as he chases a third world title before his impending retirement at the end of the season.
GOLF
Piercy wins Canadian Open
Scott Piercy made four straight birdies to hold off William McGirt and Robert Garrigus to win the PGA Tour’s Canadian Open on Sunday. Piercy closed with a three-under 67 to finish at 17-under 263 as he tied the oldest 72-hole scoring record on the PGA Tour. Piercy two-putted from 50 feet for par on the 18th hole of the Hamilton Golf and Country club course to post his second career USPGA Tour victory. McGirt was atop the leaderboard for much of the fourth round, but he three-putted for bogey on the 15th and failed to save par from a bunker on the final hole for a 69 that left him one shot adrift of Piercy. Garrigus, the 54-hole leader, fired a 70 after he three-putted the 16th hole for bogey and finished in a tie for second.
SOCCER
Adam targeting me: Bale
Tottenham’s pre-season friendly in the US has turned nasty, with Gareth Bale launching a scathing post-match attack on Liverpool’s Charlie Adam. Bale was a victim of Adam’s late tackle on Saturday, suffering a major injury scare to his left ankle before the new Premier League season has even begun. However, the Welshman later accused Adam of a pre-mediated and calculated attack and alleged he deliberately targeted him for special treatment during the goalless draw. There is also a history of ill-feeling between these two players. Adam, who was playing for Blackpool at the time, escaped a Football Association charge after rupturing Bale’s ankle ligaments and ending the Tottenham winger’s season early in May last year, following a stamp at White Hart Lane. And with relations already strained, the bad blood spilled over here as Bale turned on Adam, branding him a coward amid claims he set out to deliberately injure him.
BASEBALL
Padres re-sign Street
The San Diego Padres have agreed to re-sign pitcher Huston Street to a contract extension, retaining the closer who has made a major impact in his first season with the Padres. Street will sign a two-year deal worth US$14 million and there is an option for an additional year worth US$7 million. After being traded from Colorado to San Diego in December last year, Street has been stellar this year, where he has converted all 17 of his save opportunities and is 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely