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Viñales battles through to victory as 2021 begins in style

Mar 29. 2021Maverick Viñales

Top Gun shoots first in the desert as Zarco and Bagnaia fight off Mir at the final corner

We wanted fireworks, and we got them. The first race of the 2021 FIM MotoGP™ World Championship was a cracker at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar as Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales unleashed a stunning race to claim victory. The number 12 climbed his way through the pack to eventually beat second place Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) by just over a second, with the Frenchman and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) then pipping reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) on the run to the line to complete the podium on the opening night. The start of the race was something to behold for Ducati. Bagnaia, Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team), Zarco and Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) – the latter from 14th on the grid – all propelled themselves to the front as Ducati once again proved themselves holeshot heroes, with Martin’s launch especially making some serious headlines as the rookie joined his fellow GP21 riders inside the top four. Fabio Quartararo and Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP teammate Viñales got a little swamped off the line, forced to tuck in behind the Borgo Panigale invasion at the front. Bagnaia had held on in the lead ahead of Miller, Zarco and Martin, before Zarco then slipstreamed Miller down the home straight and grabbed P2 off the Australian. After sluggish starts, the two factory Yamahas were regrouping though and soon found their way past high-flying rookie Martin on Lap 3. Just behind, Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) was scrapping away with Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and World Champion Mir, the GSX-RR duo getting past The Doctor and starting to hound Martin. Up top, the leading five were line astern. Quartararo and Viñales were attached to the back of Miller, good news for two Yamahas, as Pecco kept it steady in the lead. Quartararo wasn’t messing around, however, and El Diablo dived up the inside of Miller at Turn 15. The Ducati blasted by on the straight again but sensational work on the brakes allowed the Yamaha man to take and hold P3. A couple of laps later, Viñales decided to pounce on Miller too. Turn 10 was the Spaniard’s chosen point and Miller then found himself down in P5 – was he struggling, or playing the long game? Meanwhile, In free air, Rins was reeling in the leaders and was soon right up behind Miller as well. Viñales was the man starting to look impatient though, right up behind Quartararo… The lead group, covered by 1.4 seconds, was over two seconds up the road from seventh place Mir and by 12 laps to go, Viñales was up into P3 and immediately bridged the few tenths gap to Zarco. And with 11 to go, Viñales dived up the inside of the Pramac Racing rider for P2 and showed a wheel to race leader Bagnaia, most definitely meaning business. Just behind, Rins had also got the better of Quartararo and as the race entered the halfway stage, Mir and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) were now tagged onto the back of the number 20 Yamaha too. Viñales and Yamaha’s strengths in the middle of the corners were clear to see, and Turn 10 was once more was the chosen passing place for Top Gun. For the first time, the race leader wasn’t Pecco as Viñales struck on Lap 15, but the top eight riders were still covered by just 2.3 seconds. With Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) in P9 just 3.5 seconds from the lead as well, could the number 12 Yamaha pull away from the group? It was a half second lead with six to go, as behind Zarco drafted Bagnaia for P2 into Turn 1 and Mir passed Miller to grab fifth. With five laps to go though, Viñales and Zarco were starting to break clear and Top Gun had eked out the lead to a 0.7 second advantage as Zarco, in turn, held a second over Bagnaia. Behind the latter, Mir was now ahead of teammate Rins for P4 as well. But Viñales was checking out and the gap seemed to shoot out to 1.6 seconds not long after, leaving the podium fight in the dust. Battle mode: engaged. The podium scrap, meanwhile, was in full flow. Mir, at Turn 6, stuck his Suzuki up the inside of Bagnaia’s Ducati and suddenly, it seemed second place Zarco was under threat as well. As the last lap dawned, Mir was desperately trying to find a way past the number 5 but the Suzuki rider had to be patient. The move came though as the reigning Champion struck at the penultimate corner, leaving just one more apex and a run to the line standing between Mir and a phenomenal podium. The two Ducatis were about to prove just how quick they were in a straight line though, and as the Suzuki went ever so slightly wide at the final corner, Zarco and Bagnaia unleashed their grunt towards the flag – and just, just pipped Mir to the rostrum. Viñales had already crossed the line well ahead of the squabble to start 2021 in style, however, winning at Losail for the second time and in a different manner to his 2017 victory. Zarco took second as top Independent and top Ducati, with Bagnaia debuting in full factory red on the podium in third and Mir just missing out. Quartararo crossed the line three seconds behind his teammate in P5 as the Frenchman got the better of Rins by just three tenths, and two and a half seconds further down the road, Aleix Espargaro put Aprilia right in the battle with a fantastic P7. Aleix also beat younger brother Pol by just 0.056s as the latter put in an impressive debut with the Repsol Honda Team. Miller, meanwhile, was forced to settle for ninth. The number 43 slid backwards in the latter stages and crossed the line back from where he would have wanted, looking to bounce back next weekend. Top rookie honours went the way of reigning Moto2™ World Champion Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) in tenth as just nine seconds split the Italian from the race win and he debuted in the top ten. Stefan Bradl (Repsol Honda Team) did another top job standing in for Marc Marquez, the German finished P11 and leading 12th place Rossi across the line. Not the race The Doctor will have been looking for from P4 on the grid as he and teammate Franco Morbidelli suffered a very difficult evening – the latter finishing outside the points in P18 after an issue throughout. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the leading KTM rider in P13, with teammate Brad Binder and fast-starting Martin picking up the remaining points on offer in P14 and P15. That’s it from a stunning start to the season. Viñales was an unstoppable force in the desert for a second time and Zarco and Bagnaia ensure Ducati have something to shout about on a favoured stomping ground. Mir proved exactly why he and Suzuki are reigning Champions with a classy Sunday ride, and there are stories everywhere you look. Round 1 is now in the history books, and Round 2 right here at Losail is just around the corner! MotoGP™ podium 1 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – 42:28.663 2 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +1.092 3 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – +1.129 *Independent Team rider MotoGP™ podium L-R: Zarco, Viñales and Bagnaia Maverick Viñales: “Honestly I felt unbelievable. Actually the start didn’t go so well, I had a lot of wheelie. So it’s something we need to work on. But after that I felt the potential, I was taking everything with calm and saving the tyres for a good moment. I tried to be smart and calm, and chose the right place to push. Finally I opened a gap and I was trying to control the tyre and manage the power. Overall, so good. It was a fantastic weekend, just to say thank you to my really close family, now my wife… as you know we’re expecting a baby and you know, these results are amazing, everything is good and we’re really blessed. Just thank you.” Zarco was on the podium and both top Ducati and top Independent Team rider  Viñales takes his second win in Qatar High fives all round heading to parc ferme Bagnaia bagged a first podium of the season and his first with the factory team MotoGP™ thanked Qatar for their support and collaboration ahead of the first race of the year Lowes pulls the pin for faultless first win of 2021 The Brit pitches it to perfection to start the year on top, with Gardner on the chase and Diggia digging deep for third Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) became the first British rider to win an opening round Grand Prix since the great Barry Sheene in 1979 after producing a faultless ride at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar. The polesitter kept a hard-charging Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at bay as the Australian takes P2 from Round 1, with Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) coming out on top in a last lap duel with Marco Bezzecchi (SKY Racing Team VR46) to hand Gresini Racing an emotional podium. A lightning start from Row 2 saw Bezzecchi grab the holeshot, with both Lowes and Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) slow from P1 and P2 as third place Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) slotted into P2. Lowes soon got past a wide Fernandez at Turn 1 to recover to P3, and the Brit then made light work of Bendsneyder at Turn 6. Fellow Brit Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was also on the move, up into P5 from P10 on the grid. Lap 2 saw Raul Fernandez also pass Bendsneyder for third place as the leading eight riders locked horns. Lowes then showed a wheel to Bezzecchi at Turn 6, and by Turn 1 on Lap 3, the British rider was through and leading. Seventh place Gardner set the fastest lap of the race though, with the Australian fighting hard to move through and give chase. Raul Fernandez was also swarming all over the back of Bezzecchi, and making a Turn 1 move stick on Lap 4. Fernandez’s teammate Gardner, though, was the man on the move. The Australian slipped by Dixon for P4 but a small error then saw Gardner lose the time he’d made up, he was back down to P5. Sixth place Di Giannantonio was then wide at the final corner, and the Italian slipped to P8 as Lowes set the fastest lap of the race. Fernandez was soon back to within a couple of tenths of the race leader though, Lowes making a mistake somewhere to allow the rookie to close him in. Meanwhile, a regrouped Gardner was now back ahead of Dixon and set the fastest lap of the race again, with Bezzecchi soon enjoying the number 87 for close company. With 13 to go, Gardner struck at Turn 4 and made a move stick on Bezzecchi. With 12 to go, Fernandez was losing touch on Lowes and Gardner sensed it. The latter was through on his teammate and now had 1.2 seconds to bridge if he wanted to win his second Moto2™ race in succession, but Lowes had something in hand and set the fastest lap of the Grand Prix – a 1:59.529 – to keep his margin comfortable if not yet dominant. A few laps passed by with stalemate, and the gap remained at just under one and a half seconds between the leading duo. Raul Fernandez continued to keep his teammate honest too, with