Marquez makes it the triple crown for Honda, Quartararo and Miller follow him home

Posted on November 18, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Marquez makes it the triple crown for Honda, Quartararo and Miller follow him home

Nov 18. 2019

Marc Marquez

By THE NATION

332 Viewed

Some familiar faces were on the podium in Valencia, with the final glory of the season decided

Marc Marquez claimed victory number 12 of the season at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, making the Repsol Honda Team Team Champions to add to his rider title and the constructors’ Championship – the triple crown. Teammate Jorge Lorenzo also scored points in his final MotoGP™ rider, with the five-time World Champion bidding an emotional farewell to the sport. Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT), meanwhile, signed off with another impressive podium in second, and he pipped Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) to the title of top Independent Team rider as the Aussie followed him home in third.Miller launched his Pramac Racing machine into the holeshot, with Marquez getting a sluggish getaway from the middle of the front row to drop down to P6, having run slightly wide at Turn 1. Polesitter Quartararo then grabbed the lead from Miller as the Australian ran wide at Turn 2, with the Frenchman quickly creating a small gap to his rivals. Heading into Turn 1 on Lap 2, Marquez was into P3 past the fast-starting duo of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) and Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), however, and it wouldn’t take the 2019 Champion long to pick off Miller as he locked his radar onto Quartararo.

The Rookie of the Year’s lead was 0.7 over Marquez, with the latter racing to an eight-tenths advantage over Miller. Marquez was creeping up to the back of the leading M1 slowly but surely, and on Lap 8 a surprise, late but super fine move at Turn 11 saw the number 93 lead. Suddenly third place Miller – with Dovizioso and Rins in tow – had closed the gap to less than half a second, the top five covered by 1.7. However, Marquez was in the groove and the eight-time Champion had pulled to over half a second clear of Quartararo, with the gap hovering between 0.6 and 0.8 for a number of laps after. Miller wasn’t letting Quartararo have P2 all his own way either, that margin was remaining at a second – enough to keep the number 20 on his toes.

Everyone held firm before a tenth here and a tenth there saw Marquez stretch his advantage to one and a half seconds with six laps remaining, with Miller cutting the gap to Quartararo down by four tenths. It was 0.6, but was there a late twist for P2 inbound? Not quite, Miller didn’t have enough speed to catch the back of the M1 by the time the chequered flag was waved, with Marquez taking another 25-point haul to land Repsol Honda Team the 2019 triple crown, Quartararo taking another podium and beating Miller to top Independent Team rider.

Dovizioso and Ducati’s aims of picking up the Teams title didn’t materialise in Valencia, but P4 was a solid result for the Italian who was comfortably best of the rest in 2019. Rins capped off a fine season by claiming P5 at his home Grand Prix, however it wasn’t enough to grab P3 in the Championship from sixth place finisher Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) – the Malaysian GP winner having a quiet final round of the season before jumping onto the 2020 Yamaha on Tuesday.

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in seventh was a great way to round off a very solid rookie MotoGP™ campaign, the Spaniard ending 2019 with five consecutive top 10s after an impressive comeback from his testing crash at Brno. Valentino Rossi’s (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) P8 sees the nine-time World Champion end the season P7 in the overall standings, with Aleix coming out on top in the battle of the Espargaro brothers – P9 for Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini), P10 for Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). That makes it all factories in the top ten.

Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team), Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Idemitsu) and Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) all crashed at Turn 6, on Lap 14, in separate incidents, although Lecuona was close behind Zarco and the Frenchman got flipped by the KTM. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol), Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Andrea Iannone (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) also crashed – all riders ok.

On his final ever MotoGP™ ride, five-time World Champion and future MotoGP™ Legend Jorge Lorenzo finished P13. It was an emotional day for the Spaniard who arrived back into pitlane to rapturous applause, with the Valencia fans paying their full respects to one of the sport’s greatest ever riders on his cool-down lap. #ThankYouJorge!

So, 2019 draws to a close. But don’t worry, 2020 is just around the corner! Testing begins in Valencia on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 November – so stay tuned! Rookies, new bikes, old rivalries and another season of awesome competition is just around the corner.

Marc Marquez: “The perfect season. So difficult to improve this season because the way we rode all season, the consistency and everything, has been amazing. Finishing the season with a victory, riding with a gold helmet – which is always extra pressure because if you ride with a gold helmet you need to be smart and clever – is special too but also for all the Repsol Honda Team it was important too. The Teams Championship. We achieved it, the triple crown. An amazing, amazing season and all the team deserve it.”

Race results:

1 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) 41’21.4692 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) +1.026

3 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +2.409

*Independent Team riders

A sign of things to come?

One bike or two?

