Spensley lands his hat-trick

He had already scored over a mile and a half in September and October and the four-year-old continued his upward curve with a comfy success in the Office Christmas Parties At Kempton Park Handicap.

His last two wins had come off the back of far from clear passages but Kieren Fallon was happy to settle the James Fanshawe-trained gelding in mid-division.

Stepped up in class, there was no trouble in running this time, although there was a slight moment of worry for favourite backers as Alsadaa and Ian Mongan made the most of an easy lead.

The pair still held a clear advantage three out but when Fallon asked Spensley the response was immediate and he was able to ease his mount at the line for a half-length verdict over Iron Condor.

"Unfortunately there are no more races for him at Kempton this year which is a pity," said Fanshawe.

"The key to him is not running him on soft ground and getting the trip right. Kieren gets on with him really well.

"He's grown up an awful lot from the sweaty horse that had no confidence in the summer to the one that's really got the hang of things now.

"I'm going to have a think and see where we go with him."

Towering Storm (20-1) overcame a slow start to make a winning debut in impressive style in division two of the Win A Kia Venga At kempton.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.

A steady gallop allowed jockey Steve Donohoe to make up the lost ground without taking too much out of the Gerard Butler-trained youngster.

However, he still had plenty to do in the straight as If You Whisper made his bid on the far side to hit the front a furlong out.

Towering Storm hit full stride to pounce 50 yards out and score by three-quarters of a length.

"He's been going well at home, but I thought with the Richard Hannon horse (Sinfonico) and the William Haggas horse (Groomed) he might have to play third fiddle to those today. He had other ideas," said Butler.

"I thought the lack of experience would be his undoing. No complaints and the horses are running very well at the moment

"We'll leave him alone for a time. We'll see what the handicapper does and take the direction from there."

Donohoe completed a 90-1 double when steering home Final Drive (100-30) to victory in the digibet.com Handicap.

He steered the John Ryan-trained top-weight through the field to lead inside the final furlong and score comfortably by two and a quarter lengths from Hip Hip Hooray.

Cheery Cat followed up a Wolverhampton win to score for a second time this month in the hands of 7lb claimer Matthew Cosham.

The 2-1 favourite, trained by John Balding, got the better of the pace-setting River Bounty by a length.

"He did it nicely and has probably found himself. Matthew gave him a cracking ride. He does as he's told and I'll put him on him again," said Balding.

"He's had a couple of quick runs and normally he takes a fortnight between runs. We'll see how he comes out of it in the next couple of days."

Echo Ridge (7-2) got up in the last few strides to deny Fairy Familiar in the EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

The Ralph Beckett-trained newcomer was only fifth turning for home but ate up the ground under Jim Crowley to lead close home and score by three-quarters of a length. The favourite Palais Glide was two lengths back in third.

Jo Crowley's Amerthyst (8-1) came with a late rattle for Dane O'Neill to short head Top Diktat in division one of the Win A Kia Venga At kempton.co.uk Median Auction Maiden Stakes.Justify Full

Source: http://www.skysports.com

Brunei Good Enough For Final

By Yee Chun Leong

Bandar Seri Begawan - There is plenty resting on the shoulders of Pg Mohd Nasir Pg Anak Ja'afar, but he has what it takes to make it into the final of the equestrian Individual Jumping event on Wednesday.

At least that is what Hj Muhd Zamri DP Hj Hamdani, Brunei's chef de mission, thinks - keeping his faith in the Bruneian athlete and saying that Pg Mohd Nasir is capable of taking on 38 other riders from 13 countries to qualify for the Asian Games final at the Guangzhou Equestrian Venue.

"Hopefully they (Pg Mohd Nasir and his horse) can go through to the final but it will all depend on the rider. But based on their achievements, I believe that they should have no problems," said Hj Muhd Zamri, in an interview with The Brunei Times, yesterday.

"The jumps are set at a bar of 1.45 metres but the horse (Rudolf Z) is more than capable of jumping 1.5m," he added.

Pg Mohd Nasir's trusty steed, Rudolf Z, the 1 1-year-old Zangersheide gelding, underwent the "1st Horse Inspection" yesterday and then continued with the "Training Competition" without any problems.

The second session was for the riders to get accustomed to the match venue, which will be used for the two qualifying sessions today.

"There were no problems with the inspection and the horse is fit for competition," said Hj Muhd Zamri, who is also the vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC).

"The jumps were fine during training and they managed to complete the track within the time frame set at 90 seconds. I hope that they will be able to do better and make it through all barriers in the actual competition today (Monday)," he added.

"The biggest difference would be the crowds coming in and hopefully he will be in control," continued the Deputy Director (II) of the Department of Youth and Sports.

Even the rider himself, Pg Mohd Nasir, backed up the statements made by the chef de mission.

"The horse is jumping great and everything seems to be in order," said Pg Mohd Nasir yesterday.

"I'm really happy with Rudolf and we're working great together.

He's in top form," added the Brunei rider.

Asked if he was confident of making it into the final, the 21-year-old Bruneian replied: "I feel really good about it and hopefully we can make it into the final."

The first qualifying session will start at 9am while the second will be held at 2pm.

Points collected from the respective qualifying rounds will determine whether Pg Mohd Nasir and Rudolf Z will make the cut for the final round the day after.

The 2009 Merdeka Team Cup champion became the first Bruneian to compete in the equestrian event when he was chosen to represent the country during the 2007 SEA Games in Korat, Thailand. Coached by 2009 Belgian champion Lieven Debos and the Netherlands' David Molin for the past two years, Pg Mohd Nasir had been training in Belgium to prepare for the 16th Asian Games. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Dennis Wins BSB Golf Tournament

By James Kon

Bandar Seri Begawan - Dennis Koh captured the overall gross winner's trophy of the 40th Anniversary renaming of Bandar Brunei to Bandar Seri Begawan Golf Tournament after he finished two shots ahead of the field with 71 gross at the RBA Golf Club yesterday.

His nearest rival, On Sie Lu came in second place with 73 gross and Rijal Hj Kassim was third with 74 gross.

In the Division A category, Hj Azaman Daud was first with 37ocb followed closely by Khairul Kamis (37ocb), Rudy Yussof (37), Chu Vui Kiat (36ocb) and Ak Mukmin Abd Latif (36ocb).

The Division B winner was Abd Kadir bin Abd Ghani (38) followed by Hj Jalalludin Hj Ghazali (37ocb), Sanusi (37), Ahmad Munadi Khairi (36ocb) and Khairul Jamaluddin (36).

In Division C category, Captain Kadam Thapa scored 36 points to win first spot followed by Safrin Mohammad Noor (35ocb), Fung Ah Chan (35) and Yubaraj Tamang (34).

Col (Retired) Hj Abd Aziz Abdullah (37 points) was the winner in the Senior Points category followed by Hj Zainal Daud (35ocb), Yussof Daud (35ocb), Musa Hj Mahadi (35ocb) and Hj Momin Shawal (35),

For the VIP and Sponsor category, Hj Aziz Kassim was the winner with 37 points. Dato Paduka Sa Bali Abas (36ocb) was second followed Md Ali Tuah (36ocb), Chris Tay (36ocb) and Bahrin Md Noor (36).

For the novelty prizes, nearest to the Pin for Hole No 2 went to Hj Aedy, Aminuddin Hl Ali (Hole No 5), Rijal Hj Kassim (Hole No 12), Ajamain Hj Othman (Hole No 14) and Kadir Abd Ghani (Hole No 16).

The guest-of-honour, Dato Paduka Sa Bali bin Abas, the Permanent Secretary of Home Affairs presented the prizes to the winners. Also present was Pg Hj Mohammad Ali Bin Pg Hj Othman, Chairman of Municipal Board. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Karate Kids Eye Iran

Bandar Seri Begawan - Plans are in the works for Brunei to send the national karate-do team to train in Iran.

With four exponents, the team were the largest represented among the four sports that the country sent to the Nov 12-27 Guangzhou Asian Games in China.

But not only did they return empty-handed, they also failed to win a single match - hardly the kind of result the Department of Youth and Sports or the Brunei Karatedo Federation (Brukaf) were expecting.

One of the two exponents who saw action during the final day of the karate-do competition last Friday, Mainudin Hj Mohamad was the sole member of the quartet to have progressed to the next round of his event, the men's kumite -75kg class. However, the only reason he advanced to the quarter-finals was because his opponent had delivered an illegal kick which knocked him out - and he was unable to compete in the last-eight as a result.

In his daily report during the Games, the Brunei contingent's chef de mission Hj Muhd Zamri DP Hj Hamdani said that Mainudin needed to improve his strategy and tactics, especially in terms of psychology.

"Mental toughness is still lacking and needs to be worked on," said the Deputy Director (II) of the Department of Youth and Sports.

"In terms of technique, Mainudin needs to improve. He needs quality sparring partners that are experienced and it is proposed that he undergoes training in Iran," added the vice-president of the Brunei Darussalam National Olympic Council (BNOC).

Iran's karate-do team finished the 16th edition of the Games with two gold and two bronze medals, third in the standings behind Japan (two gold and four silver) and Malaysia (two gold, two silver and one bronze medal).

When interviewed yesterday national karate-do coach Hj Okhida Simangasing said that training in Iran was just one of the possibilities being looked at.

"This is one of the ideas we have in our preparation for the 2011 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games to be held in Indonesia," said the trainer.

This whole time we have only been training abroad in Indonesia. But it is better if we go to Iran or Japan, countries where the sport is at a higher level.

"Things like these are usually carried out between federation to federation, and national referee Hj Malai Jefferydean Hj Malai Mohammed, who was at the Asian Games as a referee, has already talked to his counterparts about such a stint.

"Now we are at the stage where we have to improve in terms of mental strength. We will see if the trip to Iran works out or not, and if it is successful we will look at other countries.

"The SEA Games is in November, but we have to start training now," said the Indonesian.

The lack of overseas competition was also identified as a reason for the team's uninspiring results in Guangzhou, with Hj Okhida stating that the Sultanate was lagging behind in terms of competition experience.

"Most of the other teams in the Asian Games had already been to many tournaments this year before Guangzhou - up to seven," he said.

"We only competed in one, the Indonesian Open (in Bali from Sept 24-26). Countries like Vietnam have gone to Europe where they have leagues ... But as you know, that is all dependent on budget.

"From what I have seen at the Asian Games, South Korea have really made a lot of progress and that is because their exponents have a lot of exposure," added Hj Okhida.

Brunei were also represented by two athletes in wushu and one each in equestrian and fencing in Guangzhou, but all failed to secure a podium finish.

The decision to train in Iran comes less than a week after Brunei and Laos signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sports, with the view of exchanging coaching expertise and information between the two Asean neighbours. The MoU also agreed to work on the exchange of sports officials and specialists, among others. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

Ruben Xaus to join Ten Kate Honda?

By Michael Guy

Spaniard Ruben Xaus is set to become the second rider in the Ten Kate Honda WSB team to ride alongside Brit Jonathan Rea in 2011. The 32 year old Spaniard is reported to have signed a deal this week that will see campaign the proven CBR1000RR.

Xaus, an 11 time WSB race winner and former title contender has had two tough seasons riding for the factory BMW squad alongside Troy Corser where he secured a best result of fifth. He last won a race in 2008 onboard the Sterilgarda Ducati at Misano.

Over recent weeks Ten Kate’s second rider has been the subject of endless speculation. The Dutch team were initially targeting former WSB champion James Toseland, but missed out on the chance to sign him when he elected to ride for the new BMW Motorrad Italia team.
Former MotoGP rider and current Moto2 man Alex De Angelis was also inline for the ride, but he has now confirmed that he will be staying in Moto2.

The Dutch team are expected to test at Portimao at the end of the month which will be Rea’s first ride back since undergoing surgery on his wrist he broke in Imola. It will also be Xaus’ first opportunity to acquaint himself with the Honda.

Casey Stoner: Winning harder for Rossi at Ducati

By Matthew Birt

Casey Stoner reckons competition in MotoGP is now so fierce that Valentino Rossi won’t be a consistent winner at Ducati.

When Rossi quit Honda to join Yamaha at the end of 2003, the Italian was instantly able to consistently fight for victories and won the title at his first attempt on a YZR-M1 machine in 2004.

But Stoner, who has made his own major career change in 2011 having left Ducati to join Honda, said: “I don't believe he's going to do the same amount of winning he did last time when he changed to Yamaha.

"The competition level is sky high. There are not many years when people could say the competition is a lot higher than what it is now and one mistake at the moment and it is game over.

"We'll have to wait and see what he is capable of doing on this bike but like me he has got a big challenge ahead of him.”

Stoner recently made an impressive factory Honda RC212V debut when he finished second quickest at the Valencia test earlier this month. Rossi was a lowly 15th on his much-hyped Ducati first ride.

Melandri on the pace in Valencia

By Michael Guy

Marco Melandri and Eugene Laverty concluded a successful one-day test at Valencia today with the Italian posting impressive lap times during his first ever ride on a Superbike.

Riding a black and white factory Yamaha R1 the 28 year old Italian set a competitive 1.34.5 on a race tyre before posting a fast 133.9 on a qualifier.

Melandri has spent his career racing prototypes having graduated from 125GP to 250GP and into MotoGP in a career that has already spanned 13 years. But despite having no racing experience on a production bike or Pirelli tyres he demonstrated an impressive pace.

Laverty spent the test riding a 2010 bike and a new 2011 R1 and set a 1.34.9 after making set-up changes to improve rear grip around the second gear constant radios corners of Valencia.

Speaking to MCN, Laverty said: “It’s been another good test. After riding the bike at Magny Cours I knew it was good so we didn’t want to go too far away from that.

“We did dome good work with the 2011 bike. It’s not a major difference to the 2010 bike and we spent the day calibrating the electronics so that when we get to Phillip Island for our test we’re going to be ready to go.”

For full insight into the test see MCN out Wednesday 17th November.

Scott Redding catches attention of Ducati

By Matthew Birt

Scott Redding is already being closely monitored by Ducati management after his stunning debut Moto2 campaign in 2010.

Ducati boss Vittoriano Guareschi spoke of his admiration for the 17-year-old after he claimed third place in Indianapolis and then a brilliant second behind experienced Italian Alex de Angelis in Australia.

Six front row starts in the last eight races caught the attention of Ducati talent spotters tracking young talent in the smaller Grand Prix classes.

Redding only recently penned a new two-year deal with the Belgium-based Marc VDS Racing squad but it is clear that he is already regarded as one of the hottest properties in the paddock.

Ducati’s Vittoriano Guareschi told MCN: “Ducati likes Scott a lot. He is very young and he has a lot of work to do but he is very fast.

"We will keep him an eye on him for the future that’s for sure. We are looking in Moto2 for the future. It’s important to start to look at the younger riders and he is one we have seen and been impressed with.”

Redding, who remains the youngest rider in history ever to win a Grand Prix, said the attention was flattering but he wouldn’t let it go to his head.

He said: “It is really flattering to know that people are watching me but I’m not going to get carried away. I’ve got to go my job and keep improving.

"I love the team I’m in and they are bringing me on leaps and bounds and everything is going amazing at the moment.”

Michelin planning MotoGP return in 2012?

By Matthew Birt

Michelin is plotting a shock return to the MotoGP world championship, MCN has learned.

The French factory hasn’t raced in MotoGP since the end of 2008 when the premier class switched to a controversial single tyre format.

Bridgestone was the only company to bid for the contract but rumours recently emerged that Michelin is contemplating a return, but only if competition is restored in MotoGP.

The current single tyre contract with Bridgestone expires at the end of 2011 and Michelin is understood to be willing to return in 2012 for the start of the new 1000cc era, as long as the Japanese factory remains. MCN understands former race boss Nicolas Goubert is back in the competition department at Michelin after a spell in America and is certain to spearhead a potential return.

A source told MCN: “There is a big interest from Michelin to be back, but they would only do so if there was competition. But the concern is that with competition it is going to cost a lot with one trying to outdo the other.”

A decision would have to be taken soon with several factories beginning testing of their 2012 prototypes in the coming months. None will want to test and develop on tyres they may not race.

Expect Rossi to be Competitive Immediately on the Ducati

With the big news finally out that Rossi is Red, talk will now turn to how competitive Valentino Rossi will be on the Ducati Desmosedici, a bike that only Casey Stoner has tamed in the 800cc era. A comparison to the situation with the Honda to Yamaha switch in 2004 indicates there is little to be concerned about.

The Ducati Desmosedici has been criticized in the racing media for being a one man bike, a machine that only Casey Stoner can race and win on (and not even him so far in 2010) whilst nearly ending the careers of other aspirants such as Loris Capirossi, Marco Melandri and Nicky Hayden.

Whilst it is true that all 20 of the Ducati victories in the 800cc era have come at the hand of Stoner (who is now Honda bound), this year significant revisions to the power delivery due to a change to a big bang firing order have tamed the beast somewhat.

This change has allowed Hayden to obtain far better results than last year even as Stoner has seemed to have struggled compared to his 2009 form (a 3 race sit out due to undiagnosed lactose intolerance notwithstanding).

However all of this pales as an issue when compared to what Valentino and Jeremy Burgess faced in 2004 when they left the title winning Honda V5 990cc RC211V to climb aboard the inline four Yamaha M1 which had only won 2 races in the entire 2 year MotoGP era, both of those in 2002 with Max Biaggi at the helm. Despite this apparent major setback, by the first race in South Africa in 2004, Rossi took victory on a revised bike that was still lacking in speed compared to the Honda.

We all know the history. That victory was just the first of 9 that year as he took the title on the Yamaha adding back to back titles on different machinery to his ever increasing list of achievements. He retained the title for Yamaha in 2005 before losing it for 2 seasons running (Hayden in 2006 and Stoner on the Ducati in 2007). He fought back however and was victorious once again in 2008 and 2009 and looked to be in a showdown with his Yamaha teammate, Jorge Lorenzo, this year until his crash during practice at Mugello made the title race a foregone conclusion.

All this to say that compared to the seemingly miraculous transformation of the Yamaha from dog to undeniably the best overall motorcycle racebike in the world, making the Ducati regularly competitive in his hands should be childs play.

The Ducati is already fast (although in 6 engine per season mode, not as fast as the Honda), has taken a world title (2007) and won 20 races. It is not hard to imagine Rossi being immediately competitive next year and going at it with Lorenzo for the title. Would you bet against it?

Nicky Hayden will be Grand Marshal at Indy Mile

Nicky Hayden will be the Grand Marshall of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile AMA Pro K&N Grand National Championship event on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Hayden, in Indianapolis to ride his Ducati Desmosedici GP10 at the Red Bull Indianapolis GP, will travel across town to the legendary Indy Mile at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to meet the thousands of dirt-track fans who will gather to watch the “Crown Jewel” of flat track motorcycle racing.

Hayden, 29, from nearby Owensboro, Kentucky is known worldwide as the “Kentucky Kid.” Hayden achieved his earlier career success on the dirt tracks of America. He is currently in his eighth season of the internationally acclaimed MotoGP World Championship, riding for Ducati. He made history when he won the world championship in MotoGP in just his fourth season in 2006.

At the Indy Mile, Hayden will find highly competitive Ducati brethren. In May of 2010, a Ducati-powered machine ridden by Joe Kopp won its first flat track mile ending seventeen years of Grand National Twins domination by Harley Davidson. The Lloyd Brothers Motorsports Ducati Flat Track Project first brought the Italian engine to the Lucas Oil Indy Mile in 2009 with Larry Pegram aboard. With Nicky Hayden’s appearance, Ducati has extra incentive to repeat the Joe Kopp triumph and go for a Grand National Twins win.

The announcement of Nicky Hayden becoming the Lucas Oil Indy Mile Grand Marshall is made in honor of Nicky’s outstanding motorcycle racing career. Riding since three years old, racing since five and winning fifteen amateur titles, Nicky made motorcycle racing his professional career in 1997. It was at the Indy Mile in 1999 when he picked up the prestigious Ricky Graham Rookie of the Year award from the AMA Pro Grand National series. That year he was also named the AMA/Speedvision Athlete of the Year for his remarkably successful season competing in three different AMA classes.

