FRIDAY 16 MARCH 2018 SPORT 21

I’m relieved that I was able to win three matches already. FOOTBALL FOOTBALL Because in a big, tough draw, Roger Federer Lille vs Monaco World No.1 Levante you’re never quite sure what vs Eibar to expect.

Jones drops Federer breezes into quarters; Care and Ford in Halep and Osaka reach semis major AFP 6-4 and sixth seeded Juan Martin shake-up Del Potro rallied to beat fellow AFP INDIAN WELLS: World No. 1 Argentinian Leonardo Mayer 3-6, Roger Federer’s remarkable run 7-6 (7/2), 6-3. continued as he booked his Philipp Kohlschreiber of BAGSHOT: Eddie Jones tried quarter-final berth in the ATP Germany beat Pierre-Hugues to draw a line under his Indian Wells Masters with a 7-5, Herbert of France 6-4, 7-6 (7/1) disparaging comments about 6-4 win over Jeremy Chardy on and Canada’s Milos Raonic won Ireland and Wales as he Wednesday. in a walkover when Marcos announced a raft of changes The 36-year-old Federer, Baghdatis withdrew from their to England’s side for their Six who won his 20th Grand Slam night match with an illness. Nations finale. when he captured the Australian Meanwhile, World No. 1 The Australian dropped Open in January, is off to one of Simona Halep punched her ticket half-backs Danny Care and his strongest career starts and is to the Indian Wells semi-finals George Ford, two of 10 altera- now 15-0 in 2018. with a 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3 win over tions, three of them positional, It is his best beginning to the Croatia’s Petra Martic to his starting XV for Saturday’s season since 2006 when he yesterday. match at Twickenham against started 16-0 and won 33 of his The 26-year-old Halep newly-crowned champions first 34 matches. improved to 18-1 on the season Ireland, who are bidding for a “It has been great. But it is a Roger Federer returns a shot to Jeremy Chardy and is looking to win her second Grand Slam. totally different year, and so of France during the BNP Paribas Open at the WTA Tour title of 2018. Jones, yet to lose a Twick- many years after,” he said. Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Halep, of Romania, needed enham Test as England boss, “For so many years I have felt California on Wednesday. two hours and 23 minutes to put reiterated his apologies for good actually in Australia. Martic away under taxing condi- calling Ireland “scummy” and “I don’t know if it’s Australia tions as strong winds swirled Wales a “shit little place” after per se or, taking the benefits from Indian Wells, you’re never quite Cuevas 6-1, 6-3 earlier on the net. Chardy hit four aces but around the main stadium court. a video of a speech he gave the hard work I put into the new sure what to expect. Wednesday. made 46 unforced errors com- Halep moves on to the semi- to a team sponsor last year season.” Federer, who also won “So I’m just happy I’m on a Federer only needed to break pared to just 29 for Federer. finals where she will face Japan’s emerged on Wednesday. at Rotterdam in February, is good run.” The defending Indian Chardy once in each set to get the Federer will face the 21-year- Naomi Osaka who beat fifth- “I’d just like to say I’ve gunning for a record sixth Indian Wells champion Federer put on win in 82 minutes. old Chung for the second time seeded Karolina Pliskova 6-2, apologised for the remarks,” Wells title. a serving clinic against Chardy The first break of serve came this year. 6-3. Halep is guaranteed to hold Jones told reporters at Eng- “Yeah, and then also Rot- as he hit two aces and won 100 in the 11th game of the opening Chung made a Grand Slam onto her No. 1 ranking at the end land’s Bagshot training base, terdam was great. I was very percent of his first serve points. set to take a 6-5 lead. breakthrough when he reached of this event after world number southwest of London. happy that I was able to win the He dropped just three serve In the second set he broke the semi-finals of the Australian two Caroline Wozniacki was “I sincerely mean that and tournament there, not just get to points overall with those coming Chardy in the ninth game to lead Open in January but had to retire eliminated on Tuesday. I really don’t have anything the semis and get world No. 1. on his second serve. 5-4. Each time he got the break in his match with Federer Halep blasted two aces and else to say on the matter.” “And here now I’m relieved Federer advances to the he then served for the set. because of a foot blister. broke Martic’s serve four times. Saracens scrum-half Richard that I was able to win three quarter-finals where he will face Federer clinched the victory In other fourth round “I just fought and that’s Wigglesworth starts in place of matches already. Because in a South Korea’s Chung Hyeon who on the first match point when matches, American Sam Querrey maybe why I won because I Care and will resume his club big, tough draw like here at defeated 30th-seeded Pablo Chardy pounded a forehand into beat Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-3, refuse to lose,” Halep said. partnership with Owen Farrell, Alonso ready to fight on two fronts REUTERS LONDON: Fernando Alonso Rookie Leclerc faces the busiest year of any Formula One driver but the Spaniard has played down fears he could be spreading himself too steps up to the thin by competing in two world championships at once. The 36-year-old gets one campaign started next week big time in F1 when he lines up for McLaren at the Australian Grand Prix in Mel- bourne, the first of a record- REUTERS equalling 21 F1 races around the matter of months and Leclerc, world this season. one of two newcomers on the The double F1 world LONDON: Charles Leclerc starting grid this season with champion, who competed in the will have two men in mind, Russian Sergey Sirotkin also Indianapolis 500 last year, will their memories living on as a lining up for Williams, is also race for Toyota at the Le source of strength and raring to get going. Mans 24 Hours in June and in the support, when he makes his He will have to adapt to full World Endurance Formula One race debut for new realities. Swiss-based championship. Sauber in Australia next Sauber were last of the 10 Alonso’s road to Le Mans, as week. teams in 2017, scoring in only well as McLaren’s new start in The 20-year-old rising one of the 20 races, and it has Formula One with Renault star from Monaco lost his been five years since they last engines after three dismal years father Herve in June last year, had a driver on the podium. with Toyota’s Japanese rivals before the Ferrari protege Alfa Romeo branding has Honda, will be among the top wrapped up the Formula Two boosted morale but Leclerc Fernando Alonso of McLaren during Formula One Test Session at the Circuit de Barcelona Catalunya, storylines of the motorsport year. title as the youngest can still expect to spend much Montmelo, Spain in this March 9, 2018 file picture. “The only concern is trav- champion in that feeder of his time getting out of the elling,” he told reporters during series.Until then it was Jules way of faster cars. winter testing in Barcelona when 24 Hours in January to accli- down time anyway. He also over backwards to fit in, to the Bianchi, his godfather and The new Sauber C37 has asked about his ambitious pro- matise himself and is up for the pointed out that while the WEC extent of moving the Fuji Six family friend, whose memory also proved quite a handful gramme. “Travelling is going to challenge. ‘Super Season’ ran to eight Hours to avoid a clash with the he had carried with him in in testing in Barcelona, with be energy-consuming and I need “There are many things that events, only five were this year US Grand Prix in Austin. every race. Leclerc responsible for three to be very efficient on that. I am now in the point of my with the rest in 2019 and ending If there are any conflicts, The popular Frenchman red flags over the eight days “Every delay on the flight or career that I can deal with. at a second Le Mans. And one of McLaren come first. died in Nice hospital in 2015 including a crash into the wall every connection that you miss Probably a couple of years ago the five was during the August “He’s a McLaren driver on after suffering severe head on the final morning. is going to hurt this year. So maybe I didn’t have the break. loan for those weekends,” said injuries when his Marussia By his own admission, the hopefully everything runs knowledge of all of the areas,” “What a lot people don’t Brown, who was a key figure in car crashed into a recovery last two months have given smoothly.” The target is to he said. know is he’s karting every Alonso’s headline-grabbing Indi- tractor during the previous him plenty to think about. become only the second driver “So I thought now was the weekend,” added the anapolis bid. year’s Japanese Grand Prix. “There are so many new to achieve the so-called ‘Triple time to do it and I feel ready. I American. “His responsibilities there are “I was racing for Jules and things to me, so many param- Crown’ of motorsport, a feat think in terms of mental “If he wasn’t going to be in a pretty much driving, so he’s not now obviously...my father,” eters to the performance of completed by the late Briton approach it’s going to be not an prototype, he would have been going to have the same level of Leclerc told Reuters last year the car that are new for me,” Graham Hill in 1972. issue because every time you in a kart or something else. I’ve promotional work, sponsor com- before the Sauber drive was he told Reuters during pre- It involves winning the Indy jump in the car you want to be never seen someone who wants mitments that would normally sealed.