Bezzecchi sitting 1.2 seconds behind the young Spaniard as Di Giannantonio, Joe Roberts (Italtrans Racing Team) and Dixon squabbled right behind the podium fight. Gardner, on Lap 13, set the fastest lap of the race, but Lowes set his personal best too and on the next lap, the race leader was three tenths quicker. Pin pulled, the gap was up to 1.6 seconds and it would only increase in increments from there. With three laps to go, it was two seconds and the top two seemed settled, but the battle for the podium was in full swing. Bezzecchi tucked in behind Raul Fernandez down the home straight and took third place away from the star rookie, with Di Giannantonio then on the scene and making it a six-wheel scrap for the podium. The Italian followed compatriot Bezzecchi through and locked his radar onto third… Up the road, Lowes had a comfortable 2.2 second lead over Gardner and cruised to his first win of the year in style, with the Australian forced to settle for the 20 points but happy enough to do so this time. The final place on the podium was between the two Italians and Di Giannantonio sliced up the inside of Bezzecchi at Turn 11, a classy move pulled off, and Diggia held it on the drag to the line by 0.013s to hand himself and Gresini an emotional rostrum. The first for Gresini Racing in Moto2™ since Lowes in 2016 at the Aragon GP, and a fitting way to remember the late, great Fausto Gresini. Bezzecchi lost out on a rostrum by the slimmest of margins but a P4 is a solid start to the year. Fernandez couldn’t hold onto a podium place in his first Moto2™ race but it was nevertheless a phenomenal ride from the Spaniard, who took fifth and beat Roberts by 0.6 seconds as the American put in a solid ride to pull out a couple of seconds on Dixon by the flag in sixth. The Brit forced to settle for seventh, ahead of Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP) as the German eventually got the better of Bendsneyder. The German, Dutchman was followed home by Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) as the two completed the top ten. 11th place went to Cameron Beaubier (American Racing) as the American produced a fantastic debut Moto2™ race in a heated battle for the remaining point-scoring positions. Fellow rookie Celestino Vietti (SKY Racing Team VR46) also impressed as he lost out by just 0.142s to Beaubier and took P12, with both getting the better of the more experienced Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team), Augusto Fernandez (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) – the latter trio completing the points. Hector Garzo (Flexbox HP40), Lorenzo Baldassarri (MV Agusta Forward Racing) and Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) crashed out, riders ok. Lowes did the business after a Warm Up mishap and the British rider starts the year with a near-perfect performance. Gardner and the chasing pack will be hoping to make up ground when the riders attack Losail International Circuit again next weekend, so who will come out on top in Doha in seven days time? Moto2™ podium: 1 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 40:03.123 2 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +2.260 3 Fabio Di Giannantonio – Federal Oil Gresini Moto2 – Kalex – +5.228 Moto2™ podium L-R: Gardner, Lowes and Di Giannantonio Sam Lowes: “I’ve worked for this race the last few months doing the runs in practice and then I got in that position and stuck to what I’ve been doing, so this was nice. The crash in morning Warm Up didn’t really go to plan and this wind is strong, my style is a bit different to the other guys. I don’t really lean off so much so I’ve got a lot of surface area in corner entry and I was trying to stay low and get out the wind but it was a difficult race to not make a mistake. My pace was strong, I’m proud of myself and the team to start the year like this, it was a tough last ten laps but I’m really happy and we get to do it all again next week.”   Masia defeats Acosta and Binder in a classic Moto3™ melee The first race of the year sees the podium split by less than a tenth as Moto3™ returns with a bang Moto3™ opened the season in style at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar as Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) fought off rookie sensation teammate Pedro Acosta and Petronas Sprinta Racing’s Darryn Binder for victory in the first race of the year, with less than a tenth covering the three over the line after a classic Moto3™ melee. Off the line it was Binder who took the holeshot, with the number 40 getting the hammer down from pole position as a freight train immediately fired up behind him. There was early drama elsewhere on the grid for Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) though as the Italian jumped the start, and not long after that Dennis Foggia’s (Leopard Racing) race came to an end at Turn 3 as the Italian had contact from Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3). Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Tech3) then went down at Turn 6, but at the front the battle raged on. Binder retained the lead but the insane slipstream effect was seen on the front straight as five riders shot past the South African before Turn 1, with Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) taking the lead in a gaggle of 10 riders. By Lap 3 there was more drama, however, as fast-starting rookie Xavier Artigas (Leopard Racing) overcooked it. After an incredible start it came to an early end and, unfortunately, three other riders fell foul of the Spaniard’s mistake: John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing), Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3). Artigas was given a double long lap penalty to serve next time out. Despite that crash, there remained 14 riders covered by just two seconds and the lead, mostly on the run into Turn 1, was changing every single lap. Friday pacesetter Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) was one of the riders up front as he and Binder had a nice little scrap on Lap 9, and rookie sensations Izan Guevara (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar) and Acosta were battling it out in the group alongside the likes of Masia, Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar), Rodrigo, Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech3) and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) – the latter, incredibly, from the very back of the grid. With eight laps to go, Masia and Acosta were leading the way but the ever-present Binder was getting his elbows out. The South African and Rodrigo came into slight contact a couple of times but with seven to go, a potentially costly mistake from Rodrigo saw the Argentine run wide at Turn 2, with replays showing he rubbed wheels with Masia in a close call. He was soon back in the fight but had work to do. Lap 13 then saw Binder return to P1 for the first time in a good handful of laps, but Masia bit back at Turn 6 on the same lap. Then, Acosta followed his teammate through to shove Binder back to P3. 13 riders, with six laps to go, were racing just 1.6 seconds apart. Sasaki was now leading heading into the last four laps but yet again, the slipstream effect was like shuffling the deck and Acosta was back up in P1, with teammate Masia tucked in behind. By three to go, Sasaki, Binder and Masia was the top three but any one of 13 riders could still count themselves as in the fight for the win. Rodrigo was back up into fourth after his earlier error and Sasaki enjoyed a lap a the front, but the Japanese star was swamped at the end of the straight, shuffled to P7 and Masia back in front from Binder and Rodrigo. Nearing the final lap, Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3) had shot up from the group to lead but it didn’t last for the experienced Italian and former Qatar winner. Masia slipstreamed back to lead into Turn 1 for the final lap, and drama then suddenly hit for a key contender as Sasaki’s race ended with a heart-breaking crash at Turn 2. After that, a gap formed between the leading three and the chasing pack, and it was seemingly Masia vs Acosta vs Binder for victory. And so it played out. Into the final corner the number 5 had just enough breathing space, but with Acosta and Binder so close behind it would come down to the run to the line. Binder, slightly deep into the last corner, had a two-bike slipstream but Masia was able to keep both Acosta and Binder behind him to take the first 25 points of 2021. A brilliant ride from the Spaniard and an equally outstanding effort from reigning Red Bull Rookies Cup winner Acosta to take a maiden Grand Prix podium in his World Championship debut. Binder was satisfied with P3, a fantastic way to open his account with Petronas Sprinta Racing as the South African settles into life on a Honda. Garcia claimed P4 after just losing touch with the podium battle on the final lap, but the Spaniard finished just 0.435s from the win. Rodrigo recovered well to salvage P5, ahead of Antonelli in a solid sixth. Guevara may have lost out in the battle of the rookies to Acosta this time around, but finishing under a second from victory in P7 was a terrific job by the current FIM Moto3™ Junior World Champion. Tatsuki Suzuki, who missed testing due to illness, took eighth to impress too – up from the very back. Toba and Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP) completed the top 10 as the latter picks up his best Grand Prix finish yet, with Romano Fenati recovering to P11. Tatay after a Long Lap for cauing a collision, Filip Salač (Rivacold Snipers Team), Ryusei Yamanaka (CarXpert PrüstelGP) and Maximilian Kofler (CIP Green Power) were the remaining point scorers in Qatar. Drama, scintillating racing, and a ridiculously tight finish? Check. Moto3™ delivered at the Qatar GP as Red Bull KTM Ajo take home maximum points, with Masia the first victor of the season. The best thing? We get to do it all over again next weekend at Losail International Circuit! Moto3™ podium 1 Jaume Masia – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – 38:29.620   2 Pedro Acosta – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM – +0.042    3 Darryn Binder – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Honda – +0.094 Moto3™ podium L-R: Guevara, Binder and McPhee Jaume Masia: “I’m very happy for this win, we confirmed our potential and the work done in winter. It was not easy to manage this race, a lot of wind in the fast corners and when I exited first onto the straight I arrived at Turn 1 in fifth or sixth which was difficult. I kept my mind as calm as possible and tried to keep focused on the last laps and not make any mistakes. I did the last lap in first, I tried to push more and do a good clean lap without mistakes. In the end I didn’t know 100% if I could cross the line first but finally I did and I want to thank my team and family for the support. We will see in the next races!”   MotoGP™ pays tribute to Fausto Gresini with a minute of silence at Losail Ahead of the opening races of the 2021 season, the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship paddock gathered together to observe a minute’s silence in honour of the late, great Fausto Gresini. The Italian sadly passed away before the start of the season and will be greatly missed.

