SPORT Saturday 28 July 2018 PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 England’s Rashid Ferrari’s Vettel hits back at dominates Vaughan’s comments Hungarian practice

IAAF announces four-year partnership with QNB THE PENINSULA events including the much antic- The four-year deal will see the leading financial institution enhancing our sport at a local, elite and grassroots level”. ipated IAAF World Athletics in the Middle East and Africa involved in all IAAF World regional and global level.” Through this partnership, the DOHA: Qatar National Bank Championships 2019 in Doha Athletic Series events including the IAAF World Athletics For its part, QNB has Bank aims to support the IAAF to (QNB) and the IAAF have inked a next year, as well as the annual Championships 2019 in Doha next year. expressed pride to establish a deliver an innovative, creative new multiple-year partnership, Doha Diamond League meeting. relationship with the IAAF and to and exciting event that engages the world athletics governing The agreement will also see support athletics. “As a sport it new fans, new athletes and new body announced on their official QNB roll out a country-wide change in the country and announcement is so exciting. transcends boundaries and audiences and unlocks this web portal, yesterday. school engagement programme, overseas. With the addition of QNB to the borders, it pushes human region’s potential to host global QNB, the largest financial focused on inspiring the next gen- Speaking on the launch of the athletics family we now have a endeavour and inspires the next mega events. institution in the Middle East and eration of Qataris to take up ath- new partnership, IAAF president partner that shares our vision for generation to realise their ambi- Qatar has been hosting inter- Africa became the latest addition letics and lead active healthy life- Sebastian Coe said: “As the the sport and has the reach to tions through hard work. Next national athletics events for more to the governing body’s roster of styles. For QNB the important number one global sport, bringing help inspire more people by year’s championships will be a than 21 years, starting from the first- official partners, it said. partnership will allow a strategic the emotion and excitement of sharing the stories of our talented game-changing moment for the ever IAAF Grand Prix in 1997 (which As an official IAAF partner, expansion of a company initiative athletics to new communities has athletes. The partnership will sport in Qatar and will help later became the Doha Diamond QNB will be present and involved to use sport and physical exercise always been the guiding principle help us explore creative ways to embed a healthy active culture League in 2010) and the IAAF World in all IAAF World Athletics Series as a vehicle for positive social of the IAAF and that’s why this make this ambition a reality, within the country, both at an Indoor Championships 2010. Al Attiyah rallies to seal second spot in Moscow

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MOSCOW: Overdrive Racing’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah claimed the third quickest time on the final stage of the Silk Way Rally between Lipetsk and Moscow yesterday and were placed second overall in the general classification. The Qatari and French navigator Matthieu Baumel set a time of 58min 02sec on the weather-shortened special and, in so doing, headed for the finish in Red Square 1hr Overdrive Racing’s Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (right) and 08min 12sec behind race winner Yazeed Al Rajhi. French co-drive Mathieu Baumel celebrate with their trophies after Frenchman Matthieu Serradori confirmed third place finishing second in the Silk Way Rally 2018, at the Red Square in Moscow, and former rally leader Harry Hunt confirmed the stage win Russia yesterday. from Spaniard Joan Roma. Russia’s Sergei Kariakin finished 2018 SILK WAY RALLY fourth. YESTERDAY’S RESULTS “It’s great to reach the finish after our week was beset 1. Harry Hunt (GBR)/Sebastien Delaunay (FRA) with several delays and little problems,” said Al Attiyah. Peugeot 3008 DKR 49min 54sec “This was not the result we wanted but we lost a lot of 2. Joan Roma (ESP)/Alex Haro (ESP) MINI John time earlier in the race with the differential problem and the Cooper Works Rally 52min 18sec drive shaft and we came back strongly at the finish to take 3. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel second place.” Al Attiyah’s Silk Way Rally challenge ran with (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 58min 02sec support from Red Bull, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Fed- 4. Matthieu Serradori (FRA)/Fabian Lurquin eration (QMMF), Ooredoo Qatar and Toyota GAZOO Racing. (BEL) MCM Original 1hr 00min 32sec Al Attiyah followed Al Rajhi into the last of the special 5. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/T Gottschalk (DEU) stages between Lipetsk and Moscow. But weather condi- MINI John Cooper Works Rally 1hr 01min 34sec tions in recent days had made one particular water crossing impossible. Race officials decided to start the last 191km OVERALL STANDINGS section from PC1, after 112km. 1. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) Andrey Rudskoy stopped with technical issues after just - 23hrs 49min 14sec five kilometres and that put his hold on fifth position in 2. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu jeopardy. Italy’s Marco Piana, who had towed Serradori for Baumel (FRA) - 24hrs 57min 26sec 180km on Thursday, stopped to assist the Russian on the 3. Matthieu Serradori (FRA)/Fabian Lurquin 79km finale but he lost over an hour in any case. (BEL) - 28hrs 56min 21sec Al Attiyah led from Serradori and Al Rajhi after 37km, 4. Sergei Kariakin (RUS)/Anton Vlasiuk (RUS) but Al Rajhi stayed clear of trouble to reach the finish and - 31hrs 22min 27sec confirm outright victory with the stage win falling to Hunt Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah and navigator Matthieu Baumel driving their Toyota Hilux during the final stage 5. Mariia Oparina (RUS)/Taisiia Shtaneva (RUS) from Roma and Al Attiyah. of the Silk Way Rally in Russia yesterday. - 32hrs 32min 57sec

Five-star Bounedjah helps Al Sadd win big in Austria

CHINTHANA WASALA Out of the three friendlies, THE PENINSULA the men in black and white suf- fered one loss when they lost to DOHA: Al Sadd’s goal machine German club MSV Duisburg 4-1 Baghdad Bounedjah scored five where Hamroun scored the only goals as the Qatari football giants goal for the Qatari team. thrashed Slovenian club NK Krka Bounedjah’s brilliant form is 8-1 in Austria yesterday. good news for coach Ferreira’s Ahmed Sayyar, Akram Afif side who begins the 2018-19 and Jugurtha Hamroun rounded Qatar Stars League campaign up Al Sadd’s impressive score in against Al Kharaitiyat at the the third and final friendly of Khalifa International Stadium on their pre-season camp in Europe. August 5. Earlier this week, the Wolves, Al Sadd, led by Barca legend coached by Portuguese tactician Xavi, are also vying for a spot in Jesualdo Ferreira, convincingly the AFC Champions League outplayed Slovenian second tier semi-finals when they take on club NK Radomlje 4-1 in their Iran’s Esteghlal FC in the second friendly encounter in knockouts on August 27. Austria. Bounedjah also shares the top Pedro Miguel, Hamza Al goal scorers spot in this season’s Al Sadd’s Baghdad Bounedjah (centre) is congratulated by team-mates Akram Afif (left) and Sanhaji, Ahmed Sayyar and Xavi AFC Champions League (9) along skipper Xavi Hernandez during their third and final friendly match of the pre-season camp Hernandez were on target with Al Duhail’s Moroccan star in Austria against Slovenian side NK Krka yesterday. against the Austrians. Youssef El Arabi. SATURDAY 28 JULY 2018 SPORT 17 Big names are ‘easiest’ to train, says Tuchel REUTERS “In the end, all of these guys were somewhere as a five or six-year-old SINGAPORE: New Paris St Germain standing with a ball under his arm, manager Thomas Tuchel is relishing the playing on the beach, the houses, the prospect of working with the big players streets...,” he added. at the club, such as Neymar, Gianluigi “It’s in them all and we want to find Buffon and Kylian Mbappe, with the this and bring it out and enjoy it, and the German saying they are the “easiest” to hard work, being aware of the signs they train. give inside and outside the club. The former Borussia Dortmund coach “This was one of the reasons why I replaced Spaniard Unai Emery, who has took this opportunity. To train with all since joined Arsenal, in the French capital these personalities and this talent.” in May but is undaunted by the prospect Tuchel had been linked in the British of dealing with a dressing room full of media with the Arsenal job but the big egos after a year out of the game. German said it was never something he “In my experience the biggest players had considered and he was fully com- are the easiest players to deal with as they mitted to the project of leading the want to compete and they want to win,” French treble winners to further success. the 44-year-old told reporters in Sin- “I made my decision to join Paris St gapore yesterday, a day ahead of a pre- German before Arsene Wenger made his season friendly against Arsenal. decision to leave Arsenal,” he added of “I am not here to teach them football the Frenchman, who ended his 22-year and how to play, I am here to help them tenure in North London in May. Paris Saint Germain’s head coach Thomas and organise a structure to show off their “He has my biggest respect as he built Tuchel attends a press conference ahead talent and keep them on track and a club famously known for its style of hungry. I also need to show them the of their International Champions Cup football. He is an idol and role model for value of their behaviour and how it fits match in Singapore, yesterday. many coaches, especially for me. I never in to the work of the whole group. got in touch with Arsenal, so I don’t know “We have lots of big players and some Tuchel, whose side also face Atletico if I was ever meant to be his that are still big but not as visible as some Madrid at the Singapore National Stadium successor... of the others, but equally as responsible on Monday, highlighted that every player, “He was more than just a coach, he for being role models for the group. We no matter how famous, would have was Arsenal. He’s a gentleman and one PSG’s Gianluigi Buffon (right) warms up with fellow goalkeepers during an have lots of big personalities but I am not grown to love the sport from a similar, of the biggest coaches in the world. I have official training session for the International Champions Cup in Singapore, worried about this.” humble background. the feeling he’s not finished yet.” yesterday. Emery looks towards next season REUTERS shootout loss to Atletico Madrid them to play, where they need on Thursday following a 1-1 to be positioned. Yesterday, we SINGAPORE: New Arsenal draw but the Spaniard remains carried out the plans we had coach Unai Emery is looking delighted with the progress his worked on and I expect to do the forward to a reunion with former squad are making ahead of the same tomorrow.” club Paris St Germain in a new season. Attacking midfielder Singapore friendly today but the “I put big demands on every Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who Spaniard is focused more on player at the club and I trust joined Arsenal from Man- intensifying pre-season condi- them to be able to live up to chester United in January, tioning ahead of the Premier them,” he added. said it was too early to League campaign. “At the moment, I am very compare Wenger and Emery The 46-year-old opted to happy with the work the players but was full of praise for both leave the French capital at the are putting in. We will soon be men. Cherchesov end of last season after leading joined by those who were “It’s difficult to compare the the Qatar-backed club to a involved at the World Cup and two coaches. They are both great gets two more domestic treble and replaced as long as the transfer window but I have only just started Arsene Wenger at Arsenal after remains open, there’s still a working with Unai Emery and years as the Frenchman ended his almost chance we could add to the will need at least six months to Russia coach 22-year tenure in North London squad.” one year to really be able to in May. Emery is also working on compare them,” the Armenian “I remain grateful to PSG. I instilling his style on an Arsenal said. AFP had a good experience there squad that had spent so long “I didn’t really work that and it was wonderful for my working under Wenger and will long with Arsene Wenger and Arsenal’s manager Unai Emery attends a press conference ahead MOSCOW: Russian national career and now I will play need to get used to a new Unai Emery has just arrived, of their International Champions Cup football match in Singapore team football coach Stanislav against them tomorrow, against approach. but I can say one thing -- it’s a Cherchesov (pictured) a big club with great players,” yesterday. “I am now looking to work pleasure to work with both of yesterday saw his contract Emery told reporters at the Sin- more on the tactical side of the them.” Arsenal open the new extended by at least another gapore National Stadium in our preparations for next with there.” Emery’s side game with my squad,” Emery season with a home match two years after the side’s yesterday. season but also a chance for me opened the International said. against champions Manchester better-than-expected “Not only is it another step to meet many friends I worked Champions Cup with a penalty “To teach them how I want City on August 12. performance at the World Cup. “The Russian Football Federation announces it has signed a new contract with the head coach of the Russian team, Stanislav Cherchesov,” Burnley battle back on their return it said in a statement. REUTERS The contract is for two E ‘European Tour’ T-shirts were on years with the possibility of a show outside Pittodrie, a reminder of further two-year extension, ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND: Grit and organisation have the celebratory chants at the end of last the federation added. taken Burnley back into European football after 51 years