Miller celebrated signing off the season in Miller style

We rounded out the season with another Marquez vs Quartararo duel

Podium L-R: Quartararo, Marquez and Miller

Binder makes it a hat-trick to sign off from Moto2™ in style

South African takes his fifth win of the season to finish second overall by just three points, with Lüthi and Navarro on the chase

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) leaves the intermediate class on a high after taking his fifth win of the year – and third in a row – in the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. The South African played his cards to perfection to out-duel his main rival for second overall, Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP), with the Swiss rider forced to settle for second on the day and third in the standings. Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) completed the podium on true home turf, the Valencian taking his eighth podium of the year.Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) took the holeshot from second on the grid, with Lüthi up into second and Binder making a storming getaway to soon attack Navarro for third. Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Temporary Forward) was one big loser off the front row as he got shuffled down to sixth, but the field remained tightly packed for the first lap and for many it stayed that way to the end – including the battle at the front.

Two men soon emerged in the early stages, however: Binder and Lüthi. The duo, fighting over second overall in the standings, didn’t take long to take their duel to the front, with Navarro the man on the chase. A couple of laps later the gaps between the front three were pretty equal though, with Martin left heading the fight for fourth ahead of Manzi.

Lüthi, however, was turning the screw, and the Swiss rider was able to start pulling out another gap. But Binder was able to respond, and not too long after Navarro and Manzi, who had dispatched Martin, had closed in too. It was a concertina between two duels and a four-way fight, but Binder had a plan.

Leaving it late, the South African pounced to perfection with a couple of laps to go, then pulling the pin and blasting away to give himself a gap. Uncatchable, Binder crossed the line seven tenths clear for his fifth win of the season.

He also, therefore, beat Lüthi both on the day and in the standings overall as the Swiss rider was forced to settle for second, able to stay clear of the clutches of Navarro and Manzi. That duel got even closer at the final corner as the Italian looked to be sizing up a move and then tried to out-drag the Speed Up to the line, but it wasn’t to be and Navarro took yet another podium to end his season on a high on home turf.

Martin was fifth as he managed to fend off an Augusto Fernandez (Flexbox HP 40) on the charge, with Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) not too far off the two ahead of him either and taking P7. Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) finished off his season in eighth, just pipping Fabio Di Giannantonio (MB Conveyors Speed Up). But the number 21 wrapped up Rookie of the Year with ninth place, with closest rival Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team) in P13.

Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) completed the top ten, with a bit of breathing space back to Mattia Pasini (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2). Dominique Aegerter (MV Agusta Temporary Forward) was 13th and made it two MVs in the points, ahead of Bastianini.

Jake Dixon took fourteenth and rounded out his time with the Inde Angel Nieto Team with his best weekend of the season, with Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) completing the points.

Newly-crowned Champion Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), meanwhile, made a great start to move up into fifth by the latter stages of the race, but disaster struck for the number 73 at Turn 11 as he slid out of contention.

That’s it from 2019 and an incredible season of racing in the intermediate class. You could say it was a triumph, and it certainly was for the top three: Marquez’ points advantage was just three after the final race, with Binder’s brilliant win securing him second overall. Lüthi’s podium assured him third, with Navarro’s doing the same for fourth. Now it’s time to rest, test and repeat – so make sure to join us again for 2020.

Brad Binder: “I don’t know where to start, I need to say a big thank you to my team, things got really tough at one stage and we managed to keep fighting and stay focused. We didn’t get the job done in the end but to be three points from the winner is incredible . I just need to say a huge thank you to all my guys, to KTM…I’m so happy to have finished off on a high for them and I can’t wait to get started on Tuesday!”

Race results:

1 – Brad Binder (RSA – KTM) 25’30.7662 – Tom Lüthi (SWI – Kalex) +0.735

3 – Jorge Navarro (SPA – Speed Up) +1.045

Podium L-R: Lüthi, Binder and Navarro

Garcia grabs maiden win with a last corner lunge

0.005 splits the top two, with Artigas making a stunning debut in third

Ratchanok goes down fighting in Hong Open final

Posted on November 18, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Ratchanok goes down fighting in Hong Open final

Nov 17. 2019

Ratchanok Intanon and Chen Yu Fei

By THE NATION

1,313 Viewed

Former world champion Ratchanok Intanon’s title hopes in the Sunrise-Yonex Hong Kong Open ended when she tripped at the final hurdle at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Sunday afternoon after putting up a tough fight.

The fifth-seeded Thai lost the women’s singles final to third-seeded Chen Yu Fei of China 21-18 13-21 21-13 after a 65-minute encounter.

The 24-year-old Thai from Yasothon province was eyeing her third title of the year, having won the Malaysia Masters and India Open Super 500 events.