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Atthaya leads from start to finish for Phoenix Ladies Classic title

Mar 28. 2021Atthaya Thitikul

By THE NATION

Red-hot Atthaya Thitikul lived up to expectations with a five-stroke victory in the Bt1-million Phoenix Ladies Classic at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya on Sunday.

The talented teenager had been in dominant form since the opening day and she clung on to the lead until the end, finishing with a 15-under-par 201 to beat Chakansim Khamborn and Chanettee Wannasaen comfortably by five strokes.

It was the third triumph for Atthaya on this landscape following two Ladies European Tour victories in 2017 and 2019. But this was the first time she would take home the prize money, as when she won the LET Thailand Championship she was still an amateur and not eligible for the prize money.

“I think the course really suits my game. Every player always has a special course in their heart,” added Atthaya, who would go home Bt110,000 richer from the winner’s cheque. “But the different thing is that I finally got the prize money,” Atthaya joked.

However, the Ratchaburi-based golfer had poor starts all week before summoning brilliant performances on the back nine.

On Sunday, she committed three bogeys in the first five holes but raised her level by shooting five birdies after the turn.

“I didn’t know what happened, but one thing I learned this week is that I could control my mental condition well. My short game really helped me out there,” said Atthaya, who has won eight titles, six after turning professional last year. She has won almost every local women’s event she has entered after the Covid-19 break late last year.

Asked if she is the player to beat, Atthaya said: “I’ve never focused on how others view me and say of me. I just focus on myself and things that I need to work on. Win or loss comes later.”

The teen prodigy plans to play a mixed tournament in Chiang Mai in April, which could be her last home event before joining the European Tour in May.

“I will have to learn and adjust to the new condition and environment. I will take it one step at a time,” said Atthaya.

Chakansim, 21 from Khon Kaen province, carded a round-lowest 66 to finish second alongside 16-year-old Chanettee on 10-under-par 206. Chakansim has yet to win a title after finishing second twice on the Ladies Philippines Golf Tour and a Thai tour back in 2018.

“I was having fun out there which is why I produced a good score. My plan is to finish within the top five in all events and I would love to play overseas events when the Covid-19 situation gets better,” said Chakansim, who earned Bt65,000 as a runner-up.

With a final-round 68, Chanettee enjoyed her best finish at joint second in only her third tournament since turning professional late last year.

“I’ve been playing well these days because I feel confident with my game. Finishing second in a tournament full of good players is beyond target for a player my age. I hope to continue like this all year round,” Chanettee said.

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Thousands take part in first Buri Ram Marathon at night

Mar 28. 2021

By The Nation

More than 21,000 runners participated in the Buri Ram Marathon 2021 organised by Chang on Saturday night.

The night marathon, with dazzling, colourful lights, started at the Chang International Circuit and ended at Chang Arena Stadium,

The marathon was divided into three men’s and three women’s categories.

Sergei Siriyanov from Russia won the 42.195-kilometre marathon for men in a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes, 01 second, while the winner in the women’s category was Rabiang Rangpia in 3:14:57.

Thailand’s Nattawut Innum won the men’s half marathon, running the 21.2km race in 1:11:48, while the women’s winner was Natthaya Thanaronnawat in 1:26:55.

Nattawat Innum won the men’s 10km in 32:02, while the women’s winner was Saranya Buaprai in 38:00.

Tourism and Sports Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, who presided over the opening ceremony, said this was the first time that the Buri Ram Marathon was kicked off at night compared to the previous years when it was held in the morning.

He added that the marathon organisers had implemented measures to contain the spread of Covid-19.

“This marathon also helped stimulate the economy as the majority of runners took their families to travel in the province,” he said.

He expected runners from foreign countries to participate in the country’s marathon in the latter part of this year once runners in Thailand receive their Covid-19 jab.

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4,606km relay for Tokyo Olympics flagged off in Bangkok

Mar 28. 2021

By The Nation

The “Flag of the Nation” relay for the Tokyo Olympics kicked off at the Sports Authority of Thailand in Bangkok on Sunday morning.

Ninety-two flag runners, including athletes, celebrities and members of the public, are taking part in the 92.6-kilometre relay to Samut Songkhram province on Sunday.

The first bearer of the flag was amateur boxer Somrak Kamsing, who had won the first gold medal for Thailand in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Somrak said he was excited to be chosen as the first bearer of the flag, adding that he had been exercising in preparation for the event.

“As a former Thai athlete, I would like to cheer junior athletes to do their best to bring victory to our country,” Somrak said.

A total of 4,568 flag runners will take part in the 4,606km relay through 35 provinces in 61 days.

The relay will end at Suvarnabhumi Airport on May 27 and the flag will take off with the Thai Olympic team to Tokyo.

The 35 provinces through which the relay will pass are: Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Samut Sakhon, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Chainat, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng Phet, Tak, Lampang, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, and Samut Prakan.

The second day of the flag relay will start at a stadium in Samut Songkhram province on Monday. Seventy-nine flag runners will take part in the 79.4km relay to Phetchaburi from 6am onwards.

People who are interested can follow the flag relay on the “Stadium TH” website or Facebook page.