term, but for Dyche the extra compe- It thanked the former and it was certainly those qualities that earned a 1-1 draw tition is a test of his resources. footballer for his “successful at Aberdeen in their Europa League second qualifying Burnley have yet to sign anyone work in preparation for the round, first-leg match on Thursday. during this close season and with several 2018 World Cup” which took The scoreline, with the potentially crucial away goal, players still recovering from last sea- place in Russia this summer. gives Sean Dyche’s Premier League side the upper hand son’s injuries, Dyche’s options were Russia reached the for next Thursday’s return leg at Turf Moor, but for the limited. quarter-finals of the tour- travelling supporters the game was about much more But while Burnley may consider nament for the first time in its than the result. themselves minnows in the Premier post-Soviet history despite Over 2,000 Burnley fans made the 330-mile trip from League, their current resources are well being the lowest-ranked Lancashire to the East Coast of Scotland, packing the beyond the reach of Aberdeen. team, leading to euphoric away section in the stadium, with a large number of sup- As the Scottish club’s manager Derek scenes on the streets of porters left without tickets in the bars in the centre of McInnes pointed out - Burnley were Moscow and elsewhere. the city. lining up with a 15 million pounds “Stanislav Cherchesov Games between Scottish and English teams are often ($19.66 million) striker in Chris Wood, and his team have the com- billed as ‘Battle of Britain’ clashes with the Scots looking while Aberdeen’s front line was led by plete trust of the federation. for an upset. Sam Cosgrove, signed for 20,000 We anticipate bright victories However, given Burnley’s history in the decades since pounds from Carlisle United. Burnley’s Sam Vokes celebrates scoring their first goal with team-mates and significant achievements their last European game -- in the Fairs Cup in 1967 - it It was Cosgrove who won the during the first leg of the qualifying round of the Europa League in ahead for the Russian team,” was the Scottish club who could claim the greater penalty that was converted in the 19th said Aleksandr Alaev, the pedigree. Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen, Britain on Thursday. minute by Gary Mackay-Steven after acting head of the Russian That rich history was recognised before the game Burnley had suffered a dreadful start, Football Federation. when the crowd paid tribute to Aberdeen’s former mid- division two years later. losing England goalkeeper Nick Pope to injury. The coach said he was fielder Neale Cooper, who died in May at the age of 54. By 1987, Burnley need to win on the final day of the But it was a Welshman who proved the decisive figure “delighted to continue work Cooper was part of the team that won the European season to avoid dropping out of the professional ranks in the Anglo-Scottish clash, substitute Sam Vokes showing with the Russian team”. Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983 under the management of altogether and it was a slow and often painful process skill and composure, as well as his aerial strength, to Today President Vladimir Alex Ferguson. for the club to get back to the top flight in this decade. equalise 10 minutes from the end. Putin is set to host the While the port city celebrated the triumph of a for- The Clarets finished seventh in the Premier League Vokes became the first Burnley player to score in national team and its coaches midable team featuring the likes of Gordon Strachan and last season earning a return to UEFA competition and Europe since Brian Miller netted against Eintracht for an awards ceremony at Alex McLeish, Burnley were dealing with relegation to the excitement has certainly been more evident among Frankfurt in 1967 and his goal makes Dyche’s side the Kremlin. the third tier which was to be followed by the fourth the supporters. favourites to progress into the third qualifying round. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 28 JULY 2018 Steyn to retire Rashid hits back from ODIs at 2019 World Cup at Vaughan’s AFP JOHANNESBURG: South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is hoping to make comments a triumphant farewell to one-day international cricket at the 2019 World Cup by delivering the trophy AFP “I don’t think he has an agenda to the Proteas for the first time. against me. I played under and with Steyn, who will turn 36 three LONDON: England leg-spinner Adil him but sometimes ex-players come days before South Africa’s World Rashid has hit back at Michael out and start talking nonsense about Cup opening match against England Vaughan after the former captain current players. on May 30 next year, has spent described