Tammy tastes doubles success on comeback to the circuit

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Tammy tastes doubles success on comeback to the circuit

Nov 17. 2019

Tamarine Tanasugarn, right and Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove of the Netherlands

By THE NATION518 Viewed

Former world No 19 Tamarine Tanasugarn won her first title in five years after she and her Dutch partner Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove beat former French Open finalist Zheng Saisai of China and Ng Kwan-yau of Hong Kong in the final of the US$25,000 Cal-Comp and XYZ Printing ITF World Tennis Tour in Hua Hin on Saturday.

The 42-year-old winner of four WTA titles celebrated her first win since 2015 following a win over Zheng and Ng 6-2 7-6 (7-5), making amends for her loss in the final of the first circuit at True Arena a week ago.

“I won it finally,” said Tamarine, who returned to the circuit earlier this year after retiring in 2016. “I have to give credit to my partner, Lesley, who agreed to pair up with me when I had no doubles partner. This is a great win as we really fought hard. Zheng is a French Open doubles finalist [along with Duan Yingying this year]. I’m so happy to win at home,” the former Thai No 1 said.

Tamarine will also represent Thailand in the Manila SEA Games in December. She had won the singles gold in Chiang Mai in 1995.

World’s top athletes sign up for Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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World’s top athletes sign up for Laguna Phuket Triathlon

Nov 17. 2019

By THE NATION

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The Race of Legends returns next week with a strong pro athlete line up vying for US$20,000 (Bt605,500) prize purse on November 24 in Phuket. Headlining this year’s pro field is Michael Raelert (Germany) who holds three-peat LPT Championship (2015-2017).

He will be joined by Luke McKenzie (Australia), Ruedi Wild (Switzerland) who has double LPT wins in 2012 and 2013, Per van Vlerken (Germany), and Massimo Cigana (Italy) who currently holds four-time LPT champion status.

In the women’s field, sports fans will get to see top performances by LPT podium veteran Imogen Simmonds (Switzerland) whose recent impressive records includes a great debut performance in Kona, 3rd in the Nice World Championship and 2nd Frankfurt’s European Championship. Simmonds will race neck and neck with Emma Pallent (UK) and Yvonne van Vlerken (Netherlands) aka “The Flying Dutchwoman”. Beth McKenzie (USA) will also be there.

Thai triathletes will be led by Phuket-born Jaray Jearanai who holds the record as LPT’s Thai champion for 8 consecutive years (since 2011) and recently broke his own record at the World Championship in Kona.

The 26th Laguna Phuket Triathlon, comprising a 1.8km swim, a 50km bike event and a 12km run in Asia’s Laguna Phuket resort area as well as various scenic locations in Thalang District of the island, takes place on Sunday and features the short distance race the “25 For 25 Sprint”. The sold-out sprint triathlon race comprises a 0.5km swim, 18.5km bike and 6km run and is expected to draw spectators from around the world.

The 2019 LPT will also see LPT Charity Fun Run on Saturday featuring a 2km Kids run plus 5km and 10m runs and will raise funds in support of more than 400 underprivileged children in Phuket’s 7 orphanages through Children First Fund (CFF) as well as hospitals in Thailand through Kao Kon La Kao Foundatio

Quartararo draws first to deny Marquez the final pole of 2019

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Quartararo draws first to deny Marquez the final pole of 2019

Nov 17. 2019

By THE NATION

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The rookie once again topples the reigning Champion in qualifying – but it’s as close as ever

On Friday at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, it was all about one man: Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT). A day later and the headlines don’t need too much adjusting, with the French rookie putting in another superlative performance in qualifying to take the final pole position of the season – his sixth in his rookie year. It was a close run duel with reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), however, with the number 93 losing out by just 0.032 despite a crash in FP4. Jack Miller (Pramac Racing), another man with some serious pace so far, converted that into a front row start and he’ll start third.The chill had been taken out the day by the time qualifying came around, and in Q1 it was Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) vs Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in a duel for supremacy – with the former coming out on top, but by just 0.005. Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Idemitsu) was the man who just lost out in P13, with the 12 men ahead of him then heading out to fight for pole.

Given his performances in qualifying so far this season, it was no surprise to see Quartararo on provisional pole after the first run, but Miller was coming. The Australian was able to take over at the top as the riders headed back out, but it didn’t take too long for Quartararo to strike back. Provisionally fastest once again and Marquez taking over in second, there remained one more shot at it for most. Could the reigning Champion ruin the rookie party?

As the clock ticked down, many were still pushing but the timing screens remained resolutely free of red. Quartararo couldn’t better himself, and Marquez and Miller had no answer for the Frenchman. So a sixth pole of the season is the number 20’s sign off from rookie Saturdays, and he’ll be aiming, as ever, for a maiden win on Sunday. But Marquez will doubtless be keen to stand in his way as he homes in on 400 points, with Miller with his own high stakes as he aims to stop Quartararo taking the title of top Independent Team rider too.