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Pecco pitches it to perfection for new lap record at Losail

Mar 28. 2021

The Italian puts in the first 1:52 in Qatar to head three Yamahas in the first qualifying session of 2021

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) has taken his maiden MotoGP™ pole position in serious style at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar, the Italian slamming in a 1:52.772 – the fastest-ever two-wheel lap of Losail International Circuit – to take the honour. Bagnaia beats second place Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) by 0.266s, with Quartararo’s fellow Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales. Fourth? Top Independent Team rider Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) as the Doctor made it a Yamaha armada just behind Bagnaia… in more ways than one. Before the final battle though, there was Q1 to contend with. Reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) found himself having to fight for his place in the pole position shootout at the season opener and it wasn’t a walk in the park as the number 36 faced some stiff competition from two rookies: Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) and Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing). Both took turns leading the session, with Mir returning to P1 by just 0.005s with his best lap of the weekend. Martin then crashed unhurt on his last lap and was out of contention, and Bastianini was unable to improve. Out of nowhere, Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was then the man setting the timing screens alight though and the Japanese rider snatched P1 on his final flyer to demote Bastianini out of Q2 promotion. The Beast’s 0.005s deficit to Mir proved to be the difference. And so Mir edged through to Q2 by the skin of his teeth, and later received a fine and had his first but not fastest lap deleted for leaving pitlane early.  Nakagami and Mir then joined the fastest 10 riders from Free Practice for Saturday’s main course: MotoGP™ Qualifying 2. And in said session, it took Bagnaia just one lap to break the all-time lap record, a 1:53.273 coming in from the Italian to set us up for a phenomenal first pole shootout of 2021. Still, despite the P1 time being an all-time lap record, the timing screens were lit up with red sector times. Bagnaia didn’t improve on his next lap, but teammate Jack Miller did and the Aussie took over at the top. Next was Quartararo and the Frenchman was an astonishing four tenths under at Sector 3, losing a little in the final sector but still talking over at the top, homing in on the 52s with a 1:53.038 – another all-time lap record. After the first couple of flying laps, it was a Yamaha and Ducati fest at the top, with Aleix Espargaro placing his Aprilia Racing Team Gresini machine next up in P6 ahead of Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing). Ahead of those two sat Quartararo, Miller, Viñales, Bagnaia and Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) as the grid rumbled back into pitlane and prepared for a final push.  This was it. Viñales was the leader on the road and the first to show us what he had left in his locker, the Spaniard making it a factory Yamaha 1-2. Attention then turned back to Bagnaia though, and he had Valentino Rossi in tow to boot. Pecco unleashed a mind-blowing lap to return to P1 by 0.266s, impervious and seemingly unbeatable, and Rossi’s effort put him P3 for the time being as The Doctor demoted former teammate Viñales off the front row. Top Gun then returned the favour though, taking third back and pushing Rossi down to fourth. The front row would go unchallenged for the remaining seconds. Bagnaia said on Friday, “we will beat the record in Q2”, and he stuck to his word as the Italian to claimed his first premier class pole position in style with the fastest-ever two-wheel lap of Losail International Circuit. Quartararo and Viñales lock out the front row as The Doctor joins two of his three Yamaha counterparts inside the top four; a 1:53.114 by far the fastest Rossi has lapped Losail. Joining the veteran Italian on the second row are Miller and Zarco. The two Bologna bullets will have been hoping for more in Q2 but the second row is a solid place from which to unleash Ducati’s holeshot device. Zarco is also the new MotoGP™ top speed record holder at 362.4km/h after FP4, and his last flying lap in Q2 was his best to knock Morbidelli onto the third row. 2020 runner up Morbidelli spearheads Row 3 and he’s joined by Aleix Espargaro in eighth place, an impressive feat given the top eight were all under Marc Marquez’s old lap record. Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) is the final member on Row 3 in P9, with Mir being forced to settle for P10 – 0.910s back from pole position. Work to do on a Sunday for both Suzukis again, but if there’s one thing we learned in 2020, it’s to never discount the GSX-RR duo in race trim. Nakagami is the leading Honda ahead of the opening race of 2021 just behind them, he and Pol Espargaro (Repsol Honda Team) will fire off the line in P11 and P12. For full results, click here.  We were expecting fireworks, but we really did get some: a new all-time lap record and top speed record within an hour. It’s safe to say MotoGP™ is off to an astonishing start in the desert, as attentions now turn to race day. Bagnaia has done the hard work up until now, but can he help Ducati keep up their formidable Qatar record under the lights in 24 hours time? There’s a whole host of riders lining up behind him who are more than capable of winning the Qatar GP, and it’s going to be simply unmissable. Make sure to tune in for the first MotoGP™ race of 2021 at 20:00 local time (GMT+3) in Qatar! MotoGP™ front row 1 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 1:52.722 2 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.266 3 Maverick Viñales – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.316 Top Independent Team rider 4 Valentino Rossi – Petronas Yamaha SRT – Yamaha – +0.342 MotoGP™ front row L-R: Quartararo, Bagnaia and Viñales Francesco Bagnaia: “I’m very happy, because I achieved this result which for me is the first, and the best way to start a new chapter with a new team. Yesterday I thought it was possible to do a 52 because on my best lap yesterday I made some mistakes and I was thinking about it, so we can be happy about the result but tomorrow is the race. I think we’re a great group fighting for the top positions, Yamaha is very strong in sectors 2 and 3 and we can close the gap in sector 4 with our top speed so the balance is very close and I think tomorrow it will be a nice race and a big battle for sure.” Quartararo starts second … after just getting the jump on Viñales Top Independent Team rider? Valentino Rossi in fourth, only just off the front row Lowes lights up Losail for first pole position of 2021 The Brit heads rookie Fernandez and Bendsneyder after a classic shootout to begin the Moto2™ season Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) was once again in superior form at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar as the British rider set a 1:58.726 to take the first honours of the season. The Brit beat rookie sensation Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) to pole position by 0.140s, with Bo Bendsneyder’s (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) awesome early season form seeing the Dutchman claim just his third Grand Prix front row start in P3, 0.233s from Lowes’. Ahead of the opening Moto2™ pole position battle, four riders entered the fray from Q1. Fabio Di Giannantonio (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) was the quickest as rookie Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46), Somkiat Chantra (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia) and 2019 Moto3™ World Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Italtrans Racing Team) finished within a tenth of each other to get another crack at the whip in Q2. As Q2 kicked into life, the fastest rider after the opening flying laps was Lowes. Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) made it a British 1-2 but working in tandem, Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner then took over at the top – the latter leading his rookie teammate with a 1:59.245. Incidentally, Lowes’ first lap time was then scrapped but soon after, his second lap then saw him fly to P1, 0.447s faster than Gardner’s best. Once again, Dixon made it a British 1-2 but Lowes’ lead was still considerable. Bendsneyder then catapulted himself to P2 before Lowes once again pulled clear of the chasing pack. Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46) then took over in second, but the Italian was still over three tenths behind. The Red Bull KTM Ajo duo then launched themselves onto the front row, Raul Fernandez P2 and Gardner P3, but the Aussie’s lap would get cancelled. The ever-impressive Bendsneyder then hit back to demote Bezzecchi off the front row on his final lap as Gardner then threatened Lowes’ time on his last lap. However, a crash for Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) at Turn 10 – minutes after the Spaniard and teammate Dixon collided at Turn 3 – put a halt to Gardner’s late charge. Dixon was judged to have been riding slow on the line, causing a collision and has a three-place grid penalty. At the top though, Lowes was untouchable. The 2020 title challenger has been in supreme form at Losail and will launch from pole, and he’ll line up alongside a rookie sensation in Raul Fernandez. The Spaniard has taken to Moto2™ like a duck to water and Bendsneyder impressed too, picking up his first front row start since the 2017 Moto3™ Dutch GP. A star-studded second row will be lining up for the opening round of the season as Bezzecchi, Joe Roberts (American Racing) and Gardner claim P4, P5 and P6 in Q2 respectively. Dixon couldn’t improve on his couple of early banker laps and slipped down to P7, but will start further back in tenth. Q1 graduate Di Giannantonio was P8 but will start seventh ahead of Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up), with rookie Vietti boosted up to ninth after an impressive day. Marcos Ramirez (American Racing) and Simone Corsi (MV Agusta Forward Racing) both went to the medical centre for check-ups after both suffering big crashes in Q1. Unfortunately, both riders have been declared unfit. Corsi sustained a left wrist fracture and Ramirez suffered a right humeral fracture, the duo will miss the Qatar GP. Full results are here. Can anyone beat Lowes at Losail? It’s looking like a tricky task, but Sunday is surely going to throw up some drama under the lights. Make sure you check the clock changes before tuning in for the Moto2™ race at 18:20 local time (GMT+3)! Moto2™ front row: 1 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 1:58.726     2 Raul Fernandez – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +0.140 3 Bo Bendsneyder – Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team – Kalex – +0.233 Moto2™ front row L-R: Fernandez, Lowes and Bendsneyder Sam Lowes: “I felt good in qualifying, it was the first time we went out with low fuel, I did a quite a lot of fast laps, not a perfect lap but I’m happy. We’ve done a good job all winter and good job in the test, it’s been nice to do testing cause last year I missed it! It’s nice to understand more and give ourselves more possibilities in the race weekend if we need to, it’s going good. When you have a good year it’s nice to carry it on next year and carry the momentum.”   Binder blitzes Moto3™ pole record to take first honours of 2021 The South African battles it out in a classic Q2, with rookie sensation Guevara and veteran McPhee completing the fromt row From Q1 to pole, 2021 is off to a good start for Darryn Binder. The Petronas Sprinta Racing rider topped the first qualifying session to make it through to the pole position shootout at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar, then setting a 2:04.075 – a new lap record – to take the first pole of the year, despite also dicing it out with a few rivals on the way round. Reigning FIM Moto3™ Junior World Champion Izan Guevara (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar) claimed a wonderful debut Grand Prix front row, and also progressed from Q1, with the rookie set to line up in second. Veteran campaigner and former Qatar podium finisher John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) completes the front row. The biggest name to miss out on an automatic Q2 place after Free Practice was Binder, but the South African made no mistakes in Q1 to put in a 2:04.834 and top the session, cruising into the pole position shootout along with Guevara, Romano Fenati (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team) and Riccardo Rossi (BOE Owlride), setting the stage for the first pole position fireworks of 2021. As Q2 began it was initially a waiting game, with all but four riders sitting outside their pit boxes, waiting for other riders and teams to blink first. It wasn’t until nearly five minutes had gone that everyone finally ventured out on track, but two of those who didn’t wait around were CIP Green Power’s Kaito Toba and Maximilian Kofler. Toba, the Free Practice pacesetter, set a 2:05.414 to lay down the first benchmark time. Coming out of Q1, Binder was in the groove and that lap from Toba didn’t last too long at the top. The new Petronas Sprinta recruit made light work of a couple of riders in front of him and his first lap in Q2 was a new lap record, and by some margin. Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) then got within a tenth of Binder’s blistering 2:04.354 as two Moto3™ race winners, John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – tangled at Turn 15, with both chasing improved lap times and things getting close in the battle for the first pole of the year. The grid then rumbled back down pitlane after their first runs, with most leaving it late before heading back out for a one-lap dash. However, late was very late for some, and for Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3), it was too late. The Argentinean took the chequered flag before starting his lap as Toba launched himself into P3, but there was plenty still to come from those who had managed to sneak over the line for a last shot at pole. Lots of orange sectors were lighting up on the timing screens but three riders were showing red: Binder, Guevara and McPhee. Soon-to-be polesitter Binder was forcing his way through those ahead in the final sector too – those ahead being Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) as the two got very close on track.  Up ahead, and for about half a second, it seemed like a dream debut pole position was going Guevara’s way… but Binder was still on a charge. The South African completed his barnstormer and returned to P1 with another new lap record to seal the deal in a scintillating end to the first qualifying of the season. Those joining him on the front row make it an interesting one too: rookie sensation Guevera sandwiched by two pre-season title favourites in Binder and McPhee. Alcoba missed out on a final flying lap but his opening run pace was enough to see him spearhead the second row in P4, with Masia and Toba launching from the second row too in P5 and P6 respectively. Rodrigo, Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar) and Rossi set themselves up for a chance of a good start in seventh, eighth and ninth in that order. Rounding out the top 10 was Niccolo Antonelli (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3), a former winner at Losail.  That’s it from Saturday, with full results available here. Binder set the track alight in qualifying, but Sunday could be a whole different ball game. Moto3™ is always a thriller so tune in at 17:00 local time (GMT+3) to watch the drama unfold! Moto3™ front row 1 Darryn Binder – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Honda – 2:04.075     2 Izan Guevara – GASGAS Gaviota Aspar Team – GASGAS – +0.203 3 John McPhee – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Honda – +0.283 Moto3™ front row L-R: Guevara, Binder and McPhee Darryn Binder: “It’s never fun when you have to come through Q1 first but I knew I had the speed and just had to get a lap together. When I came out in Q1 and put down that first flying lap I was like ‘Ok, I’m here and I’m done’. Roll On Q2. We went out later than I expected in Q2, and I did my lap, came in and thought ‘nah no one is gonna do it at the end’. Next thing we’re rolling out again, I’m like ‘we’re going and I gotta put another one together now, I’ve got another chance’. I put together a good one there, I’m so stoked. Can’t complain, starting first and I got myself a new watch!”   Losail International Circuit first to be presented with Best Grand Prix award After a 2020 that brought so many new challenges for the FIM MotoGP™ World Championship, the award for Best Grand Prix will be done a little differently this year: all those who played host to an event in a history-making 2020 will be given an award. This is to recognise and thank each track for their incredible support and collaboration last season. The first of those awards was presented just ahead of the Qualifying Press Conference on Saturday at Losail International Circuit, with IRTA President Herve Poncharal and Dorna Sports CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta handing over the trophy to Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF & Losail Circuit Sports Club President, and Khalid Al Remaihi, Losail Circuit Sports Club Vice President & General Manager. Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta (L) and IRTA President Herve Poncharal with the trophy Abdulrahman Al-Mannai, QMMF & Losail Circuit Sports Club President, and Khalid Al Remaihi, Losail Circuit Sports Club Vice President & General Manager, receive the award

