SPORT Sunday 5 November 2017

PAGE | 23 PAGE | 24-25 PAGE | 27 McGrath unsure off Rosberg sees genetics NBA:NBA James dazzles Ashes whitewash foror as a big part of F1 in winwi for Cleveland Aussies success Cavaliers All smiles: Celebrating the Asian award Brilliant Al Sailiya climb to 4th spot

Fawad Hussain The Peninsula

l Sailiya snatched fourth spot at the QNB Stars League (QSL) points stand- ings from Umm SalalA after imposing a thrilling 3-2 victory over their counter- parts in their Round 7 game at Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. With the victory, Al Sailiya leapfrogged to fourth position in the points standings with 15 points, pushing Umm Salal (13 The President of Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and points) to fifth position. Al star Qatari high jumper Mutaz Barshim (centre) pose for a group picture along with other Duhail, Al Rayyan and Al Sadd officials, after the National Olympic Committee (ANOC) Awards Ceremony in Prague last respectively occupy the first weekend. Barshim was named ‘Best Athlete in Asia’ for his outstanding run throughout the three positions. 2017 in which he also claimed the world title. Pics: Twitter: @mutazbarshim Brazilian Wagner Renan Ribeiro scored a brace within a ANOC General Mutaz Barshim takes a selfie. span of eight minutes in crucial stage of the match to turn out Al Sailiya as eventual winners. The Assembly ends sea-saw battle witnessed stiff action from both the sides. with Qatar’s Al Sailiya started the match strongly and took lead before participation Umm Salal scored twice to turn the match in their favour. Prague Abdulkarem Al Ali opened QNA up the scoring in 36th minute with a clinical left footer from a he General Assembly of fair distance as Al Sailiya took the Association of the the lead which they retained till Al Sailiya player Nadir Belhadj (right) and Umm Salal’s Youcef National Olympic Com- the breather. T Sekour vie for the ball possession during their QNB Stars mittees (ANOC), hosted by Umm Salal levelled the score the Czech Republic, Prague, through Youcef Sekour who League (QSL) match at Al Ahli Stadium yesterday. concluded on Friday with the executed a brilliant goal from a Picture: Abdul Basit/The Peninsula participation of Qatar’s dele- header in the 48th minute cor- gation headed by President ner. The goal lifted Umm Salal cage this time, just eight min- Seven minutes later, Ribeiro of Qatar Olympic Committee and their repeated attacks cul- utes later. struck another goal to secure a (QOC) H E Sheikh Joaan bin minated in another goal with Al Sailiya, though, held their 3-2 lead. Umm Salal made var- Hamad Al Thani, and officials Mahmoud Kamal finding the nerves after conceding two ious attempts in the next six from 206 countries. quick goals and soon took con- minutes but Al Sailiya’s defence In the closing statement, QSL RESULTS trol of the match back. was strong enough to ensure the the Congress praised the Their repeated attacks in the 3-2 win. efforts of the International Al Sailiya 3 (Abdulkarem Al Ali 36, Wagner Re- 79th minute earned them a pen- At Al Khor Stadium, Al Arabi Olympic Committee president nan Ribeiro 79, 87) bt Umm Salal 2 (Youcef alty and Ribeiro was lucky and Al Kharaitiyat played out a Thomas Bach to arrange the the Winter Games next year. a complete ban on Russian ath- Sekour 48, Mahmoud Kamal 56) enough to get goalie’s rebound 1-1 draw. , Mardek Mrdkian (78)

agenda for the Tokyo 2020 The General Assembly of the letes from participating in the Al Arabi 1 (Mardek Mrdkian 78) draw with Al after the first attempt, and he scored for Al Arabi while Goun- Olympics, saying he supports Association of National Olympic Winter Olympics in 2018, at the Kharaitiyat 1 (Gounerou Mohy 93) made no mistake the second time erou Mohy (93) scored the Pyongyang’s efforts to host Committees criticised the call for backdrop of doping issues. to secure a leveller for his side. leveler for Al Kharaitiyat. QFA disciplinary body suspends, fines 3 Umm Salal players

QNA

he disciplinary committee of the Qatar Foot- ball Association (QFA) has suspended three TUmm Salal players for a month for insult- ing the match referee. The trio of players include Abdul Aziz Al Yihri, who was also fined QR15,000. Abdulrahman Al Khater and Ghadir Al Shammari who were also suspended got a fine of QR 10,000 each. The committee also decided, at its meeting, which was held on Thursday, to draw the atten- tion of Al Arabi and impose a fine of QR 10,000 on the club because of the delay of players to get to the stadium ahead of the start of the match with Al Ahli in the sixth round of the QNB Stars League (QSL). Also, the disciplinary committee drew the attention of Al Rayyan’s player Sebastian Soria for not cooperating with the organisers of his team’s match with Al Sadd. It was also decided to draw the attention of Al Mesaimeer coach Dragan Tadic, and fined him QR 5,000 because of his objection to the deci- sions of the referee in the last game. 22 SPORT SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017

Cavani reaches Leicester stretch unbeaten run milestone as PSG win 5-0 London AFP against Angers

