Thursday, June 23, 2011
Sports World |
- Vettel Can Continue To Blaze A Trail In European Grand Prix
- Woods withdrawal leads to Open fears
- Contador has strong Spanish support at Saxo Bank
| Vettel Can Continue To Blaze A Trail In European Grand Prix Posted: 23 Jun 2011 08:14 AM PDT Despite having won six of the eight races and been second in the other two, there are many predicting that this week's European F1 Grand Prix in Valencia will see the beginning of the end of Sebastian Vettel's and Red Bull's reign as the kingpins of the 2011 F1 season. This is surely nonsense! The reason why that prediction is nonsense is simple; Vettel has a 60 point lead in the Drivers Championship while his Red Bull team are 69 points clear in the Constructors. The German world champion has qualified in pole position in every race bar one and even then he was on the front row in second place. Admittedly there are 12 more races still to go and it is possible that Jenson Button, who is nearest to Vettel in the F1 Leaderboard, and co, can win further races. Additionally there is proof to suggest that McLaren and Ferrari are getting quicker as the season unfolds, but to bridge such a gap is surely beyond them. Even if Red Bull lose some of their early season dominance it is almost impossible to see Vettel and his team mate, Mark Webber not achieving regular podium finishes. This, at least in Vettel's case will be more than ample to secure him and the team top spot by the season's end. It is agreed that the European Grand Prix could play a significant role in the long term, but it should not be forgotten that Vettel won here last year after claiming 'pole' and Webber started on the grid in second. It is also agreed that the Red Bull team will feel more pressure after the last three races which has seen their chief rivals take closer order. That pressure possibly led to the mistake made by Vettel two weeks ago in Montreal when he lost the race on the last lap to Jenson Button. Qualifying will be more important than usual in this race as Valencia, traditionally, has been a very difficult track for overtaking. That said the double DRS (Drag Reduction System) which will be in use in Valencia will allow for easier overtaking, as it did in Montreal, but it will not necessarily make up for a decent position on the grid. Both McLaren and Ferrari will be happier than Red Bull with the double DRS but they will be even happier if any of their drivers can start from 'pole' for which the betting market makes Vettel a long odds on favourite to achieve. If Vettel makes 'Pole' then Vettel takes the chequered flag on Sunday, it is as simple as that and he is favourite to do so in the latest F1 odds for this race! Besides, even f he doesn't he will almost certainly claim a top three finish, giving him sufficient points to take a further significant step to the Championship.  |
| Woods withdrawal leads to Open fears Posted: 23 Jun 2011 02:02 AM PDT Tiger Woods' participation in this year's Open Championship looks to be in real doubt, after the former world number one was forced to withdraw from another tournament. The 14-time major winner has been sidelined for five weeks, when he pulled out of the Players Championship after just nine holes. Woods had suffered knee and achilles injuries during the third round of the Masters back in April and on medical advice, was forced to take a break. The 35-year-old had to sit out the US Open but had previously stated that he was hopeful of being fit to take his place in the field at Royal St George's. Anyone looking at The Open odds will be keeping a close eye on his progress. But that prospect looks to be in real danger now following the news that he has withdrawn from the A&T National, which takes place in Pennsylvania from June 29. With around four weeks until the start of the Open, Woods remains optimistic about his chances of playing at Sandwich, even though he will obviously be short of practice and competitive action. According to his swing coach, Sean Foley, the pair of them have not worked together since the week of the Players at Sawgrass. On Twitter, the world number 17 wrote: "Doctor's orders: sitting out the #attnational. I'll be in Philly to support the event. Feeling stronger every day, but not 100%." Even though Woods has not won a tournament for 20 months, sections of the American media continue to refer to him as the world's top golfer and much will be made of a showdown with US Open winner Rory McIlroy.  |
| Contador has strong Spanish support at Saxo Bank Posted: 23 Jun 2011 01:40 AM PDT Defending champion Alberto Contador will have his usual Spanish alliances around him when he takes his place in next month's Tour de France in controversial circumstances. The three-time Tour de France champion will be there when the three-week race starts on July 2nd despite having a doping hearing hanging around his neck. Contador tested positive for clenbuterol during the final rest day of the 2010 Tour de France, but was then cleared by the Spanish cycling federation only for the International Cycling Union and the World Anti-Doping Agency to appeal. The Spaniard has to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but his hearing has been delayed until August, meaning he is free to race the 2011 Tour de France even knowing a ban would annul all his results since he failed the initial test. Those following the Tour de France best odds will have mixed feelings about this to say the least. Contador will be the main man for Saxo Bank in the race and he has his close friend Benjamin Noval and also the climbing excellence of Jesus Hernandez and Dani Navarro among his team-mates as he goes for a fourth Tour de France title. Anyone looking at the Tour de France promotions certainly won't be able to rule him out. Saxo Bank team manager Bjarne Riis has stated they have picked an "exceptionally strong team" that can aid Contador throughout the three-week race. He added: "It is no secret that we are in the race to win it, so our job has been to identify the rider group that will be able to give Alberto the best possible support through the three weeks." One of Contador's main rivals for the Tour de France title will be Andy Schleck and Leopard Trek manager Brian Nygaard has stated the Luxembourg rider impresses him as he prepares for the race. Schleck struggled at the Tour de Suiss but ultimately won the best climber green jersey and Nygaard stated he saw some "very good" numbers for his team's lead rider.  |
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