With a limited dirt track racing career, Nicky has won a total of six Grand National Championship races on Short Track, TT and Half-Mile race tracks. While coming up through the dirt track ranks, Nicky’s eyes were set on a full time road race career. Nicky has 17 AMA Pro Racing Superbike wins, the 2002 AMA Superbike Championship, 6 AMA Pro Racing Supersport wins, 1999 Supersport Championship, 5 AMA Pro Racing Superstock wins, 1998 Superstock Championship and 7 AMA Pro Racing Formula Extreme wins.

In 2003 after a successful dirt track and road race career in the U.S., Nicky turned his focus to the World MotoGP Championship series. Nicky has three MotoGP wins and became the MotoGP World Champion in 2006.

“We’re honored to have a U.S. and World Champion such as Nicky Hayden serve as Grand Marshal”, said Mike Moore, President of The Promotion Company-Family Events, producers of the Lucas Oil Indy Mile. “It’s a fitting tribute Nicky’s many accomplishments, especially here at the legendary Lucas Oil Indy Mile where he was first honored as a rookie”, Moore said.

Advance Discount tickets available at The Indiana State Fairgrounds Box Office, any Ticketmaster location, www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 1-800-745-3000. For additional ticket information and web links, please visit www.IndyMile.com.
(Ducati North America)

Burgess: Chill People, Rossi will be Fast on the Ducati

Valentino Rossi’s chief engineer, Jeremy Burgess has cautioned the naysayers who were disappointed in the results of the Italian’s first outing on the Ducati MotoGP racer at the recent Valencia post season test. Rossi ended the test 15th fastest and second slowest Ducati ahead of only rookie Karel Abraham.

Vale was 1.7 seconds off the pace of the front runners, former Ducati pilot Casey Stoner getting his first taste of a factory Honda and 2010 World Champion, Jorge Lorenzo on the Yamaha M1. Both Nicky Hayden and new to Pramac Ducati, Randy De Puniet were over a second faster than the GOAT. What gives?

Defending his charge, Burgess urged for calm when speaking with Motosprint.

“There’s no reason to panic, despite Valentino’s unusual test results. Everything was new for Valentino as it was for myself and my team.”

Reports suggest that Rossi liked the power delivery and the rear grip from the Ducati (something he has struggled with on the Yamaha) but found the front end of the Ducati as disagreeable as Stoner did.

“Everyone likes to be at the top of the timesheets, after every test session, but I knew Valentino would get on the track to do a different job: he wanted to ride to understand the bike, not to do record laps. “He kept himself within wide margins, he certainly didn’t ride as if it was a race weekend.” reported Burgess

Rossi eager for action but prepared for “calm” recovery

Valentino Rossi is fully aware of the road to recovery that awaits him following surgery on his shoulder on Sunday, and despite acknowledging that he needs to be “calm and patient” in his rehabilitation the 31 year-old is eager to try out his repaired shoulder.

In the aftermath of his operation in Italy on Sunday Doctor Alessandro Castagna, one of the specialists who operated on Rossi, said he expected the nine-time World Champion to fit in time for the MotoGP Test at Sepang which takes place at the start of February next year, provided there were no complications to the Italian’s recovery.

Rossi appears to have taken stock of the advice and is anticipating a careful approach, and gave his post-operation reaction to the crew of Italian broadcaster Mediaset’s humorous show ‘Striscia la Notizia’.

“I’m pretty bad and it’s very painful, but that’s normal in the days that follow an operation. I’m finding it difficult to sleep,” said Rossi. “The operation went well. Everything is how it should be. My arm is immobilised, and the shoulder is expected to recover 100%. Now it’s just a question of time, I have to be calm, patient, and to wait.”

With his focus on the Sepang Test, which should be his second on the Desmosedici, Rossi continued: “The shoulder was much worse than we suspected and the operation lasted twice as long as was planned. The tendons which we thought were a little bit affected were in fact completely damaged. Now I have a shoulder which is like new, and I’m eager to try it out. I hope to be fit for February 1st, the first Test of 2011, and ride the Ducati.”

Rossi will be ready for Sepang Test

February 1st 2011, the date of the next Official MotoGP Test, is firmly fixed in Valentino Rossi’s mind as the Italian begins his rehabilitation from shoulder surgery which took place on Sunday. The normal recovery period following a procedure such as the one undergone by Rossi is 90 days, but with 79 until the Sepang Test the schedule is tight.

In an interview with Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport Doctor Alessandro Castagna of the Milan Humanitas Institute, who along with Doctor Giuseppe Porcellini performed the operation, explained his view on the chances of Rossi being fit to ride the Ducati in Malaysia.

“It usually takes 90 days and he has 79 until the first Test. I’m sure that if everything goes smoothly and there are no complications he can be ready for it,” said Dr Castagna.

The nine-time World Champion will require a splint to support the shoulder for three weeks, and his recovery programme will consist of three important stages.

“The inflammatory phase (immediately after surgery) usually lasts for between three to five days,” continued Dr Castagna. “The second phase usually a month and a half or two during which the capillaries in the area will aid the production of fresh cells that will help the healing process. The final stage will be the re-strengthening of the joint. In the middle of the second stage Valentino will start the rehabilitation with the first steps being in the pool, followed by gym activity.”

Discussing the surgery Dr Castagna said: “The operation itself had no particular problems, but we encountered a situation like at the supermarket: pay for one, get three. To give an idea of the situation it normally takes 35 minutes to stabilise a shoulder, and with Valentino it took us an hour and 50 minutes.”

“In simple terms the supraspinatus tendon and the glenoid ligament were both very damaged. We had to clean the area to prepare it for its natural healing process, and then close it with 12 stitches. The fibrocartilage surrounding the humerus was displaced so we put it back and fixed it with bio-absorbable staples. All of this was done in an area which measured a maximum of 2-3 centimetres.”

MCA Pledges RM40,000 For Wushu Medallists At Asian Games

Kuala Lumpur - MCA on Friday pledged to give RM40,000 to Chai Fong Ying and Tai Cheau Xuen for winning the gold medal and bronze respectively in wushu at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

Party president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek said the contribution was in appreciation of their success and as an incentive for them to do better in the sport in future.

"At the moment, we don't have the sponsor yet but I have instructed my deputy (Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai) to lead the search for sponsorship.

"We pledge to give RM30,000 to Chai and RM10,000 to Tai," he told reporters at a dinner function in honour of the national wushu squad, here Friday night.

At the Asian Games this time, Chai won gold again in the Taijijian event after her first at the Doha Games in Qatar four years ago.

Dr Chua said the MCA would also look for RM200,000 to assist the Wushu Federation of Malaysia.

Schwartzel sinks fourth career hole-in-one

By Ashley Hammond

Dubai : Charl Schwartzel bagged the fourth hole-in-one of his career from 166 yards on the par-three sixth hole at Jumeirah Golf Estates Earth Course yesterday.

The South African told Gulf News: "It's a great feeling whenever you get a hole-in-one but to get one in a tournament is something special."