“My father was my season testing. 500, Le Mans and Formula One competitive. to literally live in a race car like come along with that number one fan and every “Let’s hope we can catch championship, although it can “Physically, while driving it’s he does... I just think if he’s at a (involvement). time I won a race he was the up a little bit with the mid- also be the Monaco Grand Prix going to be OK.” grocery store it would be ‘let’s “And he’s well studied and happiest father of all. I just field during the season and which Alonso has won twice. McLaren executive director race the karts’.” focused on what preparation want to do well for them to then obviously I’ll have to The Spaniard, who led at Zak Brown said Alonso was the Alonso will not be doing any- takes. If he thinks he can do it, watch from up there and be improve as a driver, try to Indianapolis before his car broke kind of person who would be thing more than drive for Toyota we have no reason to believe that proud of me.” Fast forward a work on myself.” down, competed in the Daytona racing something during his and WEC organisers have bent he can’t.” 22 SPORT FRIDAY 16 MARCH 2018 SA’s Philander denies Batsmen struggle in pink-ball warm-up making Smith remarks game in Wellington REUTERS with a composed 131 not out REUTERS The tweet, which had a video as the ball softened. clip of the incident attached, said WELLINGTON: Early indi- Canterbury pace bowler CAPE TOWN: South African Smith was equally guilty and had cations suggest that both Kyle Jamieson, who averages seamer Vernon Philander has milked the incident. sides in New Zealand’s first 14 with a highest first-class said his Twitter account was “Haven’t really seen the ever home day-night Test score of 40, combined well hacked after an inflammatory footage of this incident but by the could find it difficult batting with Blundell and scored 101 message was posted suggesting looks of this... Steve Smith gave with the pink ball. not out before he retired. Australian captain Steve Smith KG (Rabada) the shoulder,” it The two-match series The New Zealand XI could have avoided an incident said. against England opens with declared on 376-9 after 90 that resulted in Kagiso Rabada “He could have avoided any a day-nighter in Auckland overs and turned the game being suspended. contact but to me he is just as from March 22 and in order over to England’s batsmen on Fast bowler Rabada made guilty. Trying some football skills to get accustomed to condi- the second day of a contest in contact with Smith’s shoulder to get a penalty??? Pity he didn’t tions, the tourists are playing match conditions that has no after dismissing him in the first dive to top it off.” a New Zealand XI in a official status. innings of their six-wicket Early yesterday, however, two-day game using a pink The visitors did not fare victory in the second Test in Port Philander distanced himself from ball at Seddon Park in much better against what was Elizabeth. the comment, saying someone Hamilton. essentially a domestic attack, He was later found guilty of else had posted to his 185,000 England’s Test attack had with Doug Bracewell the only “inappropriate and deliberate followers. the New Zealand side in player with test experience physical contact with a player” “Waking up this morning to trouble on Wednesday’s first as they took advantage of by the International Cricket a lot of twitter craziness as my day with Jimmy Anderson, overcast conditions to get the Council (ICC) and will miss the acc got hacked and someone Stuart Broad and Mark Wood ball to swing. rest of the four-match series. posted a nice little article on my reducing the home team to England’s Test top five of The 22-year-old, who took behalf,” he posted after deleting 30 for five by the 17th over. Alastair Cook, Mark 11 wickets in the match, has the original message. Test openers Jeet Raval Stoneman, James Vince, Joe appealed the decision. “Sorry for all the drama or and Tom Latham were dis- Root and Dawid Malan were entertainment caused by the missed for seven and 10 all dismissed by the 19th over, looks of it.” respectively, while middle- with Cook scoring 30 as they The episode is the latest twist order batsman Henry Nicholls slumped to 65-5. in a tempestuous test series that scored 14 and all-rounder Liam Livingstone, has seen five players punished Colin de Grandhomme was however, pressed his test cre- Philander has said