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Undeterred by bogeys, teen Atthaya races to six-stroke lead in Phoenix Classic

Mar 27. 2021Atthaya Thitikul

By THE NATION

The in-form Atthaya Thitikul shot a second-round 67 to establish a six-shot lead heading into the final round of the Bt1-million Phoenix Ladies Classic at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in Pattaya on Saturday.

https://web.facebook.com/lerla.seles/videos/10221352111006625/

Starting at the back nine, the teenager swapped three birdies with three bogeys before getting into the grove to fire five birdies at the front to lead on 12-under-par 132 in highly humid conditions at the beach resort.

“I got off to a good start with a birdie on the 11th hole but then my tee shots were inconsistent,” said the 18-year-old, who won five local titles last year. “But I finally got back my momentum and started shooting scores at the front,” added the teen prodigy, who set a record at the Phoenix Gold as the youngest player to have won two Ladies European Tour titles when she was 16. She won the LET Thailand Championship here in 2017 and 2019.

Despite her big lead and victorious run on this landscape, Atthaya did not write off the chances of other players challenging her on the final day.

“Even I won here twice or have familiarity with this course, it won’t matter if things don’t go my way tomorrow. Win or loss will be fine with me. I just need to fix some parts of my game, especially on my driver,” added Atthaya, who is tuning herself up before she joins the LET in May.