eicester City extended Paris their unbeaten run AFP yesterday with a draw at Stoke while strug- he injured Neymar was gling West Brom’s left at home as Edinson Lwinless run stretched to nine TCavani reached a cen- league matches against 10-man tury of goals in Ligue 1 with a Huddersfield, cranking up the brace in Paris Saint-Ger- pressure on manager Tony Pulis. main’s 5-0 romp away to With five of the top six sides Angers yesterday. not in action until tomorrow, the The world’s most expen- focus was on the battle lower sive player sat out the game down the Premier League table at the Stade Raymond Kopa before Liverpool were due to with a minor thigh problem kick off in the late match against picked up in the midweek struggling West Ham. Champions League win over In the early game, former Anderlecht but he was not England striker Peter Crouch missed as PSG went provi- came off the bench to rescue a sionally seven points clear at point for Stoke City in a 2-2 the top of the table from draw, denying new Leicester Monaco. manager Claude Puel another Kylian Mbappe and Julian victory after he won his first Draxler both scored early match at the helm against Ever- goals and Cavani netted his ton last week. 100th in France’s top flight on The 2015-16 Premier League the half-hour mark. champions are now unbeaten in The Uruguayan scored six games in all competitions again on the hour mark after early season struggles but before Mbappe grabbed his will be disappointed they twice second of the day late on to let their lead slip, and in the end take him to six goals in 12 Leicester City’s Vicente Iborra celebrates scoring their first goal with Jamie Vardy during the English Premier League match were indebted to goalkeeper appearances for the club. Kasper Schmeichel, who made against Stoke City in Stoke-on-Trent, Britain, yesterday. A second successive five- a fantastic flying stop in the goal victory for PSG means dying seconds. today. It is difficult to accept one West Brom, struggling for substitutions from Pulis but the Elsewhere, Sean Dyche’s they remain unbeaten in all Leicester parted company point but Kasper saved well at goals, have not won a Premier visitors failed to force an Burnley extended their impres- competitions this season, with Craig Shakespeare last the end so then OK, we take a League match since mid- equaliser. sive unbeaten away record with while Angers are still without month after slipping into the rel- point. It is an encouraging game August and remain just two “The fact they went down to a 1-0 win at Southampton cour- a win at home. egation zone but have recovered which is important for the points clear of the relegation 10 men should’ve meant the tesy of a late strike from As well as Neymar, PSG strongly under caretaker boss future.” zone, with Pulis’s proud record game swung in our favour but substitute Sam Vokes to climb to were without Marquinhos Michael Appleton and ex-South- Huddersfield’s Rajiv van La of never being relegated under we couldn’t find the goal,” said sixth in the table. and Angel Di Maria, whose ampton manager Puel. Parra broke the deadlock at threat. West Brom defender Jonny With three wins and two partners have both given “I am happy with the attitude home to West Brom, lighting up Huddersfield were forced to Evans draws, Burnley have already birth in recent days. Coach of my players, it was a good a match devoid of real quality play for more than half an hour “It’s been a while since our won more games and points on Unai Emery therefore opted game, good intensity and pas- with a stunning strike on the with 10 men after Christopher last win but we keep our heads the road than they amassed in to give a first start since sion,” said Puel. stroke of the interval that lifts Schindler was shown a second up into the international the whole of 2016-17, when they August to Javier Pastore. “We had a lot of chances them up to 10th. yellow card, prompting three break.” garnered just seven. PSG’s opener arrived inside five minutes as Mbappe turned in a Dani Alves cross from the right, and it was 2-0 before quarter of an hour had been played. Valencia put pressure on Barcelona Again Alves was the pro- vider with a delightful through ball for Draxler, who Madrid going to enjoy the moment,” said a perfect start on 14 minutes. responsibility from the spot eight midweek amidst a run of one beat Mathieu Michel with a AFP Marcelino. On loan Paris Saint-Germain minutes from time to round off win in eight games. clipped first-time finish. “In the dressing room there winger Goncalo Guedes has been the scoring. “It was a phenome- And they suffered from a The third goal that alencia swept aside is no euphoria, there is realism Valencia’s star performer in nal (gesture). They worked it out familiar lack of creativity at Ria- allowed Cavani to reach his Leganes 3-0 yesterday as and constant analysis. recent weeks and the Portuguese themselves and I prefer it like zor with Simeone even century came at the end of Vthey continued their stun- “We know how difficult it was inches away from his fourth that,” added Marcelino. substituting star frontman Anto- a brilliant move, with Alves ning form with an eighth straight will be to keep this up, it’s prac- goal of the season when he “It goes to show the atmos- ine Griezmann 10 minutes from finding Adrien Rabiot, who win to close to within a point of tically impossible.” struck the post early in the sec- phere there is within the group, time. released Mbappe to show- La Liga leaders Barcelona. After travelling to Espanyol ond period. which is the foundation for us to However, a relieved Sime- case his lightning pace and Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side following the international The hosts had to wait until perform like this.” one punched the air in delight set up Cavani to blast also moved ahead of Barca as the break, Valencia host Barca at 19 minutes from time to seal the By contrast, Atletico Madrid’s when Ghanaian midfielder home. league’s top scorers with 30 Mestalla on November 26. points with a blistering counter- struggle for goals continues but Partey curled home Gabi’s lay- Cavani, signed from goals in their first 11 games as Parejo has been one of many attack that ended with Spanish Diego Simeone’s men were off from a free-kick on the edge Napoli in 2013, reached the Dani Parejo, Rodrigo and Santi players rejuvenated by Marce- international Rodrigo heading bailed out by Thomas Partey’s of the box to pass Griezmann and landmark on his 145th Mina found the net. lino’s arrival at Mestalla after two home Manchester United loanee 91st-minute winner in a 1-0 vic- join Angel Correa as Atletico’s Ligue 1 appearance and Barca can reopen a four- seasons in the doldrums for Andreas Pereira’s cross. tory at Deportivo la Coruna. top scorer this season on four joins a select club in hav- point gap at the top of the table Valencia. And the team-spirit in this A 1-1 draw at home to goals. ing scored 100 times in two when they host Sevilla. The captain’s clever free- Valencia side was demonstrated Azerbaijani champions Qarabag Victory moves Atletico three of Europe’s big five leagues “No one will go undefeated kick that skidded underneath the when habitual penalty-taker all but ended Atletico’s Champi- points clear of cross-city rivals having also achieved the through 38 games, but we are Leganes wall got Valencia off to Parejo let Mina take ons League campaign in Real Madrid in third. feat in Serie A. Fawzy and Kraatz top in ‘Swim for a Cause’ races

The Peninsula the finishing line first leaving Allegra Gasparri and Alice imone Franceschi, Omar Tranceschi to take the remain- Fawzy and Justin Kraatz ing two spots on the podium Sbagged the top honours in In the men’s 500m, Fawzy the men’s section of ‘Swim for beat the challenge of Justin Kraatz a Cause’ open water swimming and Michael Berndt to finish first races organised by Sharq Vil- leaving Kraatz and Berndt to take lage and Spa at the Sharq the first runners-up and second Village & Spa Beach. runners-up positions. In the women’s section, In the women’s 500m, Jana Rada, Georgia Twigg and Twigg emerged on top while Marse Glifore, finished on top Kyna Galvin and Laica Radi in their respective races. clinched the remaining spots on The contest, held in collabo- the podium. ration with Qatar Charity, while In the 1000m men’s section, H2O swim club, Six Senses Spa, Kraatz set up a lighting pace MAD triathlon and Tri Club Doha, from the start leaving Michael saw over 130 swimmers contest- Berndt, and Matteo Franceschi ing in three categories over a behind. Berndt finished second distance of 250m, 500m and followed by Franceschi. 1000m, in both the men’s and In the women’s section Gli- women’s section. fore beat off stiff competition In the men’s 250m race, from first runner-up Andrea Franceschi took the top hon- Stadler and Givlia Da Corte, the ours followed by Leonardo second runner-up to finish first. Bettoni and Marek Olewski. The next Swim for a Cause ‘The podium winners at the Swim for a Cause’ open water swimming races organised by Sharq Village and Spa at the Sharq In the women’s section of open swimming challenge will 250m, Rada crossed be held on November 25. Village & Spa Beach pose for a group picture. SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 23 Stoneman, Vince start Ton-up Munro helps well as Root, Cook out cheaply for England