his selection for the first “There will be people out there most of the past three years strug- Test against India as “ridiculous”. who are not happy. There will be gling to overcome an assortment Rashid was included in a 13-man haters, like the pundits who are of injuries. squad even though he has opted out saying it is a disgrace. That But he believes his experience of playing first-class County Cham- is not my fault.” could be valuable in England. pionship cricket for Yorkshire this Vaughan could He is not part of South Africa’s season. not resist squad for a three-match one-day His selection for next week’s first another dig series in Sri Lanka but aims to force Test on the back of his one-day form at Rashid his way back into contention during has not gone down well with on Friday, his country’s home season, which Vaughan, an ex-teammate of tweeting: includes one-day series against Zim- Rashid’s for Yorkshire, who “I am babwe, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. described his selection as “stab in stupid for “I will be trying to get to that the back for county cricket”. wanting World Cup,” he said at a promotional Writing in the Telegraph news- someone to prepare to play event in Mumbai, on the way home paper, he added: “It basically says the No1 Test team in the world by from a disappointing Test series in our county game, the finishing playing a 4 day game with the red Sri Lanka. school for our cricketers, does not ball.” “But after the World Cup I don’t matter any more and that it is Yorkshire chief executive Mark see myself playing white-ball irrelevant.” Arthur said the county were “very cricket.” Rashid, who won the last of his surprised” by Rashid’s recall. Steyn, whose most recent injury English bowler Adil Rashid 10 Test caps in Chennai more than The player responded by casting happened in a Test against India in in action in this file photo. 18 months ago, said Vaughan was doubt on his future at Headingley. January, returned to the South African Rashid was included “talking nonsense” and said his “If they treat me like they have team for two Tests in Sri Lanka earlier in a 13-man squad for opinions “did not matter to done, don’t see any value in me and this month. anybody”. are disrespectful to me, I have to next week’s first Test But he was only able to take two “When I mentioned at the start think about the future in terms of against India even though wickets in two matches, leaving him of the year I will not be playing red- which county I play for,” said Rashid. he has opted out of tied with Shaun Pollock as South Afri- ball cricket, he tweeted something National selector Ed Smith has playing first-class County ca’’s all-time leading wicket-taker on then,” he said in an interview with made it clear that in order to be eli- Championship cricket for 421 scalps. the BBC. “He was being controversial gible for Test selection next year Yorkshire this season. Even if he retires from one-day and saying his stupid things then Rashid must return to the domestic cricket, Steyn said he wanted to carry too. four-day game. on playing in Tests for as long as possible. Langer given more Cricket team-mates, rivals congratulate Khan selection powers AFP KARACHI: Imran Khan’s former AFP teammates and rivals have congrat- ulated the World Cup winner after SYDNEY: Australia coach Justin Langer was handed his party won the most seats in Paki- more power yesterday in a shake-up of the national stan’s election. cricket selection process following the resignation The Election Commission said of Mark Waugh. Friday that Khan’s Pakistan A streamlined selection panel will now Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party enjoyed consist of just three people -- Langer, Trevor a strong lead over the outgoing Hohns and Greg Chappell -- with Waugh not Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz being replaced. (PML-N) but short of an overall Langer will chair the Twenty20 panel, with majority. support from the other two, while Hohns will head Khan will likely need to enter the Test and one-day process in consultation with into a coalition to form a Langer and Chappell. government. Previously, Waugh -- who leaves next month to “Congratulating the new Prime join pay-TV company Fox Sports -- focused only on Minister of our country,” tweeted Pakistani cricket star-turned- T20s. ex-bowler Wasim Akram, who was politician Imran Khan “This sees Justin take on additional responsi- part of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup bility as both the head coach and lead selector in winning side captained by Khan. Twenty20 cricket, as we build towards the ICC World Wasim had thrown his support in which he claimed victory in the Imran Khan, who as a super star had Congratulations & good luck to my T20 in Australia in 