On the second row it’s Sepang winner Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in fourth, with Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) in a solid fifth. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) slotted into sixth as the only man who improved on his final lap, aiming to stop Marquez from giving Repsol Honda the teams’ Championship.

Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) got the better of Q1 graduate and teammate Alex Rins to take seventh, with Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) completing the third row alongside the two Suzukis. Ducati Team’s Danilo Petrucci rounds out the top 10 in Valencia.

Pol Espargaro managed to beat Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) to P11, with the KTM man aiming even higher on race day. But on that race day, Rossi will be eager to hit back and move a good way forward – with Saturday sessions largely having seen ‘The Doctor’ further forward, despite a tough Friday.

Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, will begin an emotionally-charged final race of his career from 16th.

Can Quartararo grab that first MotoGP™ win before the 2019 season comes to a close? The scrap for the final 25 points of the year looks set to be a cracker, with plenty on the table and history guaranteed to be made. Tune in for the Valencia GP at 14:00 local time (GMT+1).

Qualifying results:

1 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) 1’29.9782 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +0.032

3 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +0.108

*Independent Team rider

Marquez was…overshadowed, but by mere hundredths

Miller locked out the front row

Front row L-R: Marquez, Quartararo and Miller

Navarro pips Martin for home turf pole

The rider from Valencia comes out on top by mere hundredths, Manzi puts MV Agusta on the front row

Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) has taken the final Moto2™ pole position of the season on home turf, but he had close company from rookie Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. The two Spaniards are split by just 0.017, with Stefano Manzi claiming a maiden front row start of the season for MV Agusta Temporary Forward in third.Navarro’s teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio was the early pacesetter in Moto2™ Q2, but the Italian’s session would soon end in the gravel trap at Turn 5. With seven minutes to go ‘Diggia’ remained top as his 2018 Moto3™ teammate Martin slotted himself into P2, however, and it was then Manzi’s turn to get even closer as the gap was cut to 0.039. Free Practice timesheet topper Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) then took second, but soon the tables turned and it was another Speed Up at the summit – Navarro going 0.185 faster than anyone and Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46) going second quickest.

It wasn’t done there though. Manzi then went second ahead of his fellow VR46 Academy rider Marini to all-but seal MV’s first Moto2™ front row of the season. It wouldn’t prove to be P2 though, as that went to Martin in the dying stages of the session as two Spaniards sit first and second at their home round – Navarro a Valencian too. Manzi’s class weekend continues as he picks up his best-ever Grand Prix front row start.

Marini had to settle for P4 in the end, ahead of Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP), who will aim to claim the 2019 runners-up spot from the middle of the second row. Di Giannantonio could do nothing more than watch on as he slipped to P6 from provisional pole.

Binder will have been hoping for more and he’ll scrap with Lüthi for P2 in the World Championship from the front of a third row completed by Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) and Enea Bastianini (Italtrans Racing Team). Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2) completed the top 10.

Xavi Vierge (EG 0,0 Marc VDS), Mattia Pasini (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2), Andrea Locatelli (Italtrans Racing Team) and Remy Gardner (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) were next up, ahead of 2019 World Champion Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) in P15.

We look set for a sensational final Moto2™ race of 2019, so tune in for it live at 12:20 local time (GMT+1) on Sunday!

Qualifying results:

1 – Jorge Navarro (SPA – Speed Up) 2’05.244 2 – Jorge Martin (SPA – KTM) +0.017

3 – Stefano Manzi (ITA – MV Agusta) +0.172

Front row L-R: Martin, Navarro and Manzi

Migno claims maiden Moto3™ pole

Italian nearly three tenths clear for his first pole position on his 100th start

For the first time in his career and ahead of a landmark, Andrea Migno (Mugen Race) has claimed pole position thanks to a 1:38.683 in Moto3™ Q2 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. The Italian beat home hero Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) by 0.274 on Saturday afternoon, with Valencian rider Jaume Masia (Mugen Race) completing the front row but a couple of further tenths in arrears.It was Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) who set the early lightweight class benchmark in the fight for pole, the Italian pocketing a 1:39.603 to lead Masia by a tenth after the riders had completed a couple of flying laps each. However, Migno and Tatsuki Suzuki (SIC58 Squadra Corse) then moved the goalposts as the duo shot to P1 and P2 respectively, with Migno holding a fairly considerable two-tenth advantage.

Disaster then struck for Arbolino at Turn 2, however, a highside on the exit sending him out of Q2, although he’s fit to race. Meanwhile, having come into the pits, the lightweight class riders then filed out for their last attacks on pole.