Perth time in the middle,” he added. AFP Vince had a charmed life Kiwis level series and gave three chances in his ark Stoneman and knock on 47, 63 and 67, twice James Vince were in at slip by Nathan Coulter-Nile Mthe runs but skipper Joe and once at mid-wicket from a Rajkot two wickets in his very first New Root was dismissed cheaply as pull. Dawid Malan and Gary AFP over and send the openers Zealand England made a solid start to Ballance spent valuable time in trudging back to the batsman their Ashes tour in Perth the middle with Malan scoring pener Colin pavilion. Colin Munro yesterday. 56 and Ballance 51, before they Munro hit a blis- The left-handed Shikhar plays a shot Stoneman hit 85 off 113 balls both retired to give others fur- tering century to Dhawan was bowled for one during the while Vince compiled 82 off 129 ther down the order batting help New Zea- while Sharma, who scored second T20 balls as the tourists reached 349 practice. land down india five, was caught behind as international for six at the close of the first Malan was impressive in his Oby 40 runs in the second India were left struggling at against day after winning the toss in time at the wicket. He stroked Twenty20 international and 11-2 after two overs. India at the their two-day game against a his first delivery through mid- level the series at 1-1 Kiwi bowlers kept chip- Saurashtra Western Australia XI. off for four, and looked fluent yesterday. ping away with regular But Root fell for just nine on front and back foot and dis- Cricket Munro smashed an wickets as Munro, who bowls and experienced opener ciplined outside off stump. Association unbeaten 58-ball 109 to pro- right-arm medium pace, also Alastair Cook was out on the Jonny Bairstow (36) and pel the Kiwis to 196-2 and in contributed with Shreyas Stadium second ball of the innings in set- Chris Woakes (25) guided the reply, the hosts could only Iyer’s crucial scalp. in Rajkot backs for the England team tourists to stumps. manage 156-7 at the batting- Kohli tried his level best yesterday. ahead of the Ashes series. It was an underwhelming friendly Rajkot Stadium. during his fifty-plus partner- Root looked annoyed when start to the Ashes tour for Kiwi fast bowler Trent ships with Iyer, who made 23, he was given out caught behind former captain Cook, who was Boult claimed four wickets to and then Mahendra Singh when it looked like the ball had out for a first-ball duck to Ryan flatten the Indian chase Dhoni, who scored 49, but the flicked his leg rather than his Harris the last time he played despite a valiant 42-ball 65 climbing run-rate got to him. bat. at the WACA Ground back in from Indian skipper Virat The star batsman finally Stoneman fell 15 runs short 2013. Kohli, who got little help from fell to Mitchell Santner’s left- of his century when he was Cook prodded at a good ball the other end. arm spin and with him India’s picked up at second slip as he from Ashes Test pace aspirant Boult hurt India’s reply hopes faded away. attempted to drive paceman Coulter-Nile just outside the off with his left-arm pace to get Earlier, Munro put on 105 Lance Morris. stump and nicked to wicket- That ended a 153-run stand keeper Calum How. SCOREBOARD for the second wicket with Coulter-Nile proved a New Zealand S Iyer c & b Munro ...... 23 Vince, who was caught at mid- handful for Stoneman and M Guptill c Pandya b Chahal ...... 45 H Pandya b Sodhi ...... 1 runs for the opening wicket the Indian bowling attack. wicket off Aaron Hardie. Vince in his opening spell C Munro (not out) ...... 109 M.S Dhoni c Santner b Boult ...... 49 with Martin Guptill (45), to lay Debutant paceman “It was good to get that time before they settled into the K Williamson c Sharma b Siraj ...... 12 A Patel c Williamson b Boult ...... 5 a solid foundation after the Mohammed Siraj gave away in the middle,” Stoneman said. groove. Coulter-Nile, who T Bruce (not out) ...... 18 Kiwis elected to bat first. 53 runs in four overs but got “There was enough there to finished the day with one for Extras (LB2, W10) ...... 12 B Kumar (not out) ...... 2 Guptill hit Yuzvendra Cha- his maiden international keep the opening bowlers inter- 43 off 16 overs, is attempting Total (2 wkts) ...... 196 J Bumrah (not out) ...... 1 hal for two sixes and a four in wicket in skipper Kane Wil- ested with the new ball and to force his way into the Aus- Fall of wickets: 1-105, 2-140 Extras (B2, LB1, W1) ...... 4 Did not bat: G Phillips, C de Grandhomme, H Ni- the leg-spinner’s first over to liamson for 12. there’s that bit of extra bounce tralian squad for the first cholls, M Santner, A Milne, I Sodhi, T Boult Total (7 wkts) ...... 156 make his intent clear. The left-handed Munro, here, which always has the Test against England, start- Bowling: Kumar 4-0-29-0 (w2), Siraj 4-0-53-1 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-11, 3-65, 4-67, Chahal finally got his who hit 7 fours and 7 sixes, catchers in play. ing in Brisbane on November (w1), Bumrah 4-0-23-0, Chahal 4-0-36-1 (w2), 5-123, 6-130, 7-154 revenge after denying Guptill, and Tom Bruce, who scored “It was nice once we got 23. Patel 3-0-39-0 (w5), Pandya 1-0-14-0 Did not bat: M Siraj, Y Chahal who smashed 3 fours and 3 18, signed off with a 56-run through that new-ball period England decided to field 13 India Bowling: Milne 4-0-30-0 (w1), Boult sixes in his 41-ball knock. unbeaten stand for the third to settle in and get into some players in the tour match, with R Sharma c Phillips b Boult ...... 5 4-0-34-4, Grandhomme 1-0-10-0, Munro made the most of his wicket. The action now moves rhythm. only Steven Finn (jarred left S Dhawan b Boult ...... 1 Santner 4-0-31-1, Sodhi 4-0-25-1, two reprieves, on 45 and 79, to to the third and deciding “Cook and Root are the knee), Moeen Ali (side strain)

V Kohli c Phillips b Santner ...... 65 Munro 3-0-23-1 register his second T20 ton -- match in Thiruvanan- bankers -- it’s a shame for them and back-up wicketkeeper Ben in just 54 balls -- and pulverise thapuram on Tuesday. on a personal note but it gave Foakes missing from the other guys the chance to get 16-man touring squad.

