Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo won his third successive MotoGP yesterday as he coasted home to take the Italian race on a Yamaha at Mugello.
The 28-year-old two-time world champion — who was winning three in a row for the fourth time in his career — beat home pole sitter Andrea Iannone of Italy on a Ducati, with Italian legend Valentino Rossi third on another Yamaha, claiming his 10th successive podium finish.
Rossi leads the world championship standings, but by only six points from Lorenzo.
Photo: AFP
Two-time defending world champion Marc Marquez failed to finish, crashing out on his Honda with six laps remaining.
Lorenzo, world champion in 2010 and 2012, said that it was hard to judge if he was in the best form of his life.
“I’ve been in this sort of form in the past,” said Lorenzo puffing out his cheeks. “But the bike is in great shape. I took control of the race with a brave overtaking of Dovizioso and even though I lacked some pace, I had enough to win.
“I’ve won three races in a row before, but now I want to make it four [with Catalunya in a fortnight],” Lorenzo added.
Iannone — who adopted the nickname “maniac Joe” — was delighted to have secured second spot, especially as he is recovering still from a dislocated shoulder, although the first win in this category still eludes him.
“My head is strong, that is why I can ride like I do,” he said. “Victory was too difficult because Jorge was so strong, but I never give up and I pushed a lot.”
For Rossi, who is seeking his 10th world title in all categories, it was a better-than-expected result, as he had started from eighth place on the grid.
“I’m happy because I made the podium, which is a good result,” said the 36-year-old, who won two of the first three races this season. “During the race, I suffered and it has been a difficult weekend, but ultimately I am satisfied with retaining the lead in the title race.”
The race got off to a blistering start as Iannone looked to have got a jump start, but he was overtaken by teammate Dovizioso and then Lorenzo, who then assumed the lead on the first lap, while Marquez scorched through the field from 13th to be fourth.
Rossi, though, had an awful start, dropping to 11th, although he repaired the damage slightly by finishing the first lap in ninth.
Marquez moved into third on the opening half of the second lap of the 23-lap race, passing Iannone with nonchalant ease and then ate up Dovizioso to go second.
The Italian fought back to regain second spot with 17 laps remaining, while Marquez’ teammate Dani Pedrosa started to creep up on the leading quartet.
It developed into a thrilling battle between the Ducatis and the Yamahas, with Marquez being demoted to fourth by Iannone to rapturous cheers from the 80,000 spectators packing the stands, before the Spaniard struck back and regained second.
As they exchanged positions regularly it was Rossi who edged closer to joining their party, and going out into the country with 11 laps to go, “The Doctor” was on the shoulder of Dovizioso, whom he took care of soon afterward to stupendous roars from his devoted following.
Dovizioso’s race seemed to be run and two laps later, he steered his bike into the pits with mechanical trouble.
Disaster was to strike for Marquez with six laps remaining, as he went low on the ground to try and overtake Iannone only to come to grief and slide into the sand — the Spaniard walking away shaking his head in frustration while cheers rang out from the stands.
The decibel level went even higher if that was imaginable later on the lap, as Rossi got the better of Pedrosa to move into third.
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