by the ICC. out for four. dentials as he top-scored with South Africa bowler Kagiso Rabada celebrates taking the wicket of In the first test Tn Durban, All of the wickets fell 74 not out before England’s his Twitter account Australia batsman Mitchell Marsh during day four of their second was hacked after an security cameras captured a during the first session, when 10th wicket fell for 195 in 46.1 heated argument between Test match in Port Elizabeth on Monday. the pink ball has typically not overs. Like New Zealand on inflammatory message Warner and South Africa wick- moved in the air as much as the first day, they continued was posted suggesting etkeeper Quinton de Kock after was fined 25 percent. Both were demerit point for a send-off of it does under lights. to bat on. Australian captain the teams left the field for tea on given demerit points. Warner in the second innings. Wicketkeeper Tom A separate two-day Steve Smith could have the fourth day. Rabada was handed three Australians Nathan Lyon and Blundell, however, shook off match, involving the tradi- Warner said the wicket- demerit points for the shoulder Mitchell Marsh are the other the disappointment of being tional red ball, will be played avoided an incident keeper had made “vile and dis- bump in Port Elizabeth, taking players to receive fines and dropped for the fit-again BJ at the same venue starting on that resulted in gusting” comments about his him to eight within a two-year demerit points in the series. Watling to follow up his Friday. None of New Zea- Kagiso Rabada being wife. period, which triggered an auto- The third match in the series, century on test debut against land’s Test squad have been suspended. Warner was fined 75 percent matic two-match suspension. which is level at 1-1, starts in West Indies last December named for that game. of his match fee, while de Kock He was also given another Cape Town on March 22. England to tour SL for India’s Ashwin seeks sharp turn in first time in six years

AFP the picturesque Galle Interna- perception for white-ball success tional Stadium while the other COLOMBO: England will tour two Tests are slated for REUTERS Sri Lanka for the first time in Pallekele stadium in Kandy and over six years to play three in the capital Colombo. Tests, five one-day interna- The Third Test is scheduled NEW DELHI: India’s Ravi- tionals and a one-off Twenty20 to be played from November 23 chandran Ashwin believes match, organisers said. to 27 when the tournament finger-spinners are battling a The tour will begin on ends. England’s previous tour perception of ineffectiveness in October 10 with a day-night of Sri Lanka was in 2012 for a limited-overs cricket but remains ODI at Dambulla, Sri Lanka two-match Test series they confident that he and his ilk can Cricket said in a statement. drew 1-1. flourish with the white ball. There will be three day-night Sri Lanka toured England in Once considered a luxury for ODI matches in all while the 2016 for a full tour of three a penchant to bleed runs in order T20 will also be a day-night Tests, five ODIs and a T20 game. to claim wickets, wrist-spinners game. The First Test will be at England won the series. have taken limited-overs cricket by storm, excelling in the dual enforcer-defender role and ban- ishing their finger-spin cousins to the fringes. Their stock has risen so high that a wrist-spinning trio -- Afghanistan’s Rashid Khan, New Zealand’s Ish Sodhi and West India’s Ravichandran Ashwin in action Indian Samuel Badree -- occupy the top three places in the current against Sri Lanka in this Ausgust 14, Twenty20 bowlers rankings. 2017 file photo. Ashwin has been one of those at the receiving end of the wrist- encouragement, said the Chennai the game’s demands are such did not need any particular tour- spin revolution, which is also off-spinner, who is currently the and such, you don’t have a nament or series to spur him on. reflected in the one-day inter- fourth-ranked test bowler. choice, you’ll have to try and “None of these things actually national rankings with three of “People have been allowing evolve with time.” motivate me more than myself,” them turning their way into the 64 runs for two wickets in 10 Spinners are normally wary said the bowler with 513 inter- world’s top six. overs of leg-spin too. If you give about trying anything too radical national wickets across all The 31-year-old and regular the same courage to the finger- after spending years perfecting formats. test partner Ravindra Jadeja are spinners, they’ll do the same their art but Ashwin said he had “It’s all about wanting to get currently surplus to India’s lim- thing. always been prepared to take better. I’ve