2020,” said Cricket Australia’s behind Khan, 65, in the run-up to election. the world at his feet and yet elbow cricketing hero, Imran Khan!” team performance chief Pat Howard. the election. “A special speech from a Great greased for 22 years to work for his tweeted former Indian batsman “Justin has performed a similar role previously “It was in your leadership skip Leader..Very simple, honest and objective and vision..he’s special and Sanjay Manjrekar, who scored a while coach of the Perth Scorchers, and has a wealth @ImrankhanPTI that we became practical..Feeling so proud to be a we are proud to have him as our double hundred against a Khan-led of knowledge around the Big Bash League and its world champions in 1992. It is in student of such a Mentor.. Congrat- Prime Minister,” Raja posted on Pakistan in 1989. players.” your leadership that we can again ulations Skipper,” he tweeted. Twitter. Ex-Indian all-rounder Kapil Cricket Australia’s selection panel has gone become a great democratic Another member of Pakistan’s Khan, who vowed to improve Dev, who was a contemporary of through various formats over the years. At one point, country,” he wrote on Twitter. triumphant World Cup squad Ramiz relations with arch-rival India in his Khan, tipped the former right-arm it included five people. Wasim’s new ball partner Raja also lavished praise on Khan, first comments following Wednes- fast bowler to “deliver” as Pakistani Langer was appointed in May after the 12-month Waqar Younis -- who also flour- considered one of Pakistan’s best day’s polls, also received praise from leader in a TV interview. suspensions of ex-captain Steve Smith and his deputy ished under Khan’s tutelage -- ever all-rounders. across the border. “It looks nice that a cricketer David Warner over a cheating scandal which also praised the leader-elect’s live “Who could be a bigger and “Imran is the epitome of setting and one who we know is going to saw previous coach Darren Lehmann quit. broadcast to the nation on Thursday better example of a leader than the bar high and reaching it. be the PM,” said Dev. Jarry upsets Thiem in Hamburg Murray, Azarenka handed THE PENINSULA World No. 69 Jarry recovered Cincinnati Open wild cards from a 3-5 deficit in the first set and HAMBURG: Chile’s Nicolas Jarry saved three set points from 3/6 REUTERS recorded the biggest win of his down in the second set tie-break following almost a year out Director Andre Silva told the Chile’s Nicolas Jarry career yesterday for a place in the for victory over No. 8-ranked with the injury that required organisers’ website in action during the semi-finals of the German Tennis Thiem, one of the best clay-court CINCINNATI: Former surgery in Australia in “I think many tennis Championships 2018 presented by performers on the ATP World Tour German ATP Tennis world number ones Andy January. fans are eager to see each Kamfmann. in recent years. Championships in Murray and Victoria Two-times grand slam of them back on the court, The 22-year-old Jarry knocked out Jarry awaits the winner of Hamburg. Azarenka have been handed winner Azarenka, who won and we are pleased to offer Dominic Thiem 7-6(5), 7-6(7) for his third-seeded Spaniard Pablo wild cards to compete at the the Cincinnati Open in 2013, them both wild cards to play first victory over a member of the Top Carreno Busta and Nikoloz Cincinnati Open next will return to the women’s the Western & Southern 10 in the ATP Rankings (1-1 lifetime). Basilashvili of Georgia. month, the tournament’s draw for the first time since Open.” organisers have said. 2016 as she continues her A further seven players Murray pulled out of this comeback following a pro- - three men and four year’s Wimbledon saying longed legal battle over the women - will be handed his right hip was still not custody of her son Leo last wild cards for the tour- ready for the demands of a year. nament, which begins on Grand Slam. That was after “The resumes for Vika Aug. 11, around two weeks the Scot made a comeback and Andy really speak for before the US open starts on in June at Queen’s Club themselves,” tournament Aug. 27. SATURDAY 28 JULY 2018 SPORT 19 Vettel dominates Hungarian practice AFP in one minute and 16.834 afternoon when many drivers seconds, enough to keep him complained of slower cars BUDAPEST:SEBASTIAN Vettel 0.074 seconds clear of his rivals blocking their runs. said he was relieved to be “back in a tight session that saw most Vettel was fastest early on at work” following a difficult few of the field struggling for grip. and was succeeded by Bottas, days after he posted the fastest Max Verstappen was second Hamilton, Bottas again and then time for Ferrari in second fastest ahead of his Red Bull Verstappen before he resumed practice for this weekend’s team-mate Daniel Ricciardo, on top