Earlier this year, she competed against the men in the Thailand Mixed event in Hua Hin where she settled for second, and at the Boonchu Ruangkit Championship but missed the cut. That proved a valuable experience for the talented young player.

“I learned interesting tips and techniques from the likes of Prayad Marksaeng and Thammanoon Sriroj. They have good short games that I can apply,’’ said Atthaya.

Kultida Pramphun

Two teenagers, Kultida Pramphun and Chanettee Wannasaen, fell six shots off the pace.

Kultida had an uneven round where she shot an eagle on the ninth hole and three birdies only to commit three bogeys and a double bogey on the 16th hole to settle with an even-par 72 and a total six-under-par 138.

“I was playing unbelievably at the front nine, but I made mistakes and couldn’t get out of trouble. I will try to cut down the unforced errors in the final round,” said the 19-year-old from Pathumthani province, who bagged one career title two years ago at the Royal Hills Golf Resort and Spa in Nakhon Nayok province. She believes six shots off the lead is not too far to catch up.

“Atthaya is a good player. You have to give it to her for that. But anything can happen on any given day,” said Kultida.

Chanettee Wannasaen

Chanettee, 16, from Chiang Mai, became another strong contender after a second-round 71. This is her third tournament as a professional player after finishing fourth in her last two events (Thailand Masters in 2020 and Thailand Mixed in February).

“Being in this position is beyond expectation. I just wish I had a better score. About tomorrow, I hope to go out there and have fun,” said Chanettee.

A total of 82 players will progress to Sunday’s round. The cut was made at 10 over par.

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Somrak to begin relay of Thai flag for Tokyo Olympics on Sunday

Mar 27. 2021

By THE NATION

Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also president of Olympic Committee Thailand, on Saturday opened the “Flag of the Nation” relay event for the Tokyo Olympics at the Sports Authority of Thailand.

The flag relay will start in Bangkok on Sunday, running through 35 provinces within 61 days.

A total of 4,568 flag bearers, including athletes, celebrities and members of the public, will take part in the relay. The flag relay will end at Suvarnabhumi Airport on May 27 to take off with the Thai Olympic team to Tokyo.

The first bearer of the flag will be amateur boxer Somrak Kamsing, who had won the first gold medal for Thailand in the 1996 Summer Olympics.

Spectators can watch the flag runners as they make their way through Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Songkhla, Phatthalung, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Kanchanaburi, Suphan Buri, Chainat, Nakhon Sawan, Kamphaeng, Phet Tak, Pang Lap, Lamphun, Chiang Mai, Phrae, Uttaradit, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Chaiyaphum, Khon Kaen, Nakhon Ratchasima, Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi, Rayong, Chon Buri, Chachoengsao, and Samut Prakan provinces.

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Miller leads Ducati 1-2 on Day 1 in the desert

Mar 27. 2021

A familiar name topped the timesheets on Friday at Losail as Miller headed teammate Bagnaia, with Quartararo slotting into third

Day 1 of MotoGP™ action in 2021 is in the history books, and leading the way on Friday at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar is Ducati Lenovo Team’s Jack Miller as the Australian picked up where he left off in testing. Miller’s 1:53.387 was just 0.007s away from the all-time lap record, and teammate Francesco Bagnaia made it a Borgo Panigale factory 1-2. An infinitesimal 0.035s split the two red machines, with Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) completing the top three after ending the day 0.188 off Miller.

After a scorching FP1 was completed earlier in the day, the Losail floodlights were switched on for FP2 and Miller, Bagnaia, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) all almost immediately set laptimes quicker than Franco Morbidelli’s (Petronas Yamaha SRT) FP1 pace. That was before the Red Flag came out due to track conditions, with some debris scattered across the track on the start/finish straight. However, after a quick clean up operation, the MotoGP™ riders were back out with one thing on their mind: securing a place in the top 10 and therefore a provisional place in Q2.

Aleix Espargaro was the first rider to venture into the 1:53s under the evening lights and briefly went an incredible seven tenths clear, before Rins then cut the deficit to just under half a second. It then fell a little quieter at the top but with just under 15 minutes to go on the opening day, Quartararo slotted into within a tenth of Aleix Espargaro to make it four manufacturers in the top four: Aprilia, Yamaha, Ducati, and Suzuki. Soft front and rear rubber was the choice for pretty much every rider as the first shootout of the year began.

On his next lap, Quartararo made good on his earlier threat and did demote Aleix Espargaro to P2, with Quartararo’s fellow Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP rider Maverick Viñales taking over in P3. Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) and Valentino Rossi (Petronas Yamaha SRT) were next to climb the ladder into P5 and P6, with rookies Enea Bastianini (Esponsorama Racing) and then Jorge Martin (Pramac Racing) enjoying some time in the top 10 too.

With nine minutes left, Bagnaia then took charge and did so by an almighty 0.275s. That lap was within half a tenth of Marc Marquez’s (Repsol Honda Team) all-time lap record, a 1:53.380, and Miller was next to challenge as he crossed the line within just 0.007s of Marquez’ time and took over in P1. It was soon a Ducati 1-2-3 as well, with Zarco going 0.199s behind Miller and the top 10 positions chopping and changing.

Quartararo was then glowing the timing screens with red in the opening three sectors, but the Yamahas were losing touch in the last sector as the superior grunt of the Ducatis kicked in. Nevertheless, El Diablo was able to grab P3 to break the Ducati trio apart. Bagnaia then threatened to reclaim top spot but Pol Espargaro’s (Repsol Honda Team) second crash of the day, this time at Turn 15, meant the Italian couldn’t complete his lap due to yellow flags.

In the end then, it’s Ducati and Miller who take first blood in 2021 and Bagnaia is forced to settle for second. The Italian makes sure it’s a Bologna 1-2 at the top though, with Yamaha looking good and Quartararo the quickest YZR-M1 rider so far in third. Zarco is looking like a serious contender on the GP21 too and finishes Friday in P4, with Rins going well on the soft tyres – something that bodes well for Suzuki to shrug of their sometime Achilles’ heel of one-lap pace – to claim P5.

Viñales and Morbidelli were close in sixth and seventh, respectively, finishing within three tenths of Miller as Aleix Espargaro slipped to P8 at the end of play. Valentino Rossi finished inside the top 10 for the second session in a row, the nine-time World Champion taking ninth, and Pol Espargaro grabbed a vital P10 despite his late tumble. Two crashes in one day aren’t what HRC’s new recruit would have been looking for, but the number 44 has some good speed.

Reigning World Champion Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) misses out on what could prove to be a crucial top 10 place as his title defence begins, but the gap could hardly be smaller: just 0.013s. With the cooler evening temperatures allowing the riders to set their best times of the day compared to when the sun was beating down in FP1 though, the same could well happen again in FP3 – so will an automatic place in Q2 be a struggle for Mir?