mentioned all the ited-overs requirements with “It’s all about perception. I risks. time that it’s about wanting to leggie Yuzvendra Chahal and think handling bowlers is all “There was an element of bowl those four overs (in T20s) left-arm unorthodox spinner about how you handle them and risk once I chose to play cricket or 10 overs (in ODIs), whatever Kuldeep Yadav occupying the you how perceive them.” A cer- itself, because if I didn’t end up that be, and be almost position of the new spin ebral spinner whose bag of tricks going all the way, I wouldn’t have unplayable. That’s been top of my darlings. contains a lethal carrom ball, any choices right now. But I did mind all the time. “The future of finger- Ashwin sprang a surprise in the take up the game. “It’s not so much about who spinners lies in the perception of domestic Vijay Hazare Trophy “Whatever I have done in life I represent, what I represent,” people,” Ashwin said. last month when he bowled leg- has always had risk and I really said the lanky spinner, who will “More so because it’s based spin with an action similar to that liked taking it on,” he said. lead Kings XI Punjab in this year’s on perception about what people of his idol Anil Kumble. India’s premier bowler for a Indian Premier League (IPL). think of what’s relevant and Commentator and former large part of the 57 Tests he has “Yes, wearing the Indian what’s not. Things will turn India spinner Laxman Shivara- played since his 2011 debut jersey gives me utmost pride, around. mkrishnan questioned his wrist against West Indies, Ashwin has there’s no doubt about it, but “At one point of time, leg- position but Ashwin said he not featured in a one-day squad these are not moves that I aim to PSL: Akmal stars in win for Zalmi spinners didn’t have a place (in wanted to add another since his 111th appearance last or intend to try and do in order Peshawar Zalmi’s Kamran Akmal celebrates his half century limited-overs cricket), now they dimension to his armoury. June. to take a wake-up call. against Karachi Kings during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) do. Finger-spinners, maybe you “I’ve always been that kind Next year’s World Cup in “I don’t do PR activity either, match in Sharjah yesterday. Akmal blasted 75 from 51 balls to all think don’t have a role, will of a character. I’ve always tried England and Wales should it’s not me. It’s only me that help Zalmi beat Kings by 44 runs. come back too.” bowling different things, it’s not provide motivation for him to try wants to get better every single For that to happen, all they something new,” he said. and claw his way back into the day, that’s the hunger that’s left,” needed was similar “The game is the boss and if ODI squad but Ashwin said he he said. FRIDAY 16 MARCH 2018 SPORT 23

Exciting battles are on the cards in tomorrow’s races at Corniche. No early lifting of Russia ban: Parsons

AFP

PYEONGCHANG: The Olympic movement may have lifted its ban on drug-tainted Russia, but there is no prospect of the Paralympics following suit until strict criteria are met, the body’s president said yesterday. Andrew Parsons, Pres- ident of the International Par- Doha ready to stage first-ever alympic Committee, said Russia, which was allowed to send 30 athletes to compete as neutrals at the Marathon Swim World Series Pyeongchang Winter Games, “had progressed a lot”. But he said the IPC wouldn’t budge on its stance FAWAD HUSSAIN with the Russian Paralympic THE PENINSULA Committee, which was banned in 2016 following rev- DOHA: Olympic and world elations of a mass, allegedly champions from around the state-sponsored, doping globe will be seen in action programme. battling for glory as Qatar is “The situation is very ready to stage first-ever FINA/ clear, because we have Hosa Marathon Swim World agreed reinstatement criteria Series at turquoise waters of with the Russian Paralympic Doha’s iconic Corniche Committee,” Parsons said in tomorrow. Pyeongchang. Doha, already a popular “We cannot right after venue for FINA airweave World these Games, for example, lift Cup Series, will open FINA/ the suspension -- they have HOSA Marathon Swim World to meet these criteria,” he Series 2018, which features added. nine legs taking place in some The International of the world’s most scenic Olympic Committee banned waterways, including the Sey- Russia in December -- more chelles, Portugal, Canada, than a year after the Paral- Chinese Tapei, Hungary and ympic body -- after its inves- China. tigations established “sys- “We are very happy to be temic” doping by Russia. hosting this major event and we Out of the four athletes to welcome all the swimmers,” fail drug tests at last month’s