McGrath unsure of whitewash for Aussies

London awaits the outcome of a police AFP investigation into an incident in Bristol in September egendary Australian pace- “Being vice-captain you do man Glenn McGrath is I think it will be a fascinating series have to set the standards both Lfond of predicting Ashes and I don’t think there’s a real on and off the field and what whitewashes for his compatri- happened there was not good, ots over England - but this time stand-out winner: Glenn McGrath you can’t say anything but round he is not so sure. that,” said McGrath. The 47-year-old, who “The great shame of it is brought the curtain down on that he has the world at his feet. his stellar Test career 10 years He’s such a good player. ago with a 5-0 cleansweep of “He’s two players in one so England, told yesterday’s Daily Tests over a 14 year period -- half the guys I haven’t really seen it’s a big blow to England. I Mail newspaper everyone is admits that prediction could be play before to be honest. wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not expecting him to say 5-0. tempered by a couple of per- “I don’t think the Austral- here for the entire series. “Well, it would be rude of sonnel issues the Aussies are ians have settled on their team. “If he did come out here it me not to, wouldn’t it?” jested facing. “The No 6 position and the will be interesting to see how McGrath. “If our bowlers can “I think it will be a fascinat- keeper are up in the air at the the fans warm to him but stay on the park and bowl well ing series and I don’t think moment so we’ll see what hap- there’s a lot to happen first there could be a good chance there’s a real stand-out win- pens. It’s still special. It’s still the before we see whether that can of that again. ner,” said McGrath, not just a ultimate.” happen. England’s Mark “It’s always up to the bats- Test bowler but an integral part McGrath says the Ben “It could be a distraction. Stoneman plays a shot men. Bowlers will win matches of the Australian side that won Stokes affair has obviously “Of course it’s a blow to the against a Western as long as the batsmen score three successive One Day affected the balance of power series. You want to play against Australia XI during a enough runs. That’s coming World Cups, between the two sides. the best players. For Australia two-day Ashes tour from a bowler.” “Both teams have got issues, Talismanic all-rounder to win you want the opposition match at the WACA in However McGrath -- who there’s no doubt about that, and Stokes has had to remain in to be at full strength and that’s Perth, yesterday. took 563 Test wickets in 124 looking at the England squad, England as he the way it’s always been.” Flanagan wants New York Marathon show of ‘resilience’

New York 50,000 runners pound the pave- “I’ve been in a terrorist attack “What I do know, 100 per- Flanagan, 36, meanwhile Mary Keitany of Kenya. Keitany AFP ments of the Big Apple. in 2013 in Boston. I was there cent, is that we’re a very resilient said she may consider retiring if is chasing a fourth consecutive Flanagan, the 2008 Olympic that day and had just completed nation and I don’t think there are she stuns the field with a victory victory in New York after wins merican runner Shalane silver medallist over 10,000m, my race. So it very much hits many tougher people than New today. in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Flanagan hopes today’s said Tuesday’s carnage in New home and is very personal to me Yorkers, and marathoners are “I can think of no better way The men’s race meanwhile ANew York Marathon will York had hit her hard as a vet- having been a part of a terrorist pretty tough too,” Flanagan said. to end my career and my story will see Eritrea’s Ghirmay Ghe- be a show of resilience as the city eran of the 2013 Boston attack.” “So I think it’s an opportu- with a major win,” she said. breslassie return hoping to recovers from the deadly truck Marathon targeted by Flanagan, who finished sixth nity to show resilience and “If I was in the position of make a successful defence of attack that left eight people dead bombers. in last year’s Olympic marathon strength and coming together. winning on Sunday, this would his title. in Manhattan. “It’s obviously devastating in Rio de Janeiro, said she hoped “And when you come be my last marathon. That’s how The 21-year-old is likely to Blanket security will line the and very concerning,” Flanagan Sunday’s race would provide an together as a community it really I want things to end.” face a tough challenge from Ken- route of the world-famous race, said of the New York attack, opportunity to put on a show of empowers people and helps peo- Standing in Flanagan’s way ya’s Wilson Kipsang, the 2014 which will see an estimated which also left 12 people injured. strength. ple heal.” however is defending champion champion. 24 SPORT SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017 SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 25

Former Formula One World Champion, Nico Rosberg (left) talks to his father, former World Champion Keke Rosberg, before the practice session for the Canadian Formula One Grand Prix in QMMF announces new-look QSTK Championship Montreal, Canada in this file photo .

Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula Qatar Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) President Abdulrehman Al Mannai (second left) addressing the It was a very good season. We are very he Qatar SuperStock 600 gathering during a press-conference held at the Losail happy to see new Qatari faces in our International Circuit yesterday. Losail Circuit Sports Club Championship (QSTK) will championship and this was one of (LCSC) Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General Khalid Al have races in two separate our goals. Last year we tried to reduce classes in the 2017-18 sea- Remaihi (third left), popular Qatari riders Saeed Al Sulaiti son, it was announced at (left) and Mashel Al Naimi also look on. the cost on our competitors and we TLosail International Circuit (LIC). are happy with the results. Of course, Last year, popular rider Saeed Al there are some areas to improve Sulaiti clinched the SuperStock 600 and we are going to work on them title ahead of compatriot and arch- in the next season and make this rival Mashel Al Naimi by just 5 points. championship bigger and However, in an effort to create a level playing field for those challeng- better: QMMF President ing Al Sulaiti and Al Naimi, the Qatar Abdulrehman Al Mannai Motor and Motorcycling Federation (QMMF) have decided to make two classes of racing especially for those starting out in bike racing. The new class - the QSTK Trophy - will be contested with 600cc bikes. “We will have races in two cate- Former champion R osberg sees gories in the new racing season,” QMMF President Abdulrehman Al I want to thank QMMFMF and the Mannai said yesterday at LIC. Losail Circuit Sports Club for “As you know, Saeed and Mashel supporting all the ridersders in the were very fast last season. Keeping that genetics as a big part of success championship. Also tthankshanks ‘‘TeamTeam in mind we don’t want to discourage Saeed’ and all the peopleeople who are the other young riders competing against them,” Al Mannai added. behind me as I couldd nnotot hhaveave “So we decided to create a differ- achieved this withoutut tthem.hem. London Without giving examples, ent category based on lap-time. They were motivatingng me Reuters NICO ROSBERG KEKE ROSBERG Rosberg said many Formula Anybody who could get to 2 minutes from the start until tthehe One drivers had personality and 9 seconds or lower will be with last lap: Saeed Al Sulaitilaiti etired 2016 Formula One Country: Germany Country: Finland traits that were both a strength these guys (Al Sulaiti and Al Naimi). world champion Nico Date of Birth: June 27, Date of birth: December and weakness. But anybody who has a longer lap time RRosberg says genetics, 1985 6, 1948 (Age 68) “The general Formula One will be in the new category (the 600cc Losail Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) be in the same level in the new sea- SuperSport class in the final round of mind management and being (Age 32) driver is a big narcissist, in love class),” the QMMF President explained. Vice-Chairman and Secretary-Gen- The Qatar Supertock 600 son,” he added. the WorldSBK on Friday, said: “To less self-enamoured than F1 statistics with himself and he thinks he’s “The new category will have its eral Khalid Al Remaihi said: “The major Championship and the “This is a championship for eve- be honest, I had a smooth ride. I had some of the other drivers all F1 statistics Active years: the best in the world and it’s own podium and prizes. This way we objective we have been working on is rybody but of course our aim is to decided that I would give it all. I was played a part in his success. Races: 206 1978–1986 always the other guy’s fault,” can balance the championship to get a quality set of riders. This year QSTK Trophy will consist support home-grown riders,” Al surprised to see myself do so well. The German retired Drivers' Titles: 1 Races: 128 (114 starts) he said. between young riders and the experi- we want to build on the success of the of 5 rounds each and both Remaihi explained. I want to thank my team for the way abruptly at the end of last sea- Victories: 23 Drivers' Titles: 1 “That gives you a certain enced ones. We are hoping that the championship staged last season.” classes are open to The QMMF President, in a quick they set up the bike to suit my rid- son after beating Mercedes Pole positions: 30 Victories: 5 strength in this crazy environ- championship will be at two levels,” He added: “We had fun on track international riders. The response, said: “I think LCSC have done ing style. We did it. Hopefully we I am happyhappy withwith mym overall team mate Lewis Hamilton to Podiums: 57 Pole positions: 5 ment where you are judged by he said. and in the stands throughout the sea- a fantastic job hosting the final round can do well in the coming days and the title and becoming the sec- Career points: 1594.5 Podiums: 17 millions of people every little deadline to register is performanceperformance in the last seasonse as I “Last season was our first attempt son. That was our drive and we did it. December 3, 2017. of the WorldSBK Championship. They weeks.” ond son of a champion to win Fastest laps: 17 Career points: 159.5 moment but it’s also a weak- with a new championship set-up. We The QMMF President has shed light on have stitched together added attrac- Al Naimi, the runner-up in the iimprovedmproved in every race. A bbigig thanks to the championship. Laps: 11160 Fastest laps: 3 ness because you don’t had one bike, one engine, one chassis the second new class that we are intro- tions for this week. The organisation Qatar SuperStock 600 Championship, QMQMMFMF and LLCSCCSC because ththeye made a Finnish father Keke was question yourself as much. and we wanted to make the competi- ducing. It will be a class for the is amazing.” said: “I would like to thank my team very goodgood championship.championship. We hope we world champion in 1982. “I was more on the other tion equal for every rider. beginners.” was very high. But then we got to see When asked about his perform- who work very hard for me. Every time do betterbetter in tthehe nnextex season. “I just from my dad genet- nurtured,” he added. “I would son is a successful driver side, the more sensitive, less “That brought a lot of excitement Al Remaihi said high quality of rac- that the newcomers improved dramat- ance last season, Al Sulaiti said: “First I do well, it is because of the support I CongratulationsCongratulations to Saeed and all riders. ically inherited a natural gift go to that extreme. In our sport because it’s the genes that pass narcissistic. Questioning to the championship. As you saw Saeed ing last season made the championship ically last season. That is partly because of all, I want to say ‘Thank you’ to have. I enjoyed myself in the Super- to drive racing cars,” Rosberg, it’s very clear...” on,” he added. myself all the time, trying to and Mashel produced very exciting a battle between two top riders - Al QMMF have developed a training pro- Mashel. We both were consistently Sport qualifying (on Friday). I am They made a goodgood performanceperformanc to show who is now looking at tech- Referring to Red Bull’s Max Hamilton, who became improve step by step.” battles. This year we expect the cham- Sulaiti and Al Naimi. He also said that gramme that is parallel to the improving last season. We managed happy when I am on my bike. I hope everybodyeverybody hhowow is motmotoro sport in nology startup companies, told Verstappen, whom he dubbed Britain’s most successful driver Rosberg said he had to pionship to be just as exciting. We QMMF’s training programme to groom championship,” Al Remaihi added. lap times we did not expect on a stock we can do better. I feel I can be better Qatar:Qatar: MasMashelhe Al Naimi an event in London organised “the crazy Dutchman”, Ros- and a four times world cham- show total dedication to win cannot wait for the start of the 2017- youngsters was making an profound “We are bringing everybody to a bike. We had a clean competition and as I used just one tyre. I want to thank by Wired magazine. berg cited the 20-year-old pion in Mexico last Sunday, the title. He hired a mental 18 Championship and this is the perfect impact on new riders. higher level. We believe these guys can it was very close.” the QMMF and the LCSC for their “I’m a firm believer that triple race winner as an goes against that narrative, trainer and learned to simplify venue for it,” Al Mannai said. “Last year the competition level deliver and rest of their colleagues will Al Sulaiti, who featured in the support.” genetics are quite a big part of example. however, as someone with no life, practising meditation to this...I would probably say 66 “His dad (Jos) was a suc- family background in motor bring greater clarity and focus percent genetics, 33 percent cessful driver too and now his racing. to his racing. QATAR SUPERSTOCK 600 CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR: Official Practice: December 8-9 Round 1: December 15-16 Round 2: February 2-3, 2018 Round 3: February 16-17, 2018 Round 4: March 15-17, 2018 Round 5: April 6-7, 2018

Saeed Al Sulaiti (left) and Mashel Al Naimi (right) at the Losail International Circuit. 26 SPORT SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017

Qatar Shooting and Archery Olympic Cup: Nasser tops in Skeet event

Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah, winner in the Skeet event at the Qatar Shooting and Archery Olympic Cup, poses for a picture with second placed Sayed (left) and third place winner Rashid during the victory ceremony at the Losail Shooting Range yesterday. Right: Youth winners in the Skeet event pose for a picture with officials of Qatar Shooting and Archery Association.