of the times in the closing Hungarian Grand Prix. Kimi Raikkonen in the second period. The German bounced back Ferrari and Hamilton, who was Red Bull were expected to following an embarrassing fifth ahead of his Mercedes team- challenge at the right and twisty ‘home’ exit in last Sunday’s mate Valtteri Bottas. circuit that has been compared German race and the death on Romain Grosjean was to Monaco “without houses and Wednesday of Ferrari chairman seventh for Haas ahead of Carlos walls” but Verstappen said he Sergio Marchionne by outpacing Sainz of Renault and Pierre Gasly anticipated a “difficult” weekend. both Red Bulls. of Toro Rosso and Esteban Ocon “The car was good,” he said. “I think it is probably best to of Force India. Vettel added: “But we still lose quite a lot on get in the car because everybody “Qualifying is very important the straight unfortunately. It’s knows what to do,” he said. here for the start as overtaking difficult to say at the moment. I “Obviously, it was not easy, is very difficult. Whoever is think we can improve our car a but I think today the work has ahead after the first couple of little bit more, but if it’s going to been ok. Having a lot of work in corners, that will be crucial. be good enough for pole position front of you is probably the best “I was happy this afternoon, -- I’m not sure.” thing to get your head away and it was better than the morning He added that Mercedes focus on the job we have to do and we are ok for one lap. It has were more competitive than it here. been one of our better Fridays.” appeared because their drivers “It is probably quite good to Asked how he felt following -- Hamilton and Bottas -- had have a race straightaway and his crash last Sunday and the not been able to record true focus on the next thing to do.” death of Marchionne, he added: times. In a car that carried a black “Probably it’s good to have a race “They couldn’t get a lap on Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel speaks to journalists after the practice session of the Formula diagonal stripe in memory of straightaway and to get my head the ‘ultra’ and they both went a One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, yesterday. Marchionne, who died earlier straight and to focus on the next bit wide or whatever so I’m this week, the German delivered thing to do. It’s a way to cancel expecting them to be there. consistent speed in stifling heat treacherous conditions in which had to overcome some emotional race, added that he was happy it all out and forget it all “Ferrari looks quick. In the at the Hungaroring. title rival Lewis Hamilton and mental strain in recent days. with his day’s work. properly.” long run, Mercedes look compet- He crashed out of last week- excelled as he stormed to victory The German, who trails “It has been one of our better Ricciardo was fastest for Red itive as well so it will be very end’s German Grand Prix after from 14th on the grid. fellow-four-time champion Fridays,” he said. Bull in the morning session, but close and it all depends on leading until a rainstorm created Vettel acknowledged that he Hamilton by 17 points in the title Vettel clocked a fastest lap was frustrated by traffic in the qualifying.”

Argentine Thomas tightens grip on yellow, Heras found guilty of Roglic powers to 19th stage win match-fixing REUTERS AFP podium places in Paris on Sunday and were in no mood to PARIS: Argentine tennis LARUNS, FRANCE: Britain’s give Roglic a free run to the player Patricio Heras has Geraint Thomas stretched his finish. been found guilty of match Tour de France yellow jersey Froome managed to limit the fixing and suspended until his lead yesterday as Slovenian damage by following wheels punishment is confirmed at Primoz Roglic won the 19th stage most of the way down before fin- a later date, the Tennis in controversial fashion to push ishing eighth and last from the Integrity Unit (TIU) said defending champion Chris seven-man group of favourites yesterday. Froome off the virtual podium. who crossed the line 19secs The 29-year-old, who Thomas, who has held the behind Roglic. reached a career-high race lead since stage 11 having Fans will be expecting ranking of 269 in September won back-to-back stages in the Froome, a six-time Grand Tour 2013, was found to have con- Alps, finished second on the final champion, to overcome his trived the outcome of a match stage in the high mountains at 13-sec deficit to Roglic and at the ATP Challenger event 19secs behind Roglic after the secure a place in the top three. in Barranquilla, Colombia in Lotto-Jumbo rider had launched But Roglic, who only took up 2015. a series of small attacks before cycling six years ago, is no slouch Following an investi- the summit of the Aubisque. in the race against the clock. Six gation by the