MotoGP™ really has returned with a bang in 2021 as 16 riders finish within a second on the opening day, a fantastic way to welcome back Grand Prix motorcycle racing. 15:15 local time (GMT+3) on Saturday afternoon is when the premier class will be back on track for FP3 and the provisional places in Q2 will be confirmed, so make sure to tune in and come back for the first qualifying shootout of the season from 19:20. MotoGP™ Friday top five: 1 Jack Miller – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – 1:53.387 2 Francesco Bagnaia – Ducati Lenovo Team – Ducati – +0.035 3 Fabio Quartararo – Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP – Yamaha – +0.188 4 Johann Zarco* – Pramac Racing – Ducati – +0.199 5 Alex Rins – Team Suzuki Ecstar – Suzuki – +0.236 *Independent Team rider Bagnaia was second quickest in the Ducati 1-2 Quartararo kept Yamaha close to the top Zarco was just denied making it a Ducati 1-2-3, but he was top Independent Team rider in P4 Nothing in it: Lowes vs Bezzecchi rolls on in Losail The two reign the first Friday of the season, with Roberts third and some seriously small gaps throughout the field Two familiar names ended the opening Moto2™ Free Practice Friday at the top of the timesheets: Sam Lowes (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and Marco Bezzecchi (Sky Racing Team VR46). Thanks to a 1:58.959, Lowes takes charge of proceedings at the Barwa Grand Prix of Qatar, his FP2 best beating 2020 title rival Bezzecchi to the honour by 0.104s. New Italtrans Racing Team recruit Joe Roberts claims P3 at the end of Day 1, the American 0.313s shy of Lowes’ time. As the sun fell below the horizon and the floodlights lit up Losail International Circuit, every rider was immediately able to better their morning times. Lowes was lapping extremely consistently and with 20 minutes to go, 2020’s third place finisher was over half a second clear of his nearest rivals. Roberts, last year’s polesitter, did then cut the gap to 0.4s as we started to see some riders push for quick times, with plenty of eyes turning towards the top 14 places and automatic Q2 promotion. Bezzecchi then slotted into P2 with just under 10 minutes to go, the difference down to little over a tenth, but the Italian remained the only rider to get near to Lowes’ effort. Plenty of chopping and changing occurred inside the top 10, but the fastest duo from FP1 would lead the way again – this time the opposite way around. Roberts finished P14 in FP1 but strung together a good run at the end of the day to finish third, with Xavi Vierge (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Remy Gardner (Red Bull KTM Ajo) rounding out a very strong fastest five at the end of the first day of Moto2™ action in 2021. After a P4 in the opening Free Practice session, Bo Bendsneyder (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) continued to impress on the Kalex chassis and finished Day 1 in P6, just under half a second from Lowes. Seventh fastest Nicolo Bulega (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) rose up from P18 to safely cement a place in the top ten as Raul Fernandez (Red Bull KTM Ajo) claimed quickest rookie honours on Day 1 once again in eighth. Jake Dixon (Petronas Sprinta Racing) and Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) finished P9 and P10, with the leading 10 competitors are split by 0.597s heading into qualifying day. Marcel Schrötter (Liqui Moly Intact GP), his rookie teammate Tony Arbolino, veteran Tom Lüthi (Pertamina Mandalika SAG Team) and Aron Canet (Inde Aspar Team) completed the fastest 14 on Friday. Ai Ogura and Idemitsu Honda Team Asia teammate Somkiat Chantra crashed in FP1 and FP2 respectively, both riders were unhurt. Will the current top 14 stay as they are for qualifying? You’ll find out by tuning into Moto2™ FP3 at 14:20 local time (GMT+3), before qualifying from 18:25. Moto2™ Friday top five: 1 Sam Lowes – Elf Marc VDS Racing Team – Kalex – 1:58.959 2 Marco Bezzecchi – Sky Racing Team VR46 – Kalex – +0.104 3 Joe Roberts – Italtrans Racing Team – Kalex – +0.313 4 Xavi Vierge – Petronas Sprinta Racing – Kalex – +0.337 5 Remy Gardner – Red Bull KTM Ajo – Kalex – +0.361 Toba goes top as five riders end Friday within a tenth  The 2019 Qatar GP winner edges out Masia, Rodrigo, Garcia and Dupasquier on Day 1 of 2021 And… we’re off! After the first full day of 2021 race weekend action for Moto3™, it’s Kaito Toba (CIP Green Power) who heads the timesheets after an impressive day’s work from the 2019 Qatar GP winner. It was almost unbelievably close at the top, however, with Jaume Masia (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 0.042 back, followed by Gabriel Rodrigo (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) 0.068 off, Sergio Garcia (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar Team) within 0.096 and Jason Dupasquier (CarXpert PrüstelGP) impressing to end the day just 0.099 off the top. Even the man in sixth, Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), was only three thousandths further back… The morning session opened with Pedrosa Acosta (Red Bull KTM Ajo) on top as the rookies continued to impress, but the veterans turned the screw on the timsheets by the end of play. Izan Guevara (GASGAS Gaviota Aspar Team) also suffered his first World Championship crash in the afternoon, but rider ok. There were no other incidents to report, helping most get in a full day of running and every rider improved by the end of play. Behind the five riders – six, being generous about three thousands for Antonelli – within a tenth at the top, Jeremy Alcoba (Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3) was P7 and only 0.182 off Toba, flanked by John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) as the Scotsman was 0.037 in further arrears. Andrea Migno (Rivacold Snipers Team) and Maximilian Kofler (CIP Green Power) completed the top ten, the gap between the two an infinitesimal 0.005. If Q2 were decided now, it would be Carlos Tatay (Avintia Esponsorama Moto3), Dennis Foggia (Leopard Racing) – who didn’t run much in FP1 – Ayumu Sasaki (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) and the aforementioned Acosta who would be heading through. Darryn Binder (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was the first to miss out, Guevara was 20th, and the returning Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) in P24 after Day 1, so they’ll be some of the key names looking to move forward in FP3.  With a top 14 on Friday split by just over half a second, there’s everything to play for. Tune in on Saturday at 13:25 (GMT +3) as the first Q2 entrants are decided in FP3, before qualifying for the Moto3™ class from 17:30. Moto3™ Friday top five: 1 Kaito Toba – CIP Green Power – KTM –  2:04.839 2 Jaume Masia – Red Bull KTM Ajo – KTM –  +0.042 3 Gabriel Rodrigo – Indonesian Racing Gresini Moto3 – Honda – +0.099 4 Sergio Garcia – GASGAS Gaviota Aspar Team – GASGAS – +0.096 5 Jason Dupasquier – CarXpert PrüstelGP – KTM – +0.099

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Atthaya and Chorphaka share lead at Phoenix Ladies Classic

Mar 26. 2021Atthaya Thitikul

By THE NATION

Teen sensation Atthaya Thitikul recovered from a double-bogey with a dazzling back-nine to share a one-stroke lead with Chorphaka Jaengjit after the opening round of the Bt1 million Phoenix Ladies Classic on Friday.

Chorphaka Jaengjit

The young star, who made history here at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club Pattaya as the youngest Ladies European Tour winner in 2017 at only 14, bounced back from a double bogey on the ninth to shoot four birdies and one eagle on the 16th for an opening 65.

The Ratchaburi-based player, 18, feels at home on this par-72 layout of 6,328 yards, having clinched the LET Thailand Championship title twice here in 2017 and 2019.

“It always feels great to come back as I have good memories here. Conditions are still pretty much the same but the greens are a bit slower than two years ago,” said Atthaya, who rushed off to work on her drives after the round. A poor tee shot was responsible for her double-bogey at the end of the front nine.

“I putted so well but my driver really let me down. I was hitting to the left and right for a while, and on the ninth my tee shot landed in the bunker. I really need to find my momentum,” added the teenager, playing her third event of the season after competing against the men at the Thailand Mixed where she finished second, and the All Thailand Golf Tour in Nakhon Ratchasima (missed the cut).

While Atthaya blemished her scorecard, co-leader Chorphaka enjoyed an error-free round of five birdies on the front nine and two more after the turn.

“I hit 12 fairways, 15 greens and made 26 putts. I hit some good shots today even it was a bit windy in the afternoon,” said the 28-year-old who married fellow pro golfer and two-time Asian Tour winner Pavit Tangkamolprasert last December.

“I’d love to hit this score again tomorrow. If I can continue like this, I will stand a very good chance this week,” said Nonthaburi-born Chorphaka, whose career highlight so far is a win on the Symetra Tour in 2017.

Kultida Pramphun

Following a shot behind in lone third was Kultida Pramphun, who fired a bogey-free 66. Chiang Mai-born Chanettee Wannasaen and Jackie Chulya were in tied fourth on 67.