Schwartzel's last hole in one came two years ago at the Johannesburg Open, the other two came at his local golf course when he was 10 and 13 years old.

He added of the trick shot: "It was all thanks to Miguel [Angel Jimenez, his partner for Day 1]. I saw him use a six iron and decided to hit a seven. It was probably a yard or so short but where I was standing it looked as though it released perfectly."

Big boost
"I birdied hole two, bogeyed hole three then from nowhere three holes later I got the hole-in-one — it really boosts your day."

Finishing 69 three under par with four birdies, three bogeys plus that now famous hole in one, Schwartzel is now tied for fifth in the Dubai World Championship leaderboard and eighth in the Race to Dubai standings.

Having not been in contention in recent tournaments, despite playing well, Schwartzel is hopeful his luck is on the turn.

"It's a good start for me. I definitely feel there's a low score out there if I can get the putter working I'll really make a low scoring game."

Laughing off the fact he didn't win a prize for his hole-in-one, as cars or yachts are normally fair game for such an achievement, Schwartzel said: "I thought I'd won a car, because there was a car standing to the right of the tee box but yeah you know I'll have to get another one on the17th [where there is a car]"

Liu sets his sights on London

By Alaric Gomes

Guangzhou : China's pin-up boy and 110m world record holder feels that his maturity can see him back to where he belongs in the near future.

"I am 27 and much more mature now than before. This medal bodes me well and I think I can be back to where I belong," Liu Xiang told media after Wednesday night's run that fetched him a record third Asian Games gold medal at a packed Aoti Stadium.

Liu finished in a time of 13.09secs — his best showing for this season — and then trained his eyes on the 2012 London Olympics to recapture his past glory.

"I believe I can do it [win the Olympic gold medal] said after he blazed home ahead of teammate Shi Dongpeng, his conqueror in May's Diamond League meet held in Shanghai, and South Korea's Park Tae-yong in third.

"I know it is easy to say ‘I can', even though the process might be more difficult than it looks now. But I believe that with time I still have the power to do it. No matter if I can get the Olympic gold or not, I'll try my very best," said Liu, who surrendered his world record in June 2008 when Cuba's Dayron Robles ran the distance in 12.87secs.

Liu rose to fame as China's first major track star when he won Olympic gold in Athens 2004, but experienced a fall from grace four years later when he limped out of the Birds Nest in Beijing with an Achilles tendon injury before the heats of his signature event.

Major event
Since then the Achilles injury has plagued the athlete despite undergoing surgery in the US shortly after the 2008 Beijing Games.

Wednesday's win was his first major one on home soil since that fateful day in Beijing when a packed stadium heaved a uniform breath of silence leaving millions of his fans shell-shocked.

He made his comeback run in March this year, managing only a seventh place at the world indoor championships in the shorter 60m hurdles. Two months later, Liu pocketed the bronze at the Diamond League meet in his hometown Shanghai where he was beaten by American David Oliver (12.99secs) and teammate Shi Dongpeng.

However, on a cool breezy Wednesday evening, Liu did what he knows to do best as he finished with a fast time of 13.09secs, thereby endorsing his dominance on the bigger stage.

"I didn't expect to finish in such a good time. I had thought that a time of 13.30secs would be enough for me to win the medal," Xiang admitted. "There is still a gap between my current form and how I was at my peak, but I have time to improve. I believe I can run inside 13 seconds and I am confident I can get back to my peak form," he added.

India race away with gold medals in track and field events

By Alaric Gomes

Guangzhou - India took both the gold medals in the 400-metre hurdles to match their opening day's performance in the track and field competition at the 16th Asian Games at the Aoti Stadium here yesterday.

Ashwini Chidananda Akkunji scalped some established runners to win gold in the 400-metre hurdles with a personal best time of 56.15secs, while teammate Joseph Abraham claimed the top spot in the men's 400-metre hurdles with a time of 49.96secs for another rare Indian double.

India had opened the track and field competition last Sunday with Preeja Sreedharan and Kavita Raut first completing a fine one-two in the women's 10,000-metre and later Sudha Singh capping a perfect night with a final lunge to win the women's 3,000-metre steeplechase.

Making amends
Earlier during the evening, Japan's Chisato Fukushima made amends for her 100-metre disappointment with a light wind assisted run to finish in 23.60secs and clinch gold in the 200-metre gold ahead of Vietnam's Vu Thi Huong and veteran Uzbek runner Guzel Khubbieva.

Iran once again reiterated their rise in sporting arena with Sajad Moradi running a blistering 800-metre final to take the gold with a time of 1 minute, 45.45secs, leaving Iraq's Adnan Al Muntafage (1:45.88) and Qatar's Musaab Abdul Rahman Bala (1:46.19) for silver and bronze respectively.

Indian great P.T. Usha then watched in dismay as her ward Tintu Lukka led most of the race but finished third behind Kazakhstan's Margarita Matsko and Vietnam's Thanh Hang Truong in the women's 800-metre final.

"A medal is a medal and I am glad she has picked one up so early in her career. She is inexperienced and that is what cost her a gold medal," P. T. Usha observed.

Japan wins women's' world baseball championship

Yukari Isozaki gave up just four hits and one run over four innings after Japan scored nine runs in the first to beat Australia 13-3 and claim the women's' world baseball championship on Sunday.

After Japan's batters made a strong start, pitchers Isozaki and Ayami Sato held Australia's offense in chck throughout the rest of the game at Jose Perez Colmenares Stadium in the northern city of Maracay.

Isozaki had three strikeouts and allowed nly one batter to take a base on balls.

"I was nervous at the beginning, given the responsibility of opening this game, but my teammates supported me and we won this game together," Isozaki said.

Sato was equally effective, giving up two runs and two hits as Japan's reliever. She struck out two battrs.

Sunday's victory was Japan's second in the women's world baseball championship. The Japanese also won the tournament in 2008.

Underachieving Madrid banks on Mourinho to deliver

A season after breaking the bank on a squad of "galactico" players that failed to deliver a single title, Real Madrid is banking on coach Jose Mourinho to turn an underachieving squad of stars into champions.

Madrid president Florentino Perez wasted little time in securing the Portuguese coach's services after he led Inter Milan to the Champions League trophy at Madrid's own Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in May.

Now, the self-proclaimed "Special One" faces his biggest challenge yet as he looks to turn around the fortunes of football's biggest club.

"Real Madrid is a unique team in how it generates such enormous expectations, it's been the best club of the 20th century," Mourinho said. "I've had little time here so far but I'm already aware of what this team is and I want to go down in the history of Real Madrid."

Counting on players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka, Xabi Alonso, Sergio Ramos and Iker Casillas means the pressure is high - especially after another early exit from Europe last season and the humiliating Copa del Rey exit when it lost 4-0 to third-tier Alcorcon.