Kiradech and Lowry England fight off Lebanon share Turkish lead

Sydney Antalya, Turkey AFP AFP

ngland wore down Leba- hailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Ireland’s non for their first win at Shane Lowry share a two-shot lead head- the Rugby League World Ting into the final round of the Turkish Cup while New Zealand Airlines Open in Antalya. and Tonga set up an explo- Neither player dropped a shot on Saturday Esive showdown with victories with Kiradech signing for a five-under par 66 and yesterday. Lowry a six-under 65 to move to 14-under par in England downed Brad Fittler’s the $7 million (6 million euros) event on the Regnm Lebanon 29-10 in Sydney in a match Carya course. marred by a biting allegation lodged Three players share third place on 12-under by Lebanon’s skipper Robbie Farah par -- Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and England’s against England winger Jermaine Justin Rose, who both shot a seven-under par 64, McGillvary in the second half. along with Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, the first McGillvary was placed on report and second round leader who posted a disappoint- for allegedly biting Farah’s arm after ing 73. Farah made an official complaint “I am very pleaed to come from five strokes on-field. behind at the start of my round to be at the top of Wayne Bennett’s team led early the leaderboard,” said Kiradech, who has his eyes after a try by centre Kallum Watkins on the $1.6m first prize. before Lebanon hit back with a Farah The affable Thai golfer has enjoyed three wins grubber kick leading to Nick Kassis on the European Tour and while runner-up last pouncing on the loose ball to level month in the Italian Open he has not tasted suc- New Zealand’s Sam Cane (left) runs away from Barbarians’ New Zealand full-back George Bridge to score at 6-6. cess since winning twice in 2015, first in China The prospect of a possible a try during the international rugby union match between Barbarians and New Zealand at Twickenham and then later that year for a first time on Euro- boilover soon dissipated when Eng- in south west London, yesterday. pean soil in Scotland. land scored three tries in eight Kiradech, however, is clearly benefitting from minutes, setting up England’s Hamilton. The star-studded Tongans in the lead up to the match, the play- ever suffered by a Scotland team. two big decisions this season: firstly to begin work- 16-point advantage going into the remain unbeaten after they put 50 ers calmed tension when they “We worked on playing smart, ing with the renowned Peter Cowen, long-time break. points on Scotland last week and hugged and joined in prayer before playing through the middle and off- coach to 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson; Lebanon can make the quarter- have already qualified for the last kick off and the match was played loading opportunities and the boys and secondly dropping 18kg from a high of 108kg. finals out of Pool A if England down eight along with New Zealand. in a lively atmosphere. New Zea- got happy a few times,” man-of- The third round was also the occasion of his winless France in Perth next Tonga were in control at 26-6 land’s classy off-loading proved too the-match Roger Tuivasa-Sheck father’s birthday and Kiradech celebrated by weekend. midway through the second half but much for a hapless Scotland as they said. arranging a number of fellow Tour colleagues, Tonga set up a combustible Pool the Samoans closed the gap to eight ran in 14 tries in a commanding 74-6 After a slow start, New Zealand including Stenson who is his father’s idol, to extend B showdown with New Zealand next points with two converted tries victory in Christchurch. hit top gear in the 10th minute when birthday wishes. week when they held off fast-finish- before Manu Ma’u scored three min- The Kiwis pulled off an amazing they started a run of three tries in six “I asked five top players this morning if they ing Samoa to take the utes from time to secure the outcome 40 off-loads, with Martin Taupau minutes, and they went on to score would let me video a message and I especially much-anticipated clash of the Pacific for Tonga. After a week of street vio- and Nelson Asofa-Solomona prom- six tries in the first half and eight in have to thank Henrik, Justin Rose, Ian Poulter and island heavyweights 32-18 in lence involving fans from both sides inent, to inflict the heaviest defeat the second. Nicolas Colsaerts,” Kiradech said. Al Shaqab line up fun activities at Global Champions Tour

The Peninsula held for the duration of the LGCT from 4 to 6 pm for chil- l Shaqab has added a new dren aged between 4 to 10 years. dimension to the 2017 Al Shaqab has also tied up with ALongines Global Cham- Bedaya to support local Qatari pions Tour (LGCT) —which will entrepreneurs opportunities to be held from November 9 to 11 sell and promote local products by including fun-filled recrea- and services in the form of tional activities targeted at savoury food and beverage out- family audiences. lets and outdo or cafes. Thus, beyond attracting the This year’s event will be equestrian enthusiasts, LGCT particularly special for Al Doha will not only feature world Shaqab, which is marking the class show jumping competi- 25th anniversary of the prestig- tion, but the Al Shaqab arena ious, cutting-edge equestrian will be transformed into day full facility. To celebrate the auspi- of activities to cater to every cious anniversary there will be member of the family. a special program during the Tailored especially for fam- GCT competition on November ilies and children, a line-up of 10 at 5:45 pm. In addition Al activities such as pony rides, Shaqab, a member of the Qatar jumping castles, horse riding Foundation, will host national simulator, face painting and riders who have the opportu- roaming magician are some of A section of the crowd during an equestrian event at the Al Shaqab Arena. Al Shaqab has added a new dimension to the nity to compete alongside their the offerings at this year’s LGCT. 2017 Longines Global Champions Tour -- which will be held from November 9 to 11-- by including fun-filled recreational country’s heroes such as Olym- And, just like Doha, the old activities targeted at family audiences. pians Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al and the new exist side-by-side Thani and Bassem Hassan as areas have also been set aside both old and modern activities. artist Juan Arel Ruiz Contino. Institute of Arts in Boston, he has held personal and col- Mohammed, as well as the for Qatari traditional games as One of the highlights of the fun Contino, a graduate of the United States. His works are in lective exhibitions in Qatar, majority of the top international well as virtual reality sets which activity is an art workshop con- higher Institute of Arts in Cuba, private collections in many Germany Portugal, Algeria and show jumpers from around the will allow children to experience ducted by renowned Cuban also studied at the higher countries around the world and Tunisia. The workshops will be world. SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017 SPORT 27 James dazzles in Cavaliers win

NBA RESULTS LA Lakers 124 Brooklyn 112 Boston 101 Oklahoma City 94 Denver 95 Miami 94 Toronto 109 Utah 100 New Orleans 99 Dallas 94 San Antonio 108 Charlotte 101 Houston 119 Atlanta 104 NY Knicks 120 Phoenix 107 Detroit 105 Milwaukee 96 Chicago 105 Orlando 83

Philadelphia 121 Indiana 110 Cleveland 130 Washington 122

Washington his hometown Cavaliers. “I want seems to bring out the best in AFP to be as complete a basketball James. In February, James banked player as I can be. home the game-tying three point our-time league MVP “Even rounding 33 I feel I am shot in the closing seconds of reg- LeBron James poured in in the best shape of my career. I am ulation and Cleveland went on to 57 points for the second- out here, I might as well keep get- beat Washington 140-135 in over- best scoring performance ting better.” time in a contest that some of his career as the Cleve- Derrick Rose added 20 points considered to be the league’s 2016- Fland Cavaliers busted out of a for the Cavaliers, who lost three 17 regular-season game of the year. slump with a 130-122 win over the games during their four-game los- Wall and Beal told reporters Washington Wizards. ing skid by double digits. earlier on Friday that they believe James also delivered 11 Both teams were struggling Cleveland purposefully dropped rebounds and seven assists on Fri- heading into Friday’s game as the out of the top seed in the playoffs day for the Cavaliers, who shot 56 Wizards only added to their woes, last season to avoid facing Wash- percent from the field and having now lost four of their last ington in the early rounds. improved to 4-5 on the season. five. James played like someone The 32-year-old American Bradley Beal scored 36 points who took that slight to heart. On sank 23 of 34 shots -- including two for Washington. John Wall had 13 Friday, he scored 24 points and three-pointers -- and made all nine points and 15 assists as the Wizards Cleveland shot 65.8 percent from of his free throw attempts in front shot 53.6 percent from the field. the field in the first half for a 74-66 of a crowd of 20,100 at the Capital James, who is in his 15th NBA lead. Elsewhere, Kyrie Irving fin- One Arena in the US capital. season, finished just four points shy ished with 25 points as the Boston “I don’t want to give myself a of his career-high 61 set in 2014 Celtics rallied from a double digit ceiling. I don’t want to cap myself,” against the Charlotte Bobcats. deficit to defeat the Oklahoma City said James, who recorded his first But there is also something Thunder 101-94 and extend their 50-point game since returning to about playing the Wizards that winning streak to seven games.

