Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa gained his first win of the season yesterday taking the Spanish MotoGP. The Honda rider came home clear of teammate Marc Marquez, while defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo was third on a Yamaha.
Marquez, who went top of the standings on 61 points three ahead of Pedrosa and four of Lorenzo, once again showed his class at just 20-years-old as he passed Lorenzo on the final bend for second spot.
However, it left Lorenzo furious as they came together on the bend and he refused to accept Marquez’s apology immediately afterwards.
Photo: Reuters
Lorenzo was diplomatic once he dismounted from his bike.
“I prefer not to comment on that. I would rather talk about my race,” Lorenzo said. “It was a perfect race for my bike and the team. I am pretty sore about what happened, but I prefer not to make any further comment.”
Marquez accepted that he had been in the wrong.
“I wanted to say sorry to Jorge, but it wasn’t possible,” Marquez said.
“Sure if I had been him I would be angry, but I entered the last lap and I knew that I could pass him and so I went for it,” he said.
Pedrosa was delighted to have broken his duck for the season.
“It was a good race and I am delighted to have got a win under my belt,” Pedrosa said.
“Jorge was very strong, but once I got past him I let myself establish a decent lead and then eased off as I didn’t want to destroy my tires,” he said.
Lorenzo produced a great maneuver after losing first place on the first corner, coming on the inside to pass Pedrosa on the first lap.
Valentino Rossi too was in sparkling form on the first lap, overtaking Marquez, but the young rider displayed his class by reclaiming third spot on the second lap.
Pedrosa took the lead with a neat pass of Lorenzo with 22 laps to go while Marquez put some space between himself and Rossi.
Marquez upped the pressure on Lorenzo by hanging onto his wheel, attempting to pass him on several occasions, with the older rider having to draw on all his experience to hold him off.
Oblivious to this Pedrosa established a lead of over two seconds on them and seemed to be well set for a comfortable victory.
However, even though Lorenzo was being hounded by Marquez, it didn’t stop him from closing on Pedrosa.
His lead was slashed by a second with two laps remaining, but it was enough in the end as the real drama unfolded between his two compatriots.
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