Madrid set a club record for points last season but two defeats by Barcelona proved the difference as its biggest rival won the league for a second straight season.

With the exits of Raul Gonzalez and Jose Maria "Guti" Gutierrz, Mourinho is set to spearhead a new age at Madrid, led by Ronaldo.

"Cristiano is very happy," Mourinho said. "He'll have a magnificent season under me."

After spending over euro250 million ($343 million) on players last summer, Madrid has been relatively quiet this time around with Argentina winger Angel Di Maria's arrival from Benfica for euro25 million ($31.7 million) its most expensive transfer. Madrid also signed Germany standout Sami Khedira from Stuttgart, Getafe midfielder Pedro Leon and longtime Mourinho favorite Ricardo Carvalho from Chelsea.

The arrivals of teenager Sergio Canales from Racing Santander and Germany playmaker Mesut Oezil from Werder Bremen are shaping up to be the most important, with Kaka out until December following knee surgery.

"(Oezil) is a creative player who is more offensive than (Fernando) Gago or Lassana (Diarra). He's got similar qualities to Canales," Mourinho said. "(Canales) is a player I like a lot. If he doesn't change, he'll get a lot of minutes in this team."

While Ronaldo and striker Gonzalo Higuain guarantee goals, Mourinho's biggest task might be in getting the best out of Karim Benzema, who has largely been a disappointment since a euro35 million ($44 million) move from Lyon last summer.

"Mentally I'm very strong and I'm convinced I'm going to score a lot of goals," Benzema said.

Carvalho will also be pressed into action immediately as Madrid is without injured center backs Pepe, Raul Albiol and Ezequiel Garay for its Aug. 29 opener against Mllorca.

Madrid's players have become quick believers in Mourinho, with Oezil saying his decision to move to the Spanish capital was all down to playing under Mourinho.

Goalkeeper Casillas said of his new coach: "He's got a lot of hope and desire to do things well. He's got a young group keen to achieve things. We have no reason to envy Barcelona."

Mourinho himself is keen on making history.

"I want to be the only one to have won the three most important leagues in the world: Spain, Italy and England," Mourinho said.

Barcelona will be Mourinho's biggest worry as it fields eight players from Sain's World Cup winning team.

But Mourinho is already familiar with Barcelona - where he previously worked as an assistant coach - from his infamous clashes while coach at Chelsea and Inter, which eliminated the defending European champions in last season's semifinals.

Mourinho is ready for the challenge - it may just be a question of whether Madrid is ready for him. (Paul Logothetis)

Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven face Europa League battle

Former European champions Liverpool and PSV Eindhoven face a battle to reach the group stages of the Europa League in the second legs of their qualifying playoffs on Thursday.

English side Liverpool travels to Turkey with only a 1-0 lad from its first leg against Trabzonspor at Anfield last week, courtesy of Ryan Babel's goal.

In unfamiliar territory after failing to qualify for the Champions League last season, Liverpool risk missing out on making the group stages of Europe's second-tier club competition.

"Whether the margin of victory is enough, only time will tell, but we can at least go there with a lead and having not conceded a goal," manager Roy Hodgson said.

Liverpool is yet to win in the Premier League this season, its 3-0 defeat at Manchester City following a goalless draw at home to Arsenal.

The five-time European champion should welcome back attacking midfielder Joe Cole from domestic suspension but is set to be without Javier Mascherano, who "isn't in the right frame of mind at the moment to play," according to Hodgson, after being the subject of a bid from Barcelona.

PSV fared worse in its opening match in the playoffs, losing 1-0 to Russian side Sibir Novosibirsk after having Francisco Rodriguez sent off in the first half. The Dutch club, which won the European Cup in 1988, conceded a goal to Aleksandr Degtyarev in the second minute of injury time.

PSV at least recovered from its European setback by winning in its domestic championship, 3-1 against AZ Alkmaar on Sunday.

"We're happy to have bounced back from the defeat at FC Sibir. I asked the players to switch over and that's what they've done," coach Fred Rutten said.

Rodriguez will miss the second leg after being handed a one-match ban following his sending-off.

Meanwhile, fallen Italian giant Juventus has a 2-1 lead over Sturm Graz to take into the return leg thanks to a stoppage-time winner by Brazilian striker Amauri.

Aston Villa, which is level at 1-1 with Rapid Vienna, will look to avoid being eliminated in the Europa League playoffs by the Austrian team for the second year running.

Fellow English side Manchester City will be without first-leg match-winner Mario Balotelli for its return match against FC Timisoara, which lost 1-0 in Romania last week. The Italy forward is still nursing an injury sustained late in the first leg.

Elsewhere, Turkish sides Fenerbahce and Galatasaray are struggling to make it through. Galatasaray drew 2-2 at home to Karpaty Lviv of Ukraine and Fenerbahce lost 1-0 at PAOK Salonika in the first leg. (The Associated Press)

Koreans together on Asian Games podium

Two South and North Korean athletes shook hands and stood side-by-side on the Asian Games medal podium on Tuesday as their countries waged a deadly military skirmish.

In the women's individual archery competition, South Korea's Yun Ok-hee won gold, beating Cheng Ming of China in the final, with Kwon Un Sil of North Korea securing the bronze medal.

Yun walked over to Kwon with the South Korean flag draped over her shoulders after winning the competition, and the North Korean gave her a friendly pat on the back.

Kwon, wearing a red team jacket, and Yun, with a multicolored team top, both stood with their hands behind their backs before the medals were presented. But when Yun was introduced to the crowd, she stopped to shake hands with Kwon before proceeding to get the gold medal.

Neither athlete wanted to comment on the political tension on their divided peninsula in a later news conference, where organizers tried to restrict questions.

Yun said she didn't care about the political tension and declined to answer questions, saying "We are supposed to get questions relevant to the competition only."

Kwon said she didn't know anything about the skirmish.

"I just try to do my best in my performance. I don't pay attention to, or care about the situation," Kwon said through a translator. "My goal at this Asian Games, and my only goal, was to win the gold medal.

"It is not only for my own aspirations but also for our great leader."

Seoul claimed that North Korea shot dozens of rounds of artillery onto a populated South Korean island near their disputed western border earlier Tuesday, reportedly killing a marine and injuring 13 people.

South Korea said it returned fire and scrambled fighter jets in response, and said the "inhumane" attack on civilian areas violated the 1953 armistice halting the Korean War. The two sides technically remain at war because a peace treaty was never negotiated.

There was no evidence of animosity between the delegations at the archery range as competition progressed. After she'd won the bronze medal playoff, Kwon and her coach spent time in the same rest area and exchanged greetings with two South Korean team officials.

During the playing of the South Korean national anthem, the flags of both countries were raised side by side. Yun pulled out a large South Korean flag after the anthem was played and held it in outstretched arms in front of a group of South Korean fans.

At a later photo opportunity, Kwon didn't appear to mind standing beside Yun as she held up a South Korean flag for the cameras.