Two amateurs scored holes-in-one earlier in the day. Praewa Kongpholphrom hit bull’s-eye with her tee shot on the par-3, 149-yard seventh hole before Waraporn Wimonwan repeated the feat on the par-3 159-yard fifth hole.

The Phoenix Ladies Classic is the inaugural tournament of the newly established Thai Women’s Professional Golf Association.

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Wie West returns to LPGA at KIA Classic

Mar 25. 2021Michelle Wie West (Photo credit to LPGA)

She finally admitted what those of us who were there suspected all along. When Michelle Wie West walked onto the patio at Hazeltine National on Friday of the 2019 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, you could see it in her teary eyes and hear it in her cracking voice. 

She was done. 

The wrist injury, one of the many that beset the former U.S. Women’s Open champion, seemed like a last straw. She had played with more tape than a Final Four basketball team, worn more braces than an offensive lineman, and adjusted her swing more times to accommodate her body than anyone could count only to endure one frustration after another. She didn’t say at the time or in the almost two years after. But when she walked toward her courtesy car on that sunny Minneapolis afternoon, everyone thought it was the last time they would see Michelle in competition.  

On Wednesday at Aviara, a day before the opening round of the Kia Classic, Wie West admitted as much.  

“I thought I was done, to be honest,” Wie West said. “After KPMG in 2019 I thought I was done, especially when I found out I was pregnant later that year. I thought that cemented it. I thought there was no chance of coming back. And I told my husband that. He was like, ‘No, no, just think it through.’” 

Wie West’s husband is Jonnie West, the director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors and son of legendary NBA star Jerry West. It’s ironic that Michelle’s father-in-law is the model for the NBA logo since most people assume Michelle’s statuesque finish was the inspiration behind the LPGA logo. They are a star-studded family of down-to-earth people, the kind you would feel just as good about having over to your house for dinner as you would having them sit beside you courtside during a playoff game.  

Wie West is back inside the ropes now, not despite her pregnancy, but because of it. 

“We found out that Makenna was going to be a girl and that just changed my perspective on everything,” Wie West said. “It was crazy how just that one little fact changed everything. 

“That’s when I started to think, ‘You know, I kind of want to (play again). I want to show (my daughter) in real time that I can, that I play golf. It’s one thing to have her watch YouTube videos. It’s another thing to have her watch me with her own eyes. Seeing me go out there, work at it hard, and try to lead by example. 

“That moment that Tiger had with Charlie (in the PNC Championship), that is the first thing that popped into my mind. That’s been a huge motivation and that’s been a new dream of mine.”

To read the full story from Steve Eubanks on LPGA.com, visit:

https://www.lpga.com/news/2021/michelle-wie-west-returns-to-competition

NASA HATAOKA READY FOR THOSE AVIARA HILLS

Two years later and Nasa Hataoka finally has a chance to defend her 2019 Kia Classic title. The Japanese phenom captured her third career LPGA Tour title with a three-stroke win at Aviara Golf Club. With the 2020 tournament cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Hataoka is extra pleased to take to the course this year.

“I’ve been looking forward to coming back here,” said Hataoka. “It’s a lot of memories here for me. It’s quite a lot, but I’m very happy.”

Among those great memories are the many hills that traverse the Aviara layout. Hataoka, famous for the small bounce onto her toes that she takes before each shot, laughed when asked if this week requires more physical fitness than the average tournament.

“I think this course causes me to be breathing rough and tough when I’m at the tee,” said Hataoka, who tees off Thursday at 8:06 a.m. PT with Lexi Thompson and Ally Ewing. “So I think a lot of training really works out.”

COMING OFF SECOND WIN IN SEVEN MONTHS, AUSTIN ERNST IS UP FOR THE CHALLENGE AGAIN

Most recent LPGA Tour champion Austin Ernst earned her third career title earlier this month at the Drive On Championship presented by Volvik at Golden Ocala. Even with two victories over the last seven months, she knows just how difficult it is to find the winner’s circle.

“I think the Tour is as deep as it has ever been,” said Ernst. “We get better players coming in, whether it is young players or international players. It seems like the fields get deeper each week and it gets harder to win every year.

“I feel like I have gotten better every year that I’ve been on Tour and I had a six-year hiatus [from the winner’s circle] from 2014 to 2020. I think it’s harder than ever to win. But it really solidifies, when you can do it, just how well you’re playing.”

She also knows what it takes to put together a championship week, both in come-from-behind fashion like her final-round 8-under 63 to win the 2020 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, and through sheer dominance, demonstrated by a five-stroke victory three weeks ago in central Florida.

“Golf is weird because you win once [in] a year and you’ve had a great year, so it’s different than other sports, but I think my mindset that week [at Golden Ocala] was something that I can try to replicate every week,” Ernst said. “The game might not always be there, but I think if I can be that sharp mentally it will definitely help. You can’t expect to go win by five every week but it’s a good goal to have. If I could be in that spot that I was in every week, then I would find myself in contention a little more often.”

With the two weeks off before the start of the West Coast Swing at the Kia Classic, Ernst was able to celebrate her win with friends in Florida and family in Virginia. She called herself and fiancée Jason Dods “young snowbirds,” since they split time between Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. and Richmond, Va., where Jason’s parents live, on weeks off.

Ernst will look for a second consecutive title in as many LPGA starts this week at Aviara Golf Club. She opens play tomorrow at 12:55 p.m. PT off No. 1 tee with Inbee Park and Danielle Kang.

MO MARTIN CONTINUES HER #DRIVEON JOURNEY AT THE KIA CLASSIC

Major champion Mo Martin seemingly always has a smile on her face, and that smile becomes a full-on grin whenever she steps foot onto Aviara Golf Club. The 2014 AIG Women’s Open winner grew up in suburban Los Angeles and loves it any time she gets to cruise down the 5 to Carlsbad.

“I love southern California for so many reasons and I love this golf course. It’s one of my favorites. Definitely all season, all of my career, really love playing here. I think my second year here I finished in a tie for second,” said Martin. “I’ve just had good vibes, even from the volunteers to all my fans and family that have come down. It’s just been special. I felt a lot of support and just felt like it’s home.”

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions, Martin’s family can’t join her on site this week. She even joked that she asked security that “if they see my mom in the bushes trying to sneak through, don’t tackle her too hard. Just gently bring her away.” But she’ll keep the memory of those Go Mo buttons close to heart.

This week also marks just Martin’s fourth LPGA Tour event since the 2019 ANA Inspiration, battling with a back injury that left her sidelined for months. Martin has long been a fighter, telling her #DriveOn “Never Quit” story of childhood golf instruction from her dad and a book, limited financial means and even more limited opportunities. That Drive On spirit helped Martin push through the last two difficult years, knowing that she was made it through tough times to earn that first title at Royal Birkdale and knowing that this game has brought so much goodness into her life.

“I fell in love with golf really from day one, and through junior golf somebody anonymously started paying my entry fees and helped me for a couple years,” said Martin, who walked on at UCLA and ended up with a four-year collegiate career. “Through this piece and reaching out to a few people I was able to find that person to thank them and promise them that I’m going to continue to do the same thing – to look out for the kids who may be lost in the cracks to come and just to hopefully have everybody that wants to be a part of golf be a part of golf and let that magic happen, too.”

Martin will start her 2021 LPGA Tour season at 7:33 a.m. PT off No. 10 tee, playing alongside Escondido native Haley Moore and University of Southern California alumna Jennifer Chang.

BY THE NUMBERS—KIA CLASSIC

The following statistics were compiled by Amy Mills, Senior Manager of Statistical Research for the LPGA.

Inbee Park has recorded four top-six finishes including two runner-up performances (2016, 2019) in her last seven Kia Classic starts. Park is a combined 72-under par at Aviara Golf Club since 2013, which is eleven strokes better than any other player during this time.