Established 1961 25 Sports Monday, November 4, 2019 Bottas on pole at US Grand Prix, Hamilton starts in fifth Hamilton without a pole since German Grand Prix in July

AUSTIN: Valtteri Bottas kept alive his hopes of ing session following an engine failure. delaying Lewis Hamilton’s sixth drivers’ world champi- He posted an early marker lap before Norris took onship celebrations by claiming pole position with a top spot briefly ahead of a reinvigorated Hamilton, who record lap on Saturday in qualifying for the United went fastest in 1:33.454. Verstappen, still itching with States Grand Prix. frustration after being stripped of pole in Mexico a The Finn, who has to win today’s race and hope his week earlier, was second-quickest for Red Bull, ahead Mercedes team-mate finishes outside the top eight to of Bottas, in the second Mercedes. keep the championship alive, clocked a best lap in one The Finn, unflappable as ever, could only keep his minute and 32.029 seconds to outpace second-placed title bid alive by winning and hoping for a rare flop, Sebastian Vettel of Ferrari by 0.012 seconds. outside the top eight, from his team-mate. Max Verstappen was third for Red Bull ahead of Charles Leclerc in the second Ferrari and Hamilton, who ‘TRACK HAS IMPROVED’ was fifth. It was the champion-elect’s equal worst quali- “We think the track has improved, so we’ll take fying of his career on American soil, but he was only another lap,” said Bottas’s engineer as he and Hamilton three-tenths adrift of his team-mate. stayed out to gain more understanding of the track in Hamilton is now without a pole since the German the changing conditions. Unexpectedly, as they did so, Grand Prix in July. For Bottas, it was a first pole in the Norris topped the Q1 times while out went Alfa United States, his fifth this season and the 11th of his Romeo’s Antonio Giovinazzi and Kimi Raikkonen and career, his best lap on his first run in Q3 remaining fast the two Williams men, George Russell and Robert enough to put him on the prime starting spot. Kubica, split by Racing Point’s Sergio Perez. Alex Albon was sixth in the second Red Bull ahead The Mexican will start from the pit-lane on Sunday of the two McLarens of Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris after being penalised for a weighbridge transgression with Daniel Ricciardo ninth for Renault and Pierre on Friday. The Mercedes men, both on medium com- Gasly 10th for Toro Rosso. “I’m really happy about that pound tyres, were first out for Q2 with the Ferraris fol- AUSTIN: Pole position qualifier Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Mercedes GP is presented with the Pirelli Pole Position and it was a nice lap — and to get those kind of laps on lowing on the same rubber. trophy by racing legend Mario Andretti in parc ferme during qualifying for the F1 Grand Prix of USA at Circuit of The a track like this is a good feeling,” said Bottas. Hamilton set the pace ahead of Bottas until Red Americas in Austin, Texas. — AFP “On my last lap, I was losing grip overall so I am glad Bull’s Verstappen, on mediums, and Albon, on softs, nobody improved in the end on the second runs. It was went third and first, sandwiching Hamilton. Albon’s tricky for me yesterday (Friday) so I was do the work lap in 1:32.898 put him within reach of Hamilton’s to lead the way into the top ten shootout while out were also qualifying to start their 100th Grand Prix today and find what I needed in Q3.” 2018 qualifying lap record and the top six were sep- went Daniil Kvyat of Toro Rosso, Renault’s Nico race. In Q3, Bottas smashed Hamilton’s qualifying In significantly warmer conditions, prompting many arated by only three-tenths of a second before their Hulkenberg, Kevin Magnussen of Haas, Lance Stroll of record in 1:32.029 on his first run to lead Vettel, to discard jackets and coats, Leclerc was keen to make second flying runs. Racing Point and Romain Grosjean in the second Haas. Verstappen and Leclerc with the Briton back in fifth, an early entry impression in Q1 after missing the morn- Leclerc went top ahead of Ferrari team-mate Vettel Along with Verstappen, both Magnussen and Sainz three-tenths adrift. — AFP Alvarez KOs ‘Krusher’ Kovalev to claim WBO title Vinales storms LAS VEGAS: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez Mike McCallum. knocked out with a Alvarez is also the second fighter vicious combination in the 11th round to from Mexico to win a light heavyweight to Malaysian win the WBO light heavyweight title on belt, joining Julio Gonzalez who did it in Saturday, moving up two weight classes 2003 and 2004. MotoGP victory to become a four division champ. The 29-year-old Mexican superstar ‘VERY CLOSE’ SEPANG: Spain’s Maverick Vinales stormed to a caught Russia’s Kovalev with a left Despite giving up a size and reach dominant victory in the Malaysian MotoGP yester- hook-right hand combination that sent advantage, Alvarez’s best punch day as world champion Marc Marquez fought his the former champion almost crashing throughout was the left hook which he way from near the back of the starting grid to finish through the ropes near the end of the used in the 11th to initially send Kovalev second. Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso came in third 11th round at the MGM Grand Garden staggering backwards to the ropes. As a but there was disappointment for French rookie Arena in Las Vegas. defenceless Kovalev was going down, Fabio Quartararo, who only managed a lacklustre “This is just one step in my history,” Alvarez then landed a vicious right hand seventh-place after starting from pole. Alvarez said. “Be patient because Canelo to the face that knocked the champion Vinales’s second win of the season was a major will make history. It’s a guarantee.” out cold. “It was a very close fight. He boost following last week’s Australian MotoGP, ‘Krusher’ Kovalev was officially knocked was defensive, closing up his guard. All LAS VEGAS: Canelo Alvarez poses with referee Russell Mora following his victory over Sergey where he crashed out after leading for much of the out at 2:15 of the 11th and stayed down he was doing was establishing his points, Kovalev in WBO light heavyweight title fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. race — and compatriot Marquez went on to win. for some time while being attended to by getting points. But we knew it was com- Alvarez won with an 11th-round . —AFP The Monster Energy Yamaha rider said the victory his corner and the doctor. ing and everything came out the way we felt “amazing” after his disappointing performance It was one of the most devastating had planned,” Alvarez said. in Phillip Island. of the brilliant career of box- This was Alvarez’s first fight since a me,” he said. “We fought 24 rounds and SHORT BREAK “In Phillip Island, I felt like I had the victory in my ing’s biggest star Alvarez, who was fight- unanimous decision over Daniel Jacobs we beat him. But if it represents business Kovalev was coming off an 11th- hands but I made a mistake and I crashed,” he told ing in the 175 pound division for the first in May. Alvarez is now riding a four fight then why not.” round knockout of mandatory challenger reporters at the Sepang circuit following the penul- time. “The plan was patience, to have winning streak with his lone blemish Kovalev was the biggest name in the Anthony Yarde in August, making this timate race of the season. patience. We knew it would take time for being a majority draw against Gennady light heavyweight division having boxed one of the shortest breaks between “Here all weekend I’ve been very consistent. I me to get to him. I am new at this divi- Golovkin in their first of two bouts. there his entire career, which began in fights in his career. Even though he beat knew if I got first place I had a chance to push, push sion, but overall it was successful,” He sought out Kovalev to add another 2009. “I tired after the sixth round,” said Yarde, Kovalev still found himself in and push.” The 24-year-old surged into an early Alvarez said. belt to his impressive collection which Kovalev. “I had instructions to use more trouble and was nearly stopped in the lead at Sepang after starting second on the grid and The fight had been close throughout includes titles at junior middleweight, mid- jabs. Just not enough stamina. It is okay, eighth round. never looked threatened. By the halfway mark, he with Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) winning dleweight and super middleweight. Many I will be back.” In bizarre move for a major boxing had opened up a two second lead over second- most of the early rounds by using a boxing fans would have liked to have seen The Russian was hoping that a win card, Saturday’s main event was delayed placed Marquez, and was over three seconds ahead steady jab to keep the burly Alvarez at a Alvarez face rival and former unified title- over pound-for-pound king Alvarez for over an hour with both fighters left to of him when he crossed the finish line. distance. Alvarez was ahead 96-94, 96- holder Golovkin for a third time after two would help resurrect an ageing career lounge in their dressing rooms with Marquez’s performance was even more aston- 94, 95-95 on the scorecards. highly entertaining but disputed bouts — that had been on shaky ground of late. gloves on because the boxing streaming ishing, however, after he started 11th on the grid Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) becomes a draw in 2017 and a majority decision Kovalev lost his WBA, IBF and WBO service DAZN wanted to wait until a tel- following a terrifying crash in qualifying that saw just the fourth boxer in history to win a win for Alvarez in the 2018 rematch. But belts in back-to-back defeats to Andre evised mixed martial arts bout in New him thrown from his bike. Within a few laps the junior middleweight world title and one Alvarez had other plans. Ward in 2016 and 2017, but regained a York had finished first. Repsol Honda rider, who was crowned world at light heavyweight, a spread of 21 Alvarez left that door open on share of the title after beating The Vegas boxing crowd was shown champion for the sixth time last month, had pounds (154 to 175). The other three are Saturday for another showdown with Colombia’s Eleider Alvarez in a rematch the martial arts fight on a big screen in smashed his way through the pack and was trying Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Golovkin. “It is really not a challenge for in February. the arena while they waited. — AFP to chase down Vinales. While he did not manage to catch his compatriot, Marquez nevertheless opened up a sizeable gap to the free skating with an overall reporters. Du Toit beat off competition with the rest of the field and cruised to a comfort- World champ score of 159.45 points to clinch her Du Toit voted including his team-mate wing Cheslin able second place. The 26-year-old said the first lap, second senior medal in only three Kolbe, as well as All Black Ardie Savea and which catapulted him to the front, was “incredible” Chen, Kostornaia competitions. player of the England’s young star Tom Curry. and congratulated his team for the good result. Kostornaia, who claimed gold at the The women’s player of the year award “We started from 11th, and we cannot forget that Finlandia Trophy in mid-October, saw went to Emily Scarratt, the 29-year-old here normally we struggle a lot,” he said. As well as win French off Mariah Bell of the United States year in WCup centre who helped England to a Grand the rider’s title, Marquez has helped secure the con- who was second on 142.64 and com- Slam in the women’s Six Nations. structor’s championship for Honda this season. And Grand Prix patriot and Olympic champion Alina Rugby awards The World Rugby panel picked South on Sunday, he added another record to his list — Zagitova in third with 141.82. Africa as men’s team of the year and the most points scored in a season in motorcycling’s “I am pleased that I was able to Erasmus as top coach after the Springboks premier class. PARIS: Double world champion skate well and to show a clean pro- TOKYO: South Africa flanker Pieter- won the World Cup and also secured the He has now racked up 395, higher than the previ- Nathan Chen booked his place at gramme. I hope to improve my jumps Steph du Toit was named World Rugby Rugby Championship for the first time ous record of 383 held by three-time world champi- December’s figure skating Grand and my programme with each compe- Player of the Year yesterday as the World since 2009. Erasmus took over as director on Jorge Lorenzo. There was a tough fight for third Prix Finals by winning gold at the tition and to perfect myself. “I had a Cup-winning Springboks swept the main of rugby at the end of 2017 and shortly place between Italy’s Dovizioso, who won at Sepang French leg of the series in Grenoble show number to this music and I liked awards. Rassie Erasmus won coach of the afterwards doubled his responsibilities by in 2016 and 2017, and nine-time world champion on Saturday. America’s Chen scored it so much and we decided to use it for year and South Africa also took the team becoming head coach following the sack- Valentino Rossi. 297.16 points to beat Russia’s this season,” said Kostornaia who award at a glittering ceremory in Tokyo, a ing of Allister Coetzee after a miserable run Rossi managed to push past Dovizioso on several Alexander Samarin in second place skated to ‘Twilight’, ‘New Moon’ and day after they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for of 12 losses from 25 games. occasions, only for the Ducati rider to snatch the and France’s Kevin Aymoz who fin- ‘Supermassive Black Hole’. the third time. He has rapidly turned the Boks’ fortunes lead back and finish just ahead of his compatriot. ished third to secure a spot in Elsewhere, four-time world cham- The 27-year-old du Toit was instrumen- around, culminating in Saturday’s 32-12 Quartararo had dominated all weekend going into Turin’s season finale with three pion ice dancers Gabriella Papadakis tal in South Africa’s World Cup campaign, win over England in the final when Siya the MotoGP, topping the timesheets in practice and events to spare. and Guillaume Cizeron clinched their especially effective at the breakdown and Kolisi, their first black captain, lifted the smashing the Sepang lap record, before seizing his “I am happy to have qualified for fifth French Grand Prix win in the winning the battle against England’s famed trophy in Yokohama. fifth pole position of the season. the final. Placement-wise of course I’m space of six years. The French pair “kamikaze kids” back row in the final. “I’m very, very proud to be South The 20-year-old Petronas Yamaha rider had happy with the results,” Chan told scored an overall 133.55 points to “It’s a massive honour for me to accept Africa,” said the affable Erasmus, a strong been aiming for his maiden MotoGP victory — but isu.org. “I made a lot of silly errors, beat the American pair of Madison this award,” said Du Toit, who plays his believer in building a game plan around in the event, he was no match for his more experi- errors that I need to fix,” he added. Chock and Evan Bates with Italy’s club rugby for Western Province. “I think kicking half-backs and a solid set-piece. enced rivals and fell to the back right at the start. Chen’s second gold medal of the Charlene Guignard and Marco when we come back (to South Africa), it’s “We’re all trying to be like the All The MotoGP in tropical Malaysia has often been series after winning at Skate America Gabbri in third. going to be an unbelievable experience... Blacks. We’ve enjoyed the last 24 hours. disrupted by torrential downpours in previous in Las Vegas hands the 20-year-old a Russia’s Anastasia Mishina and We can’t wait to get home. We miss our We’ll enjoy the next two weeks and then years but the rain stayed away this year for the chance to claim his third straight over- Aleksandr Galliamov took the pairs country so much,” added the 55-cap loose after that, we want to be like New whole weekend. all Grand Prix title. won ahead of compatriots Daria forward. Zealand, to be consistent,” he added. “We In the Moto2 class, Alex Marquez — Marc’s Later Saturday, 16-year-old Pavliuchenko and Denis Khodykin. “I’ve got three younger brothers as well really needed some good news,” he said, younger brother — was crowned world champion Russian Alena Kostornaia carried Grenoble is the third stop on the six- and they tell me ‘You’re living our dream’, referring to the “many challenges” faced after finishing second in his race yesterday. —AFP her lead from the short programme round Grand Prix series. — AFP so I have to live up to that,” he told by his country. — AFP