President of the Qatar Winter Olympics, two of them Swimming Association (QSA) FROM LEFT: Ana Marcela of Brazil, Dutchman Ferry Weertman, President of the Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) Khaleel Al were from Russia’s con- and FINA Bureau Member, Jabir, FINA representative Samuel Greetman and Secretary General of QSA Talal Mubarak during a press conference yesterday. tingent of athletes declared Khaleel Al Jabir told a press PICTURE: KAMMUTTY VP/THE PENINSULA clean of doping and allowed conference at Corniche to compete as neutrals. yesterday. success. “This is our first time in starting as the strong favourite 2017 World silver medallist 11 years old and will enable But Russia’s ban was “It’s another FINA event Doha and we hope it will be a but he is expected to face stiff Samantha Arevalo of Ecuador people of all abilities to swim lifted three days after the that we will be hosting till 2021 jewel in FINA’s crown. We look competition from Great Brit- besides many other top the same course on Doha’s pic- closing ceremony when anti- as we have signed four-year forward to exciting races,” he ain’s Jack Burnell, who finished swimmers. turesque Corniche. doping experts said they had agreement with the FINA. Doha, said. just outside the medals in fourth “I am expecting a very The contest consists of established that no more which will also host 2023 FINA As many as 115 long-dis- place at last summer’s World tough race and I will give my three categories available for Russian athletes had tested World Aquatics Championships, tance swimmers (43 women Championships. best to win. I am happy to be the public: 400m for boys and positive in Pyeongchang. is a favourite venue for world’s and 72 men) will take part in “I am very excited to be competing here in Doha as the girls aged 11-14, 800m for The IPC has demanded best swimmers and we hope the tomorrow’s races with scintil- racing in Doha for the first conditions look very good,” said boys and girls aged 15-17, and that Russia “adequately athletes coming here will thor- lating battles on the cards in time,” said Weertman. Marcela. 1,200m for boys and girls aged address” the findings of the oughly enjoy their experience,” presence of top challengers in “It will be a tough compe- The event’s prize money is 18 and over. World Anti-Doping Agency’s he added. 10km battle. tition as world’s best athletes $30,000 while the overall prize The exclusive experience McLaren report, which Honorary Secretary of the The men’s competition will are competing. I like the con- money is $250,000. Both prizes will also see public participants unearthed evidence of a state- FINA Technical Open Water see Rio 2016 Olympic and 2017 ditions here in Doha as it is not are divided across the first 8th enjoy the same facilities and full backed doping conspiracy. Committee Samuel Greethan World champion Ferry very hot and I am looking women and men swimmers, services as the elite athletes, Russia’s anti-doping body must hoped the event will be a huge Weertman of the Netherlands forward to win the race,” he making a total prize money including the athlete pre-race also be fully reinstated by the said. pursue of USD 550,000. call-room, the same starting WADA before it can return to The women’s elite compe- Meanwhile, residents of platform, live athlete tracking the Paralympics. tition will also see an exciting Qatar will get a unique expe- and entering the post-race However, no athletes showdown between open water rience today as tomorrow’s mixed zone, enabling everyone have so far testing positive at marathon specialist Ana races are integrated with the to be a world-class athlete for the Pyeongchang Paral- We are very happy to be hosting this major Marcela of Brazil, Rio 2016 Open Water Challenge, giving the day. ympics and Parsons said he event and we welcome all the swimmers. Olympic champion, Sharon Van fans a chance to taste expe- To top off the experience, had no concerns over the It’s another competition that we will be Rouwendaal of the Nether- rience just like the top the elite champions will be on Russians competing in South lands, 2017 World Series swimmers of the world. hand during the event to cheer Korea. hosting till 2021 as we have signed four-year winner, Arianna Bridi and Rio The Open Water Challenge on the participants and provide “We can, with a certain agreement with FINA: Khaleel Al Jabir 2016 Olympic silver medallist, Race will start at 13:30 and is tips, advice and insights into degree of confidence... say Rachele Bruni, both of Italy and open to anyone over the age of what it takes to be a champion. that these 30 athletes com- peting here are clean,” the Brazilian said.