TIU, Heras’ case The Welshman’s final sprint of his 22 professional wins are was considered by inde- to clinch second place earned from time trials, including one pendent anti-corruption him six bonus seconds, which from the Giro d’Italia in 2016. hearing officer (AHO) Jane increased his overall lead on “The only thing I can focus Mulcahy QC at a hearing in Dutch rival Tom Dumoulin on in the time trial is myself,” London on April 6 this year. (Sunweb) to 2min 05secs ahead added Roglic. “Having now been found of the penultimate-stage time Frenchman Julian Alap- guilty of the charges, he will trial today. hilippe, meanwhile, did enough be sanctioned at a future date Roglic moved up to third over the first two big climbs, the to be determined by AHO overall at 2:24 behind Thomas, Great Britain’s Geraint Thomas (front left) and France’s Romain Bardet (right) sprint in the last meters Col d’Aspin and the Col du Tour- Mulcahy,” TIU said in a with Froome now fourth at to second and third place of the 19th stage of the 105th edition of the Tour de France cycling race malet, to secure the ‘King of the statement. 2:37. between Lourdes and Laruns, southwestern France, yesterday. Mountains’ polka dot jersey. The TIU added that Heras But while the 28-year-old “It’s exceptional,” said Alap- had also failed to report Slovenian celebrated, Dumoulin hilippe after finishing 36th at corrupt approaches in August was furious at the finish, “I don’t see where the accelerate away from Thomas, was a little surprising... but I 18:38 behind Roglic. and September 2015. claiming Roglic “used the slip- problem is.” Froome, Dumoulin, Spaniard didn’t actually see it myself. “It was my dream to win a It said details of the stream of the motorbike” that Roglic, a former ski jumper, Mikel Landa and Frenchman “I was concentrating on the stage, now I’ve won two and I’ve decision on Heras’ sanctions had moved in front of him was a constant thorn in the side Romain Bardet to leave them in corners, following Tom’s wheel. got the polka dot jersey on my will be made public when shortly after the summit to build of Team Sky on the final climb, a desperate chase on the 20 km There has been an issue with shoulders. It’s an incredible received. an advantage which, in the end, where his accelerations left four- descent to the finish. motorbikes getting too close, but feeling.” Meanwhile, Argentina proved decisive. time champion Froome strug- Later, as the accusations I didn’t see it.” Slovakian Peter Sagan also have turned to former top 10 Asked to confirm the alle- gling to hold the wheel on poured in, Thomas voiced his Although Thomas’s yellow battled through a final, gruelling players Gaston Gaudio, gation, Roglic said: “What can I several occasions. The Slovenian suspicions, saying: “All of a jersey bid was not at stake, day in the mountains, finishing Guillermo Coria and say? I can’t comment on things redoubled his efforts shortly sudden it seemed Roglic got a except in the event of catas- 38:23 behind Roglic to secure his Guillermo Canas to resurrect on which I don’t have influence after cresting the summit, gap. trophe, Sky are desperate to see sixth green jersey for the points their Davis Cup hopes after over. defying the shrouds of mist to “The way he did get the gap Froome finish among the competition. the South American giants lost their elite World Group status. Champions in 2016, with Juan Martin del Potro playing Qatar down Sweden a starring role, and runners- up in 2006, 2008 and 2011, Argentina were relegated from the World Group in in beach handball 2017. Gaudio, the 2004 Roland Garros champion, Coria and THE PENINSULA Qatar lost their first match match to Oman 2-1. Qatar is Canas will replace Daniel 2-0 against Brazil and in the represented at the World Orsanic who had been KAZAN: Qatar defeated Sweden second match went down Championship in Kazan by 10 captain when the team faces 2-0 in the second-round match fighting to Russia 2-1. players. Colombia in a regional qual- of the 8th World Beach Handball Earlier, the Qatar team qual- The Qatari team had qual- ifier in September. Championship in Kazan, Russia ified for the second round after ified for the World Beach “We are confident that yesterday. topping their group in the pre- Handball Championship in this team will take Argentina Action from Qatar’s match during Earlier on Thursday, Qatari liminary round matches. Kazan after winning the sixth back to where we deserve to the 8th World Beach Handball team lost two championship They won against Australia Asian Championship in Thailand be,” said Agustin Calleri, the matches, the event which ends and Denmark by identical last year for the fourth time in a Championship in Kazan, Russia. head of the Argentina Tennis on July 29. margins of 2-0 but lost one row. Association.