Manuel Silverio, the Olympic Council of Asia's media committee chairman, said he was pleased to hear the archers react in such a positive way and urged athletes from both sides to remain at the games, which bring together more than 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and are due to finish Saturday.

"The OCA is making an appeal to all athletes from both sides that they must stay together to show that they are here to compete, and never withdraw," Silverio told The Associated Press. "This is in the OCA and IOC constitution that this is a sports festival, a sports arena. It is nothing related to here."

Silverio said neither team had asked for any extra security arrangements due to Tuesday's events. When contacted for comment, both sides said there was no plan to quit the games.

North Korean wrestler Yang Kyong Il appeared shy and answered simply "I don't know" when journalists asked him about the skirmish after the medal ceremony for the men's freestyle 55 kilogram class.

Yang took the silver after losing to an opponent from Uzbekistan and shared the podium with bronze medalist Kim Hyo-sub of South Korea, though the two were not next to each other.

Organizers canceled a post-ceremony news conference.

Ceylon loses thriller, WISCI extends streak

Ceylon lost a thriller against GMIS CC, and WISCI extended its winning streak by defeating Indorama in the weekend matches of the Apple Coal JCA League 2010-11.

Ceylon lost by 4 runs to GMIS CC despite the heroics of Ceylon captain Dihan Silva, who remained unbeaten on 153 in Cibubur, East Jakarta. Electing to bat first, GMIS CC amassed 268/5 in 35 overs based on Nitesh Pansare’s maiden century (102 runs) and Nicholas Manuel’s 82 runs.

In reply, Ceylon, lead by Dihan who has a reputation for winning matches single handedly, came precariously close to scripting one of the most memorable run chases in JCA league history. Ceylon fell short by just 4 runs, ending at 264/6 in 35 overs. Gaurav Kapoor made 41 runs.

In a match at Karawaci in Tangerang, Banten, WISCI were declared winners on better run rate, when rain stopped play after 20 overs. Electing to bat, Indorama posted 179/8, after struggling at 36/4 in 12 overs. Arjun Chouhan’s 56 and Vinod Verghese’s unbeaten 35 runs provided respectability to Indorama’s score. Kailas Raina took 2 wickets for 17 runs.

Sensing rain the match was curtailed with WISCI ahead of the required run rate of 5.14 and 123/1 in 20 overs. Steve Callaghan scored the most with 62 runs and had an opening partnership of 97 with Paul Griffith.

WISCI top the league with 60 points and have won all 5 matches.—JP

India Counts on Prime Pitch for Batsmen

Hyderabad, India - Judging by his past experience of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni expects bat to dominate ball in the second test against New Zealand starting on Friday.

The latest addition to the list of test venues, as the five-day game returns to Hyderabad after a 22-year hiatus, is not expected to provide the kind of result-friendly pitch that India would prefer after having drawn the series opener.

“We have played some one-dayers and IPL [Indian Premier League] matches here and found the pitch to be on the flat side with some bounce, which enables batsmen to score freely,” Dhoni said on Thursday.

The first test of the three-match series ended in a draw at Ahmedabad, where India needed a rearguard action by V.V.S. Laxman and a century from bowler Harbhajan Singh in the second innings to resist a looming defeat.

Dhoni said he would like to be more attacking but the team was not contemplating going in with an extra bowler.

“I would like the luxury of playing five bowlers, but then you have to consider what your best side is. We like to rely on part-time bowlers to supplement the four regular bowlers,” Dhoni said.

The India skipper also backed out-of-form opener Gautam Gambhir — 86 runs in his past 10 innings — saying his place in the side was not yet at risk despite the claims of Murali Vijay, who scored a century in the final test against Australia last month as replacement for the injured Gambhir.

“With Gambhir it is a the pressure of performance rather than the fear of failure,” Dhoni said. “He has set a high benchmark for himself and others like Murali will have to wait for some time.”

Dhoni also put pressure upon the umpires, after questionable decisions in the first test.

“Everyone saw Laxman’s decision in the first test. Strong measures have to be taken to improve the standard of umpiring,” Dhoni said in reference to Steve Davis’s lbw decision when replays showed a clear inside edge off Laxman’s bat when he was just nine runs shy of a century.

New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori urged his team to “maintain the high standards” after the strong showing in the first test.

“We need to back up our performance in the first match with another one here,” Vettori said on Thursday.

India started the series as a strong favorite but was surprised by a resurgent New Zealand in the series opener. The third and final test will be held in Nagpur next week. (C. Rajshekhar Rao)

Associated Press

Haider Forced to Give Up Career Amid Fixing Threats

London - Pakistan wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider has retired from international cricket and is reportedly seeking political asylum in Britain amid alleged threats from match-fixers.

Haider left the Pakistan team in Dubai on Monday and flew to London after claiming he had been offered money to lose matches against South Africa, the latest twist in the fixing scandals rocking the team.

The 24-year-old Haider would not identify who threatened him or the nature of the threats that prompted him to flee the team hotel in Dubai and travel to England without telling anyone.

“I was approached by one person who asked me to fix the fourth and fifth match, and there would be problem for me if I did not do it,” Haider said.

“I do not want to say who is involved and who is not involved in the match-fixing.”

Haider said he received threats after scoring the winning run in Friday’s one-wicket in the fourth one-day international in Dubai. South Africa won the fifth and decisive ODI on Monday and clinched the series 3-2.

“The country is like a mother and anyone who sells it cannot get anything in life,” he said.

“I did not want to sell my mother. I did not want to sell my country and I did what I thought was better.”

Following Friday’s match, Haider asked a Pakistan Cricket Board official for his passport, pretending he needed it to buy a mobile phone connection, and then left the hotel three days later to fly to London.

“I did not do what I was asked to do in the fourth one-dayer and I also did not let it happen what was being asked to do, so this is the reason that I left it and came here and I did what I felt better,” he said.

Haider would not detail the threats, but Pakistan police beefed up security at his house in Lahore “to avoid any untoward incident,” according to senior police official Sahahzada Salim.

“I cannot say what kind of threats I have received as my family is still in Pakistan,” Haider said, adding his reluctance to provide details was in the interests of family safety.

Haider arrived in London on Monday and said he had discussed his status with immigration officials.

“I understand there is rule in Britain that if you are on right and if you are not a criminal, then they always protect you.”

Raza Haider said his brother was asked by UK immigration authorities to appear with a lawyer. He said the family was sending Zulqarnain money he received for playing in Pakistan’s tour of England earlier this year.

Haider is staying at a hotel near Heathrow Airport while his case is being decided.

Julie Gibbs, spokeswoman for the Information Center about Asylum and Refugees, said Pakistani citizens seeking asylum in the UK were usually dealt with on a “fast-track system.”

But Gibbs said it was unlikely Haider would be granted political asylum if he requested it, while emphasizing that each case was different.