Gearing up for Grand Prix of Qatar MotoGP riders pose for a group photo at the Losail International Circuit yesterday, ahead of the Grand Prix of Qatar. RIGHT: Movistar Yamaha’s Italian driver Valentino Rossi, (left) speaks with Spanish rider Maverick Vinales. PICTURES: KAMMUTTY VP/THE PENINSULA SPORT Friday 16 March 2018 PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Federer breezes into South Africa’s Doha ready to hostt quarters; Halep and Philander denies Marathon Swim Osaka in semis making Smith remarks World Series

World champion Marquez feels ready to defend MotoGP title RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

DOHA: Spanish MotoGP star Marc Marquez will be aiming for the first podium of the new season on Sunday when the 2018 MotoGP World Championship battle commences under lights at the Losail International Circuit. The 25-year-old Honda Respol rider last year topped the final standings, wining six Grand Prix ahead of Andrea Dovizioso “I finished sixth last of Ducati who finished in second year, so the first wish for spot. Maverick Vinales of Yahama me is to finish top five in was third followed by Dani Pedrosa in fourth and ageless From Left: Suzuki Ecstar’s Italian driver Andrea Iannone, Movistar Yamaha’s Italian driver Valentino the championship...but warrior Valentino Rossi in fifth Rossi, Ducati’s Italian driver Andrea Dovizioso, Repsol Honda’s Spanish driver Marc Marquez, Movistar why not top three?” place. Yamaha’s Spanish driver Maverick Vinales and Monster Yamaha’s French driver Johann Zarco attend a Johann Zarco “Impossible to say (who will press conference at the Losail International Circuit ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix yesterday. win) as all the guys are tough but I believe in myself,” Marquez said “I think this season is as the lights were switched on for “I feel important and that’s “We tried to improve and we raced for factory team, you had work to do but I decided after the the most balanced of the first time in the new season. good. I am very thankful to them feel we can better during the to be realistic as we had bad test,” the 39-year-old said. “After a long winter, it looks because we will be more careful season. We will start in a better points and we couldn’t fight the Rossi said he doesn’t want to Moto GP seasons ever.” like everybody is ready to start. about this season. We just want way than last year. I’m happy 18 rounds. But this year we feel end his career just because other Valentino Rossi All of us more of less start in the to be quiet and concentrate on with both the technical aspect of we have the best situation from riders had done so. best way possible. My future has the track,” he said. the new bike and with the ‘pro- my side and from the team’s “I saw lot of great riders in my been decided and it was not easy. “This pre-season we concen- fessional’ aspect. We know some side,” Dovizioso said. “It doesn’t time. I saw them stop at the “We are very close, I was really happy with them and trated a lot on the engine side tracks will be difficult for us. Then mean we can fight for the cham- maximum of their careers. Like We are minimum five, six I saw the bike was working really because everything is ready for there are some tracks we can pionship but the approach is like (F1 star Michael) Schumacher and well,” Marzquez said. the season. attack. We are looking forward that,” the Italian added. (Max) Biaggi or Troy Bayliss. But riders able to win the to the new season,” he added. MotoGP veteran Rossi, a four- I think not everybody was very championship. So, any- Dovizioso, 31, said he time winner in Qatar, said he is happy (to quit). Schucmaher and thing can happen.” couldn’t wait for the start of the geared up for ‘fresh challenges’. Biaggi came back on the track so Andrea Dovizioso new season. “Yes, the journey continues. I have decided to keep racing “Yes, for sure the last season I am happy because two years (laughs). It can be a risk (the new was great. It was a really nice ago when I signed the last con- contract) but if I follow this “I feel great. This year winter. I am really happy about tract I thought that ‘this is the last (logic), I would have stopped last season. The positive things one’. But my mind is always on