Doing so first was Q1 graduate and reigning Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup Champion Carlos Tatay (Reale Avintia Arizona 77), the future full-time Moto3™ rider slotting his KTM into P3 before a flurry of times came rolling in. Red and orange sectors filled the timing screens but there was one rider going faster than the rest: Migno. 0.3 up after three splits, the Italian took the chequered flag to regain pole position after Ramirez had briefly taken over at the summit. Masia’s second run saw the Spaniard pick up P3 on Saturday afternoon for his first front row start since taking pole in Argentina.

Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team), another home hero and the man in Arbolino’s sights for second overall on Sunday, was one of the last riders to cross the line as he jumped from P13 to P4 on his final lap. Rookie and compatriot Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) starts alongside him as he kept his impressive speed at the venue going at his local venue, ahead of a career best for Filip Salac (Redox PrüstelGP) by far as the Czech rider reaching the top 10 on Saturday for the first time and is sixth.

2019 Champion Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) is 0.597 back from pole as he aims to win four in a row and be the first to do so, and the Italian was followed by two Q1 graduates in P8 and P9 – Suzuki and Darryn Binder (CIP – Green Power). Binder, however, will start from pitlane after a penalty for irresponsible riding. That boosts Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers) up a place after he completed the fastest top 10 in Moto3™ qualifying. Tatay pipped Arbolino just behind.

Migno – on his 100th Grand Prix weekend – Ramirez and Masia is your final lightweight class front row of 2019, but who will be the final winner? Find out on Sunday morning at 11:00 local time (GMT+1)!

Qualifying results:

1 – Andrea Migno (ITA – KTM) 1’38.6832 – Marcos Ramirez (SPA – Honda) +0.274

3 – Jaume Masia (SPA – KTM) +0.424

Front row L-R: Ramirez, Migno and Masia

Stenson and Rai confirmed for Hong Kong Open

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Stenson and Rai confirmed for Hong Kong Open

Nov 17. 2019

By THE NATION

103 Viewed

Major Champion Henrik Stenson has confirmed he will make his debut at the Hong Kong Open, with the Swede set to join defending champion Aaron Rai in a star- studded field in the opening event of the European Tour’s 2020 Race to Dubai, from November 28 – December 1, 2019.

Hosted by Hong Kong Golf Club, the Hong Kong Open will also continue to play a decisive role in shaping the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit as it is one of the last few remaining events on the Tour’s schedule.

Stenson became the first male Scandinavian Major winner when he triumphed in The 145th Open at Royal Troon three years ago, and will be aiming to add to his 11 European Tour wins when he tees it up at Hong Kong Golf Club for the 61st edition of Hong Kong’s longest standing professional sporting event.

The Ryder Cup star lifted the Claret Jug in 2016 after he recorded a 63 on Sunday in a thrilling battle with Phil Mickelson, which drew comparisons with the legendary ‘Duel in the Sun’ between Tom Watson and Jack Nicklaus in 1977.

The 43-year-old, who topped the Race to Dubai in 2013 and 2016, will begin his 2020 campaign with a new tournament when he tees off for the first time at the famed Hong Kong Golf Club, which is celebrating its 130th anniversary this year.

“I’m excited to play the Hong Kong Open for the first time in my career,” said Stenson, the current World Number 37. “It is hard to believe that I have not played this tournament before because I’ve always heard great things about the golf course, the city and the fans, so it’s nice to kick off my 2020 Race to Dubai season with something a little bit different.”

Rai, meanwhile, claimed his maiden European Tour title after holding off Matthew Fitzpatrick to secure a one-shot victory during a thrilling final-round battle at Hong Kong Golf Club last year and now the Englishman will be hoping for another special week when he defends a title on the European circuit for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to defending my title at the Hong Kong Open,” said Rai. “Winning last year was incredible for me – the course is amazing, the city is great, and the crowds showed me some great support throughout the week. I will always have wonderful memories from this event and cannot wait to be back in a few weeks’ time.”

William Doo, Jr., Captain of Hong Kong Golf Club, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Henrik Stenson to our club for the very first time. The championship, which is now in its 61st year, has a strong track record of attracting the greatest names in golf, and Henrik is certainly amongst the very best. His involvement, as well as that of our defending champion Aaron Rai, who played so brilliantly to capture his first European Tour title last year, makes for a really exciting event, and we look forward to hosting another spectacular week of world-class golf.”

Dr Y.K. Pang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), said: “The Hong Kong Open is one of the key highlights on Hong Kong’s events calendar. Each year, elite golfers from around the world gather in Hong Kong to compete for the historic Hong Kong Open title. Golfers and fans from overseas not only get four days of world-class competitive play during their stay in Hong Kong, they also get to experience the diverse tourism offerings in Asia’s world city. With centuries of history and a rich living culture on display, Hong Kong showcases exciting sports events that appeal to visitors of all interests, and a wealth of unique and authentic experiences for them to appreciate.”

Kenneth Lam, President of the Hong Kong Golf Association, said: “We are thrilled with today’s announcement that Aaron Rai will return to Hong Kong to defend his Open title and that he will be joined by Henrik Stenson for his debut at this historic event. We very much look forward to welcoming enthusiastic crowds to the Hong Kong Open this year and hope that our ‘Free Thursday and Friday’ ticket initiative can continue to inspire a new generation of golfers in Hong Kong. Having the chance to watch great champions like Stenson and Rai in action, free of charge is a rare opportunity and we hope the public continue take advantage of this great initiative”.

The tournament is free to attend on Thursday 28th and Friday 29th November for all. Under 21s go free for all four tournament days. For more information see http://www.thehongkongopen.com

The Hong Kong Open has also been recognized as an “M” Mark event to help enhance the image of Hong Kong. “M” Mark is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizing an intense, spectacular and signature event in the territory sports calendar.

Gritty Ratchanok enters Hong Kong Open final

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Gritty Ratchanok enters Hong Kong Open final

Nov 16. 2019

Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in action during the women's singles quarter-finals against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan on day four of the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Coliseum on November 15, 2019 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand in action during the women’s singles quarter-finals against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan on day four of the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Coliseum on November 15, 2019 in Hong Kong. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

By The Nation

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Thai badminton ace Ratchanok Intanon stormed into the final of the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open, following a hard-fought win against the second-seeded Akane Yamaguchi in the semi-final.

The fifth-seeded Thai fought back after narrowly losing the opening game 23-25 to completely outwit her Japanese rival 21-15 21-12. The match lasted 62 minutes.

She faces third-seeded Chinese Chen Yu Fei who beat American Beiwen Zhang 21-18, 14-21, 21-15 in 53 minutes in the other semi-final.

Ratchanok in semis of Hong Kong Open

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Ratchanok in semis of Hong Kong Open

Nov 16. 2019

Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand seen in action during the women’s singles quarter-finals against Nozomi Okuhara of Japan at the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Coliseum on Friday. Photo: Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

By The Nation

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Thailand had mixed fortunes at the Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open with badminton ace Ratchanok Intanon storming into the semi-finals while giant-killer Busanan Ongbamrungphan lost a hard-fought quarter-final on Friday.

Fifth-seeded Ratchanok beat fourth-seeded former world champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan in straight games 21-19 21-16 in Friday’s quarter-final. She faces Japanese second seed Akane Yamaguchi on Saturday.

Busanan, who had toppled current world champion PV Sindhu of India in the second round, fell to Yamaguchi. Busanan won the first game easily at 21-9 but the Japanese fought back to claim the next two 21-17 21-15.

In the other quarter-final, Beiwen Zhang of the United States will take on third seed Chen Yu Fei. Beiwen beat Russel Hartawan of Indonesia 21-17 21-17 while Chen outlasted seventh-seeded compatriot He Bing Jao 16-21 21-9 21-15.

Granado storms to final E-Pole ahead of Ferrari and Smith

Posted on November 17, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Granado storms to final E-Pole ahead of Ferrari and Smith

Nov 16. 2019

Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing)

By THE NATION

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The Brazilian heads the points leader and the Brit after another down-to-the-wire E-pole at Valencia

Eric Granado (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) set the fastest FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup lap of the weekend to claim E-Pole at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, with the Brazilian back on the front row for the first time since Germany. Cup standings leader Matteo Ferrari (Trentino Gresini MotoE) and Free Practice pacesetter Bradley Smith (One Energy Racing) will join him on the front row for Races 1 and 2, with the Cup finely poised at the season finale.

After the first eight riders had given their all over one flying lap of the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, it was Jesko Raffin (Dynavolt Intact GP) who led the way with a 1:41.218, the Swiss rider making a huge leap forward from his place on the practice timesheets. He was 0.8 clear of Sete Gibernau (Join Contract Pons 40), but the next man up was Xavier Simeon (Avintia Esponsorama Racing) and the Belgian closed the gap to 0.192 despite his ongoing recovery from injury. Hector Garzo (Tech 3 E-Racing), currently second overall, then found time in the last split to move himself into provisional P2 too…

Next up, however, came Granado – and it was a stunner. After three splits the Avintia rider was 0.4 up on Raffin’s time and by the line, 0.666 was the margin. The best lap of the weekend so far piled the pressure on the remaining two riders: Cup leader Ferrari and title contender Smith. Could they compete?

Ferrari was up first having finished P2 in Free Practice, and the Italian put in a solid performance but said he wasn’t out to run risks – and he took second overall. That left only Smith, the fastest in practice, but the Brit was already two tenths off Granado’s best after the first sector. Could the British rider pull it back? Not quite, but in the end, the number 38 was at least able to go 0.085 quicker than Raffin to slot himself onto the front row – something that could prove pivotal come Saturday and Sunday.

Granado, Ferrari, Smith – two of the top three in the title chase sit on the front row, whilst second-place Garzo will launch from P5 just behind the slightly more unknown quantity of Raffin. Who will strike first on Saturday? The maiden MotoE™ title will be decided this weekend and Race 1 will commence at 16:15 local time (GMT+1) – don’t miss it!

Fastest in qualifying

1 – Eric Granado (BRA) 1’40.615
2 – Matteo Ferrari (ITA) +0.341
3 – Bradley Smith (GBR) +0.581

FULL RESULTS

Eric Granado: “I’m very happy, it’s been a tough year for me and I’ve made some mistakes. The team have done a great job but the results weren’t coming. This weekend we did a great job in Free Practice, I had a good feeling with the bike and I was confident I could do a good lap in E-Pole. I didn’t know where I could arrive but in the end I improved my laptime from this morning and I’m very happy. Pole is important because we have two races and to start at the front in both is important, they’re short races and you don’t have time to lose!”

Front row L-R: Ferrari, Granado and Smith

Ferrari starts his assault on the Cup from second

Smith got what he wanted: a front row start for the season finale

Double trouble: Quartararo takes top honours on Day 1

Posted on November 16, 2019 by SoClaimon

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Double trouble: Quartararo takes top honours on Day 1

Nov 16. 2019

Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT)

By THE NATION

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Frenchman fastest in FP1 and FP2, with Viñales the closest man on the chase

FP1 pacesetter Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) made it double trouble for his rivals on Friday at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, topping the timesheets again in the afternoon for dominion on Day 1. He has a tenth and a half in hand over fellow Yamaha rider Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), with World Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) placing P3 so far.After a chillier start, conditions were slightly warmer in the afternoon and allowed some riders to head out and post their best times of the day early in FP2, one of whom was Marquez as he sat on top of the standings in the opening exchanges. He and Viñales had got the better of Quartararo’s FP1 time fairly early on and leapfrogged the Rookie of the Year on the combined times, with Joan Mir (Team Suzuki Ecstar) putting in some impressive laps to claw his way up to P2 overall with around 10 minutes left to play as well. But the clock was ticking down and that meant a shuffle on the way.

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) moved himself into the top 10, Jack Miller (Pramac Racing) and Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha SRT) took P2 and P3 on the combined times respectively and at this stage, FP1 leader Quartararo hadn’t improved. So it was instead Viñales who first displaced Marquez from P1, but the Frenchman was on a charge and made his first gains to get up into second and then go top with an even better effort.

That sees him top so far from Sepang winner Viñales and Champion Marquez, with Miller in fourth at the end of the day despite a crash – and the Australian was second in FP1. Morbidelli takes P5, ahead of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar). The two-time premier class race winner got the better of rookie teammate Mir in the end, but not by much as the number 36 ends Friday in seventh.

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) impressed in P8, with late times from Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) and Johann Zarco (LCR Honda Idemitsu) seeing them grab a top 10 place in ninth and tenth respectively. Zarco’s temporary teammate Crutchlow was the man to lose out as he ended the day in 11th.

He’ll be a big name hoping to improve in FP3, and perhaps the biggest name has the same task ahead of him on Saturday: after crashing in FP1 at Turn 4, Valentino Rossi (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was unfortunately in the gravel again in FP2. This time it was the fast right-hand Turn 10 that caught ‘The Doctor’ out and thankfully the nine-time World Champion was ok, but the same couldn’t be said for his YZR-M1. He was 14th and will be aiming to leapfrog Michele Pirro (Ducati Team), Danilo Petrucci (Ducati Team) and Crutchlow as a minimum before qualifying…

Jorge Lorenzo (Repsol Honda Team) ended his final Friday in the sport in 16th, but just 0.012 off Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Racing) ahead of him. What will Saturday bring? The final fight for automatic entry into Q2 begins at 9:55 (GMT +1) local time, before qualifying starts at 14:10. Will Quartararo keep his dominion on Day 2? Tune in to find out.

Friday’s fastest:

1 – Fabio Quartararo* (FRA – Yamaha) 1’30.7352 – Maverick Viñales (SPA – Yamaha) +0.148

3 – Marc Marquez (SPA – Honda) +0.239

4 – Jack Miller* (AUS – Ducati) +0.265

5 – Franco Morbidelli* (ITA – Yamaha) +0.464

*Independent Team rider

Viñales was second quickest as he got back on track following his win at Sepang

Can Marquez round out a record-breaking season with another win? He started the weekend third

Binder blitzes the field on Friday

South African in a league of his own with a new lap record

Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) wasn’t hanging around in FP2 as he set a new lap record to sit over half a second clear on Day 1 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana. The South African’s 1:34.622 was unmatchable on Friday afternoon, with Augusto Fernandez (FlexBox HP 40) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (MB Conveyors Speed Up) getting the closest but still over half a second back.For Binder, it was suns out, guns blazing as the KTM rider laid waste to Johann Zarco’s previous lap record set in 2016, making a serious statement of intent in his final Friday in the intermediate class – despite a wobble just beforehand. Will anyone be able to catch the South African on Saturday? It certainly seems a tall order…

Behind Fernandez and rookie Di Giannantonio, fourth went the way of Sam Lowes (Federal Oil Gresini Moto2), with the Brit putting in a late lunge to displace Stefano Manzi (MV Agusta Temporary Forward). Manzi had an incredible day on track, topping FP1 and completing the top five overall – with an improved lap.

Tetsuta Nagashima (ONEXOX TKKR SAG Team) was sixth after initially proving Binder’s closest challenger earlier in FP2, with Jorge Navarro (MB Conveyors Speed Up) in P7 on home turf. Mattia Pasini (Tasca Racing Scuderia Moto2) put in a solid day for eighth overall, with Tom Lüthi (Dynavolt Intact GP) facing an uphill struggle in ninth: he’ll need to beat Binder on Sunday if he’s to finish the season second overall…

Nicolo Bulega (Sky Racing Team VR46) was tenth and the second fastest rookie, although he’s out of the fight for Rookie of the Year – ensuring ‘Diggia’ an advantage in that battle so far as the next man in the running is Jorge Martin (Red Bull KTM Ajo) in P15. Marcel Schrötter (Dynavolt Intact GP) took P11 ahead of Luca Marini (Sky Racing Team VR46).

So where’s the reigning Champion? Alex Marquez (EG 0,0 Marc VDS) ended Friday in 13th, but the gaps behind Binder were infinitesimal. He’s within four tenths of Fernandez but 11 places further back, although he is in line for a provisional place in Q2, as is Lorenzo Baldassarri (Flexbox HP 40) in P14.

FP3 begins at 10:55 (GMT +1) – will the timesheets shuffle again before qualifying? Find out then, before Q1 begins from 12:35.

Friday’s fastest:

1 – Brad Binder (RSA – KTM) 1’34.6222 – Augusto Fernandez (SPA – Kalex) +0.576

3 – Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA – Speed Up) +0.671

4 – Sam Lowes (GBR – Kalex) +0.706

5 – Stefano Manzi (ITA – MV Agusta) +0.730

Masia and Garcia the men to beat on home turf

The two Valencian riders top the timesheets from Ramirez, with fourth an incredible debut for Artigas

Jaume Masia (Mugen Race) was fastest on Day 1 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana, the KTM man heading rookie and fellow Valencian Sergio Garcia (Estrella Galicia 0,0) by just 0.069 on Friday. Marcos Ramirez (Leopard Racing) rounded out the top three, only another 0.086 in arrears.A chilly day was at least a sunny day at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, with the gaps in Moto3™ predictably and tantalisingly close. That continued outside the top three with the man in fourth only 0.089 in arrears, and that man was impressive wildcard Xavier Artigas (Leopard Impala Junior Team). From European Talent Cup winner in 2018 to third overall – as a rookie – in the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship this season, the Spaniard is on a serious roll.

The same can be said of three-in-a-row winner Lorenzo Dalla Porta (Leopard Racing) too. Aiming to become the first to take four Moto3™ victories in a row on Sunday, he began his final race weekend in the lightweight class in fifth and only 0.019 off Artigas. Romano Fenati (VNE Snipers) was only another 0.020 off in sixth. Andrea Migno (Mugen Race) and Niccolo Antonelli (SIC58 Squadra Corse), the latter improving from P24 in FP1, were seventh and eighth respectively.

Thanks to a late lap and despite a crash at Turn 6 – his second of the day – John McPhee (Petronas Sprinta Racing) ends Friday in ninth, with Tony Arbolino (VNE Snipers) rounding out the top 10 as he aims to take second overall from home hero Aron Canet (Sterilgarda Max Racing Team). Canet was 12th, pipped to P11 by rookie Raul Fernandez (Valresa Angel Nieto Team).

Albert Arenas (Valresa Angel Nieto Team), who crashed on Friday, lost out on P12 to the tune of just two thousandths, with Celestino Vietti (Sky Racing Team VR46) currently the last of the provisional Q2 graduates in 14th despite two crashes for the Italian rookie.

Ayumu Sasaki (Petronas Sprinta Racing) was another who crashed in FP2, as well as Makar Yurchenko (BOE Skull Rider Mugen Race).

There are just thousandths in it after Day 1 in Valencia – just as we’ve come to expect from Moto3™. Will the timesheets look the same after qualifying? Find out from 12:35 local time (GMT +1).