Josi, Predators Astros celebrate World Series win hold off Ducks

Chicago 5-3 in rematch AFP of West finals undreds of thousands of revellers poured into Anaheim HHouston’s streets on Fri- Reuters day to celebrate the baseball team’s first-ever World Series oman Josi scored one title win, just two months after goal and assisted on America’s fourth-largest city was Ranother as the Nash- hit with historic floods. ville Predators built a The celebration was tinged three-goal lead before hold- with uncertainty, as the team ing off the Anaheim Ducks said it had not decided about a 5-3 on Friday night in a potential White House visit, con- rematch of last season’s sidering its controversial Western Conference finals. occupant. Scott Hartnell, Matt Irwin Such a visit is traditional for and Viktor Arvidsson also a championship team, but Pres- scored for the Predators in the ident Donald Trump has had a first meeting between the testy relationship with sports fig- teams since Nashville won ures, including calling for the their 2016-17 playoff series in firing of protesting American six games to reach the Stanley football players who kneel dur- Cup Final. Pekka Rinne made ing the national anthem. 35 saves and P.K. Subban Trump also disinvited this added an empty-net goal with year’s NBA champions, the 18 seconds left. Golden State Warriors, when The Predators had lost players hesitated over a visit. four straight in Anaheim since Houston Astros centre fielder George Springer (4) talks to the crowd during the World Series championship parade and rally As the Astros celebrated their their previous victory on April win, countless fans lined the at Houston City Hall on Friday. 4, 2014. streets -- many clad in the team Antoine Vermette, Ham- colors of orange, navy blue and triumph over the Los Angeles Every waterway overflowed in were reports of long lines for The headliners were the pus Lindholm and Jakob white. Dodgers, bringing home a World the area’s intricate network of train and bus service to down- Astros team, lifting the World Silfverberg scored for the “What comes out of this Series trophy for the first time natural drainage into the Gulf of town -- with some unable to Series trophy as loud adulation Ducks, who cut it to 4-3 in the moving forward on the political since the team’s inception in Mexico. reach the parade in time. accompanied their ride atop fire third period after trailing by side, what we do or don’t do, 1962. Many Harvey victims are still Friday became an unofficial trucks and double-decker buses three late in the second. what sports has turned into rep- The games in the best-of- working to return to normalcy. city holiday, with many taking while confetti rained down upon Meanwhile, Connor resenting the country’s tone, will seven series featured dramatic Their damaged or destroyed the day off work and the school them. At the exuberant rally fol- McDavid had three assists and have to be decided in time,” team swings of momentum between homes and belongings have not district even canceling classes for lowing the parade, Mayor Edmonton handed New Jer- manager AJ Hinch told the two teams and breathtaking yet been replaced or rebuilt. the afternoon parade and rally Sylvester Turner alluded to the sey its first road loss of the reporters. rallies -- energizing the Texas “This is meant to be,” Har- at the city hall. city’s recent travails and the season. “We’re not going to allow city still recovering from the vey victim Joe Eaton Jr told local The festive parade snaked importance of the championship Drake Caggiula, Ryan anything to polarize this moment destruction of Hurricane television station KHOU. “We are through downtown streets with victory. Strome, Oscar Klefbom, Milan that we want to celebrate with Harvey. all champions now. We are root- floats, politicians waving at “When the city needed a Lucic, Leon Draisaitl and our fans.” Two months ago, Harvey ing for one thing.” crowds and the University of pickup, when the city needed Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored The Astros won the coveted brought record-setting flooding So many turned out for the Houston marching band blast- someone to elevate us to another for the Oilers. They snapped Major League Baseball champi- to Houston, killing 88 people and celebration that public transpor- ing music. One group marched level, the Houston Astros stepped a two-game skid to improve onship title Wednesday, in a 5-1 submerging vast swaths of land. tation was overwhelmed. There with giant inflated baseballs. in,” Turner said. to 4-7-1. 28 SPORT SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER 2017