already six, seven or eight years I feel really good and I am we expect to be there at the top,” racing. I want to compete,” Rossi, ago,” the winner of 89 MotoGP confident we can do the Ducati Team hero said. who will ride for Yamaha, said. wins, said. things.” “I worked hard during the “The challenge is very high to When asked if he had thought winter testing and Ducati stay at the top is more difficult. of extending his Yamaha contract Maverick Vinales worked really well. We have a But I have the motivation,” Rossi by a year, Rossi said with a smile: lot of data. I think we will try said. “Yes, we speak also about one by “I think that I’m maybe one everything in the right way. We “At the end of the last season, one with Yamaha. But you always of the first that tries (to race into will try to show our speed. But I spoke with Yamaha and I said I think about two (years), also for his 40s),” said Rossi. “I think also we will have to wait. The next will decide to do the winter test. the balance with the contract of all the other riders that are here few rounds will be very If I survive the winter test the other riders. If you sign you are able to keep the top level until important,” he warned. (laughs), then the test was quite need to be able to do two years, 40. Physically, if you are strong, Repsol Honda’s Spanish driver Marc Marquez attends a press The 2004 125cc World good. Everybody was very close. and stay in line with all the other you can. It depends on your moti- conference at the Losail International Circuit ahead of the Qatar Champion said he feels strong Some days we were softer but at top riders.” The veteran rider said vation, on your life. If you like to Grand Prix yesterday. going into the 2018 season. the end of the day I feel very he remains motivated to give his continue, I think everyone can do. “Yes, in the past when you comfortable. I know there was best. I still have the passion.” Rossi signs two-year contract with Yamaha THE PENINSULA debut with the team in South the crown since. This new, contract with Yamaha, in mechanics, and working with Africa, before going on to two-year deal demonstrates March 2016, I wondered if all Japanese engineers, Tsuji- DOHA: Valentino Rossi has take the title the same year. both Yamaha’s commitment that would have been the san, and above all Tsuya-san, signed a new two-year deal He went on to win the Cham- to the nine-time World last contract as a MotoGP is a pleasure - I’m happy,” he to continue in MotoGP with pionship again in 2005, Champion and vice-versa, as rider. At that time, I decided added. the Movistar Yamaha MotoGP before then losing out in they seek to be fighting con- that I’d take that decision “I want to thank Yamaha team. 2006 and 2007 - but the sistently at the front once during the following two - Lin Jarvis and Maio Mere- The announcement will ‘Doctor’ was soon back on again. After some ups and years. During the last two galli in particular - for their see the 39-year-old compete top. downs in 2017, as well as an years I came to the con- trust in me, because the chal- in a record 25 seasons of In 2008, the rider from injury mid-season, the target clusion that I want to con- lenge is difficult: being com- Grand Prix racing and con- Tavullia claimed the title in is set high again in 2018 - tinue because racing, being petitive until I’m 40 years old! tinue his association with the supreme fashion – a feat he could a tenth be on the way? a MotoGP rider, but espe- I know it’s going to be dif- Japanese manufacturer in the repeated the year after in With ‘The Doctor’ con- cially riding my M1, is the ficult and it requires a lot of premier class for an 2009 to make it another firmed to line up on the grid thing that makes me feel effort from my side and a lot astounding 15 years. back-to-back run. That in 2019 and 2020, that’s good,” Rossi said. of training but I’m ready, I am Rossi’s first season with marks Rossi’s most recent another two seasons for Rossi “Having the opportunity not lacking in motivation, Yamaha was 2004, where he title to date, although the to push. to work with my team, with that’s why I’m signing for two spectacularly won on his number 46 has challenged for “When I signed my last Silvano, Matteo and all my more years,” Rossi added.