“He’s not got a good chance. Pakistan isn’t really an asylum country,” she said. (Mark Walsh)

Associated Press

McCullum Hits Ton to Keep Kiwi Hopes Alive

Brendon McCullum struck a well-paced century on Monday as New Zealand reached 237-4 at the close of play on the fourth day of the second test against India after conceding a 122-run first innings lead.

The test looks like providing an interesting final day as New Zealand is 115 runs ahead with six wickets in hand.

McCullum was batting on 124 and Kane Williamson had 12 as the Kiwis looked to prolong the second innings, just as Harbhajan Singh had done earlier in the day for India with a century that took its first innings to 472.

McCullum started aggressively and was particularly severe on the spinners, striking 11 fours and three sixes off 177 balls.

He built up a 125-run partnership for the first wicket with Tim McIntosh (49), the first three-figure opening stand for New Zealand in over six years.

McIntosh hit six fours and a six before he was caught at forward short leg off left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha.

Left-hander McIntosh, who had struck 102 in the first innings after twice being out for nought in the first match at Ahmedabad, was comfortable against both pace and spin before being caught bat and pad.

Martin Guptill (18) lasted for 67 minutes but did not seem fluent despite having scored 85 in the first innings. He was out caught behind as he tried to slash a delivery from Ojha but only managed an edge.

Ross Taylor (7) fell 13 runs later as seam bowler Shantakumaran Sreesanth produced a fine delivery that came in sharply and found the gap between bat and pad to dislodge the stumps.

Jesse Ryder (20) could not do much either and edged one to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni off part-time spinner Suresh Raina as New Zealand slipped from 174-1 to 221-4.

Earlier, Harbhajan became the first number eight batsman to score centuries in successive tests, scoring 111 not out to lead India to its 122-run first innings.

India added 36 runs to its overnight 436-9 before Sreesanth (24) was trapped lbw by Daniel Vettori to end the innings at 472.

New Zealand had scored 350 in its first innings. 

Associated Press

Reeves shows exceptional pace at Targa High Country

Written by Fabien Kornél

Fresh from their success at the Pirelli Star Driver Shootout in Spain two weeks ago, Brendan Reeves and Rhianon Smyth returned to tarmac rallying at the weekend. Driving a Mazda3 MPS for Mazda Motorsport in the inaugural Targa High Country rally, the brother-sister duo showed impressive speed and talent.

Day one of the rally on Saturday consisted of eight stages with the day starting and finishing at Mount Buller. Four stages were run in the morning before a lunch break at Wangaratta, with crews then repeating three of the morning stages on the return leg. The day's final stage was an ascent up the Mount Buller road and, after a superb run throughout the day, Reeves and Smyth ended the day with a lead in the Showroom Class of over three and a half minutes, and sixth place outright. With the rally's outright leaders driving much more powerful machinery in the form of Lamborghinis and Porsches, it was a remarkable effort to have the nimble Mazda3 MPS inside the top ten, let alone in sixth place.

Reeves and Smyth went into Sunday ready for another challenging day of technical high country roads! By the end of stage 10, they held a lead of over four minutes in the Showroom class.

In stage 11, the longest stage of the event at 28km, the pair were having a good run through the twisty downhill section, 26km into the stage, when their good run came to an end. After a fast straight into a sharp right corner, Reeves had some initial brake fade, which led to him having too fast an entry into the corner and with no other option but to run up the bank or hit another car already crashed, Reeves ran off the road.

"It's extremely disappointing as we were having such a great event and the Mazda was going beautifully," said Reeves. "We are really looking forward to getting back in the car again and working with Mazda."

Neither Reeves nor Smyth were injured in the incident.

Reeves and Smyth will now prepare for the final round of the Australian Rally Championship (ARC), Rally Victoria, which takes place around Warragul this weekend, November 13 and 14. The all new ARC event will be run by the Cerberus Car Club, of which they are both members. To support their club in the event, the pair will drive a Subaru from Rallyschool as '0' car on the gravel event.

Villagra snatches championship lead from Pozzo

Written by Fabien Kornél

Federico Villagra (Mitsubishi/VRS) took a crucial victory over his main title contender Gabriel Pozzo (Subaru/Baratec) in Rally Pagos del Tuyú, round 11 of the Argentine National Rally, to claim a one point lead ahead of the final showdown of the year.

"Coyote" made his way through the race setting a fast and faultless pace which enables him to win nine of the fourteen stages scheduled to finally beat Pozzo who came 39,1s. adrift.

The former FIA Production Cup winner was far from matching Villagra's pace, fighting hard instead with Tango's owner Marcos Ligato (Mitsubishi), who was at the verge of snatching the second position until Pozzo's final reaction. Four positioned was Claudio Menzi (VW/Baratec) drivin g the sole Maxi Rally car so far, whilst Juan Marchetto (Mitsubishsi/VRS) finished fifth.

The final round of the series will be held next month (December 10-12) in Unquillo, in the province of Córdoba where the champion will be crowned. Villagra is chasing his ninth title -fifth in a row- whereas Pozzo is in search of his maiden national championship.

Rally Pagos del Tuyú
Final classification
1°) Federico Villagra-Diego Curletto (Mitsubishi) 1h15m58,4s.
2°) Gabriel Pozzo-Daniel Stillo (Subaru) + 39,1s.
3°) Marcos Ligato-Rubén García (Mitsubishi) + 51,5s.
4°) Claudio Menzi-Diego Cagnotti (Volkswagen) + 1m04,7s.
5°) Juan Marchetto-Gustavo Franchello (Mitsubishi) + 1m30,5s.
< style="text-align: justify">6°) Juan Gil De Marchi-Mauro Albornoz (Mitsubishi) + 3m35,8s.
7°) Adrián Santos-Nicolás Álvarez (Mitsubishi) + 3m38,5s.
8°) Agustín Elvira-Oscar Tagle (Mitsubishi) + 4m03,8s.

Judd ready for marathon rally

Written by Fabien Kornél

One of New Zealand’s most experienced rally competitors, Jeff Judd, is ready to take on New Zealand’s only marathon rally, the Silver Fern Rally, when it gets underway on November 14.

Judd is highly respected around New Zealand as both a driver and co-driver, with achievements including contesting the Production World Rally Championship last year as co-driver to Mark Tapper.

The Christchurch Driver, along with co-driver Mark Smith, will contest the week-long rally in a Ford Escort RS1800 built to full classic specifications. The car has a strong history, winning the 1998 edition of the prestigious Otago Classic Rally as well as the 1999 Club Rally championship, which was later known as Rally Xtreme. After a crash at a classic race meeting in 2000, the car has been re-shelled across the last ten years and is ready for the demands of the Silver Fern.

Judd has been seeded second amongst an international field, just behind South African driver Geoff Bell in a similar car and is widely regarded as New Zealand’s best hope to win the Jim Clark Trophy for the first ