SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 2015

BELGIUM: Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany steers his car during the first free practice at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. —AP Rosberg clocks fastest despite tyre blowout

BELGIUM: Nico Rosberg was fastest for Mercedes in fray several corners before. Rosberg, whose wife is time and keep pushing,” Hamilton told the BBC. “Red promptly changed its status from ‘Nope’ to ‘Yes!’ and Belgian Grand Prix practice yesterday despite an due to give birth to their first child next week, kept Bull are looking closer this weekend than they have reset the clock for the next update. explosive, high-speed tyre blowout that had the the car on the track but the session was stopped for for a while, so it should be close.” Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, a four-times winner at German wrestling to keep the car out of the barriers. marshals to pick up debris scattered across the track. The drivers had got back to work in predictable Spa, responded to being given a new contract for After lapping fastest in bright and sunny morning The red flags came out again shortly after practice fashion in the opening session, with Venezuelan 2016 by lapping fourth and fifth fastest in the respec- conditions, Rosberg went quicker in the afternoon resumed when Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson pitched his Pastor Maldonado crashing his Lotus while champi- tive sessions. before flirting with disaster. Sauber into the barriers. ons Mercedes set the pace on the longest circuit on Four-times world champion team mate Sebastian “That was definitely not fun,” he told reporters “I hit the wall quite hard, sorry,” he told his engi- the calendar. Rosberg’s best morning time was one Vettel was fifth and 10th. Belgian-born Dutch teenag- after escaping unscathed from the heartstopping neers over the radio. The order at the top was the minute 51.082 seconds, despite an engine problem er Max Verstappen, the closest to a home driver the incident in which the right rear tyre shredded in sec- same in both sessions, with Rosberg ahead of team limiting his track time, with a 1:49.385 in the after- local fans have to cheer on this weekend, was sev- onds as he approached Blanchimont at full throttle. mate and championship leader Lewis Hamilton with noon. enth fastest for Toro Rosso in the morning. McLaren “It was not a nice experience. A 360-degree spin Red Bull’s Australian Daniel Ricciardo third fastest. Maldonado, living up to the unfortunate again struggled, despite upgrades to the Honda at 200 mph is not something you expect at all. Luckily Hamilton, who reported no problems with his car, ‘Crashtor’ moniker that has kept his mechanics busy, engine, with Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button I did not hit the wall. I didn’t feel anything before, leads Rosberg by 21 points at the midpoint to the brought out the red flags after 50 minutes when he languishing well down the field and hit by heavy grid there was no warning. There will be a big analysis. I season with Belgium the first race after the August lost control at Malmedy and smashed into the barri- penalties for engine changes. Alonso was given a 30- was feeling quick before then, comfortable.” break. “The car was feeling good. Nico was quick but ers. A website chronicling the Venezuelan’s unhappy place drop, while Button was demoted 25 places, Video evidence suggested the tyre had started to otherwise I really enjoyed the day. I’ll try and find the status (http://hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com/) ensuring both will start last today. — Strong field threatens France chase English revenge in

Froome’s Tour dream PARIS: France will be hunting for a revenge back and Toulouse lock win over England when the two rivals meet the only other two players to MADRID: will face a Froome. “It will certainly be a very declaring the Italian “unsportsman- in their second World Cup warm-up match retain their spots. , Guilhem star-studded field led by Colombian competitive race given the strong like” for an attack as Froome suffered a in Paris today. Stuart Lancaster’s men have Guirado and form the front as he aims to become field-which will be great for the fans to mechanical problem. won the last two meetings-both at row with Stade Francais lock Pascal Pape just the third rider to win the Tour de watch. The competition will be tough The 2014 champi- Twickenham including last weekend’s 19- captaining the side after returning from a France and the Vuelta a Espana in the and this is bike racing so anything can ons forms part of what team manager 14 success, with France eager to repeat the thigh strain. and Bernard Le same year. Indeed, defending champi- happen, but we have an excellent Giuseppe Martinelli has described as outcome of their last Paris encounter. Roux complete the back row alongside on is the only one of team and we’re ready to get the race the “strongest ever” Astana team Gael Fickou’s late try downed England Picamoles with regular captain Thierry the top five from this year’s Tour de started.” which also includes Fabio Aru and 26-24 at the in the opening Dusautoir rested after injury. France not to take part in the gruelling Movistar’s dual star strategy of , who finished second and game of the 2014 Six Nations-a result which -who scored two of three-week tour around Spain as for- including both Quintana and Valverde third respectively in the Giro d’Italia ultimately cost the 2003 world champions. France’s three tries in that Six Nations win mer winners Vincenzo was criticised during the Tour despite earlier this year. American Tejay Van Outgoing France coach Philippe Saint- over England last year-comes onto the Nibali and Quintana’s Movistar team- both making the podium as the for- Garderen could also figure in the fight Andre, who will make way for Guy Noves wing alongside . mate also eye vic- mer’s relentless attacks on the final for the general classification as he after the World Cup, has rung the changes England, who last won at the Stade de tory in Madrid come September 13. two stages couldn’t compensate for returns after having to withdraw from — 12 in total-as Les Bleus look to avoid a France in the 2012 Six Nations, have also A late surge by Quintana couldn’t the time he lost in the first week. the Tour de France when lying third in third successive defeat against their bitter made wholesale changes, opting for a near prevent Froome from claiming the However, Movistar team manager the standings due to headaches. rivals. First-choice centres Mathieu first-choice starting 15, with coach Stuart second Tour de France title of his Eusebio Unzue defended the decision The race gets underway with a Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana are back in Lancaster keen to freshen things up. “There career last month and the Briton will to again not name an outright team time trial from Puerto Banus to midfield, while Toulon club-mates Frederic is now an opportunity for those not be backed by another strong Team leader of the team. Marbella on Saturday. Michalak and Sebastien Tillous-Borde are involved or who didn’t get much opportu- Sky line-up as he attempts to win the “They have both had successful Thereafter, there are eight moun- paired at half-back. nity from the bench to put a marker down Vuelta for the first time after runners- seasons and completed their pro- tain finishes to favour the better “They (Michalak and Tillous-Borde) are and build on that performance,” said head up finishes in 2012 and 2014. grammes without any unforseen climbers, but a 39km individual time used to playing together and I expect them coach Stuart Lancaster. “France were very Frenchmen problems,” he said. “There is always a trial in Burgos in the final week could to get the team playing just as well as good last weekend and will be even (1963) and (1978) are pressure that exists to do well, but we hold the key to victory. Morgan (Parra) and Francois (Trinh-Duc) stronger at home and this will be a big test the only riders to have previously won hope to get to every stage in good The final stage will return to its did last week,” said Saint-Andre. “Todayy’s but these guys have been working hard for both the Tour de France and the condition and they are both preparing traditional procession around the match will be even more intense than last the opportunity and are desperate to go Vuelta in the same year. for the Vuelta with a lot of excite- streets of Madrid after a final stage week,” added the former Gloucester and out and perform,” added Lancaster. “I have great memories from this ment.” Nibali also got stronger at the time trial in Santiago de Compostela Sale Sharks boss, who will cut his squad Only Gloucester wing Jonny May retains race so I’m pleased to be back. I’ve had Tour progressed to finish fourth and last year to mark the 800th anniver- from 36 to 31 players on Sunday. his place from last weekend with Mike a good rest after the Tour and now I’m went head-to-head with Froome on a sary of St Francis of Assisi’s visit to Giant Toulouse number 8 Louis Brown-who’s recovered from concussion- ready for my next challenge,” said couple of occasions with the Sky man the city. — AFP Picamoles keeps his place at the base of the and Jack Nowell joining him in the back French scrum, with Clermont-bound full- three. — AFP