WorldSBK: Qatar Round Laps 17 = 91.460 Km - Race 2 1. Jonathan Rea (Kawasaki Racing) Time: 33:39.98 2. Unstoppable Rea rules as Chaz Davies (Racing Ducati Panigale) +1.961s 3. Alex Lowes (Crescent Yamaha) R1 +4.185s 4. Michael van der Mark (Yamaha)+5.843s 5. Xavi Fores (Barni Ducati Panigale) R +8.987s 6. Marco Melandri (Racing Ducati Panigale) +14.675s 7. Eugene Laverty (Aprilia) +16.251s Mahias grabs world title 8. Sylvain Guintoli (Kawasaki Puccetti) +19.675s 9. Leon Camier (Agusta RC) +20.607s 10. Roman Ramos (Kawasaki Go Eleven) +20.628s Rizwan Rehmat The Peninsula WorldSSP: Qatar Round orld Champion Laps 15 = 80.700 Km - Race 2 Jonathan Rea 1. L. Mahias (GRT Yamaha Official Worldssp Team) last night 30:39.805 produced his 2. J. Cluzel (CIA Landlord Insurance Honda) +0.023 second suc- 3. K. Sofuoglu(Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +3.788 Wcessive win at the floodlit-Losail 4. F. Caricasulo (GRT Yamaha Official Worldssp Team) International Circuit (LIC) to +3.845 wrap up the final round of the 5. A. West (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) +7.946 WorldSBK Championship with 6. N. Tuuli (Kallio Racing) +8.112 convincing back-to-back wins. 7. S. Morais (Kallio Racing) +8.336 The Kawasaki rider, who 8. L. Stapleford (Profile Racing) +10.435 started the second race of the final round from 9th spot on the grid, weaved his way through a clutch of riders to seal his 16th win of the season. The 30-year-old, who arrived in Qatar seeking his first career win at LIC, ended the week with two wins, the sec- ond one coming ahead of long-time rival Chaz Davies and Alex Lowes in a time of 33’39.718. British rider Davies (Aruba. it Racing - Ducati) was 1.961 British WorldSBK World champion Jonathan Rea poses for photographs with his sons Jake seconds slower than Rea while and Tyler after winning the second successive race at the floodlit-Losail International Circuit compatriot Lowes (Pata Yamaha Official WorldSBK (LIC) yesterday. RIGHT: French rider Lucas Mahias celebrates on Podium after bagging his Team) was 4.185 seconds off the maiden World SuperSport title. day’s best mark. Dutchman Michael Van Der savour it with my family and my the spectacular race in a bike into the paddock area for Mark (Pata Yamaha Official team,” Rea said. photo-finish. the final presentation. WorldSBK Team) finished in Earlier in the evening, Sofuoglu - despite not 100 “It feels really incredible. I fourth spot (5.843 seconds French star Lucas Mahias sealed percent for the season’s final thought this was impossible to behind) while Spain’s Xaxi a spectacular win to bag his round - wrapped up his cam- do. I started racing when I was Fores (BARNI Racing Team) maiden World SuperSport title. paign in 2017 with a third-place 10 years old and to win this feels completed the top five riders. Mahias, the Yamaha star, finish and a huge smile. The great. I couldn’t have imagined Forex was 8.987 seconds needed to finish 11th or above Kawasaki star was 3.788 sec- of winning the world title,” behind Rea. to stop arch-rival Kenan onds adrift of the time set by Mahias said. “I am happy with my week Sofuoglu from winning the Mahias. Sofuoglu suffered a tri- “It was a crazy race. Some- in Qatar,” Rea said last night. “It world title and did so in style. ple hip fracture at Magny-Cours times I pushed and sometimes was a matter of keeping the bike Turkish sensation Sofuoglu just a little over a month ago. I couldn’t. But I was good on the straight and fast. There were no (Kawasaki Puccetti Racing) fin- Federico Caricasulo of Italy bike. I was good in the mind and mistakes this week,” the star ished the 15-lap race in third also ended with a smile as he it was my day,” he added. “I was from Northern Ireland added. spot, a notch behind France’s finished in 4th spot on his a little scared in the straight as “I have had some great compe- Jules Cluzel (CIA Landlord Yamaha YZF R6. Caricasulo was the engine was not very fast. tition this week. It was fun to Insurance Honda). 3.845 seconds slower than the The last lap was very good,” he complete a good week,” he said. Mahias showed pace and time set by Mahias. added. “I want to thank my it was the last race. I gave some win the race but I took my time “I don’t have words to purpose as he clinched the Australian veteran Anthony team and my family,” the good show and enjoyed myself,” to get the rhythm as I was kind describe. I just want to thank my SuperSport world title under West - who has raced the cir- French star said with a smile. Frenchman said. “I came sec- of scared of every rider. family, my team and most of all lights ahead of Cluzel and cuit for a few years in recent Second-placed Cluzel was ond and there were no crashes “Podium is good. I am sec- my rivals Chaz and Tom (Sykes) Sofuoglu. times - grabbed the fifth spot on pleased with his performance. today. That was good.” ond in the championship. It has because they pushed me to The Yamaha rider, who his Kawasaki ZX-6R. “I don’t know if you saw the Third-placed Sufuoglu said been a good year and I am improve, gave me motivation started the final race of the sea- West was 7.946 seconds race or not but I tried every- he enjoyed his races in 2017. happy,” he said. to work better, to get smarter. son from pole position, sealed behind Mahias on the 5.37km thing. I didn’t really feel great “Today I am very happy. I Qatar riders Saeed Al Sulaiti I’ve really enjoyed it. his win in a time of 30 minutes circuit. on the front wheel. I just tried didn’t lose the championship as - who started the race from 18th “I now want to get back 39.805 seconds. After the race, Mahias put not to make any mistakes as I there were so many races this spot on the grid - and Mashel Al home and enjoy the moment Cluzel finished the 15-lap on a specially-designed t-shirt merely tried to finish the race season that I could not start,” Naimi - who was in the 22nd because these times don’t come race just .023 seconds behind with words ‘world champion strongly,” Cluzel said. Sofuoglu said. “I am just happy. place - could not complete the along every day. I want to Mahias as the two riders ended 2017’ emblazoned on it, rode the “I kept on pushing because There was potential for me to race due to technical issues.

Brazilian Formula One Massa to retire from F1 for second time driver Felipe Massa of Williams celebrates on the podium after London His last victory was at the 2008 finishing third at the Reuters FELIPE MASSA Brazilian Grand Prix, where he won Formula One circuit new fans for his dignified and sport- in Monza, Italy in this razilian driver Felipe Massa ing response when Hamilton seized announced his retirement Country: Brazil the title by taking fifth place on the September 2014 file from Formula One at the end Date of birth: April 25, 1981 last corner of the last lap. photo . B of the season, and for the second Place of birth: Sao Paulo, In 2009, he suffered a severe time, yesterday. Brazil head injury and was in a coma for The 36-year-old had been due F1 statistics several days after being hit on the to retire last season but was recalled helmet in Hungarian Grand Prix by the Williams team after Valtteri Team: Williams qualifying by a spring shed from the Bottas left for Mercedes following Podiums: 41 Brawn of compatriot Rubens the surprise retirement of 2016 Points: 1160 Barrichello. world champion Nico Rosberg. Grands Prix entered: 268 Massa joined Williams in 2014, After an emotional send-off in Highest race finish: 1 (x11) helping the former champions to Brazil last year, Massa was back in Highest grid position: 1 take third place in the construc- the cockpit a few months later. tors’ championship that year and “As you know, last year I in 2015. decided to announce my retirement categories,” he said. The Brazilian “It has been an absolute pleas- in Formula One but because of the Grand Prix, the penultimate round ure to work with him,” said deputy Williams request I decided to do of the season, is next week with Abu principal Claire Williams in a team another season,” the former Ferrari Dhabi ending the season on Nov. 26. statement. driver said in a video message Williams have yet to announce “We are especially grateful that posted on social media. their 2018 lineup, with several can- he agreed to postpone his retire- “But this time will be my last didates in the frame including ment from Formula One for a year, race in Brazil of Formula One and Poland’s Robert Kubica. Canadian after Valtteri joined Mercedes, my last race in Abu Dhabi,” he rookie teenager Lance Stroll is sure which demonstrated the depth of added, thanking his family, fans and to stay, however. the relationship we built during our sponsors and making clear he was Massa won 11 races with Ferrari time together. not retiring from racing entirely. and finished runner-up to Lewis “We appreciate that it wasn’t “I really hope that you can sup- Hamilton, now a four-times world an easy decision for him to return, port me next year or maybe in the champion, by a single point in the after having such an emotional future in other races and in other 2008 season. send-off at the end of last year.”