The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Lorenzo wins Catalunya and closes in on Pedrosa Posted: 16 Jun 2013 08:50 AM PDT Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo trimmed the gap to championship leader Dani Pedrosa at the top of the MotoGP standings to seven points when he stormed to victory at a sweltering Catalunya Grand Prix yesterday. The Spanish world champion beat compatriot and Honda pilot Pedrosa to the first corner and pulled away in the latter stages to win by just under two seconds, his second consecutive win at the Montmelo circuit near Barcelona. Rookie Marc Marquez completed an all-Spanish podium. He finished third despite pushing teammate Pedrosa hard on the final laps. A host of riders including Britain's Cal Crutchlow, Spaniard Alvaro Bautista and American Nicky Hayden crashed out leaving former world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy to coast home in fourth. "Right from the first corner we were having huge problems with the front tyre but I imagine all the riders were as the temperature was horrible," Lorenzo said in an interview with Spanish television broadcaster Telecinco. "It was extremely hot and the tyres lost a lot of performance but as I said the start was crucial and I got a better start than I expected and was able to get past Dani at the first corner. Towards the end I was able to push a bit harder and I was able to win such a tough and physically challenging race." It was a faultless performance from Lorenzo, who also beat local hero Pedrosa into second in Catalunya last year, and the 26-year-old Majorcan has 116 points after six of 18 races. Pedrosa leads on 123 points with Marquez third on 93 and Crutchlow fourth on 71. "At the beginning it was reasonably comfortable with a decent rhythm but then the tyres started to deteriorate and the three of us slowed down," Pedrosa told Telecinco. "I was never able to get to the straight right behind Jorge to attempt a pass," added the 27-year-old. "It was an easy day to fall and I wanted to push him (Lorenzo) but I knew that I couldn't make any mistakes." In the Moto2 category, Spaniard Pol Espargaro secured his second win of the year ahead of compatriot Esteve Rabat in second, Swiss Thomas Luethi in third and championship leader Scott Redding of Britain in fourth. Luis Salom moved to the top of the Moto3 standings with his third victory of the year with Alex Rins and Maverick Vinales in second and third respectively as Spaniards filled the top five places. The riders now head to Assen, Netherlands for the next round at the end of this month. - Reuters, June 17, 2013. |
| Mickelson set to have major say in US Open Posted: 16 Jun 2013 02:44 AM PDT Phil Mickelson moved a step closer to one of his biggest goals, a US Open title, as he emerged from a see-saw third round battle at Merion to take a one-shot lead into today's final round at Ardmore, Pennsylvania. Mickelson rolled in a nine-foot birdie putt at the 254-yard 17th hole to leapfrog playing partner Luke Donald, who slipped out of the lead with a bogey on the mammoth par-three. Four-times major winner Mickelson, looking for his first US Open title after finishing runner-up a record five times, bogeyed the daunting 18th hole but still came away with the lead after completing an even-par 70 for a one-under 209 total. "It is a hard challenge, but it is a lot of fun," said Mickelson. "Let's go. I can't wait to get back out playing." It could be a dream day for Mickelson, who would add a missing line to his impressive resume with an Open victory as he celebrates his 43rd birthday and Father's Day with his dad watching him play at Merion. "I've had opportunities in years past, and it has been so fun, even though it's been heartbreaking to come so close a number of times and let it slide," Mickelson said. One shot back after a rousing battle atop the leaderboard were 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel, who posted 69, and Americans Hunter Mahan (69) and Steve Stricker (70). Former world No 1 Donald, who double bogeyed the 18th after struggling with the deep rough to finish with a 71, was another shot adrift at one-over 211 along with fellow Englishman Justin Rose (71) and 36-hole co-leader Billy Horschel (72). "I should have done better," said Donald, who had taken sole possession of the lead after Schwartzel and Mahan both bogeyed the 17th. "It was disappointing. "But I'll take the positives out of today, a really solid 16 holes of golf that I played and I'm only two back." Mickelson, the leader after each round, fell from top spot after a bogey on the third hole, but came alive on the back nine with three birdies to fight his way back on a tumultuous day that saw a slew of competitors take turns in charge. The big left-hander said he felt better placed to tackle the challenge of winning the US Open this time around. "I feel better equipped than I have ever felt heading into the final round of a U.S. Open," said Mickelson, who has three Masters and a PGA Championship title to his credit. "My ball striking is better than it's ever been. My putting is better than it has been in years, and I feel very comfortable on this golf course. I love it. "Given that I've had some past major championships now and some success here... I think it's going to be fun. I don't think I feel any more pressure than anybody else who wants to win." Six different players - Mickelson, Horschel, Donald, Rose, Australian John Senden and Schwartzel - had turns in the lead over the first nine holes. World No 1 Tiger Woods, hoping to end a five-year drought in the majors dating back to the 2008 US Open, and world No 2 Rory McIlroy also moved within three shots of the pace with birdies on the first hole. However, the high-profile duo, playing their third successive round together, staggered through the rest of the way. Woods shot 76 to plunge 10 shots off the pace, and McIlroy registered 75 to be nine behind Mickelson. - Reuters/June 16, 2013 |
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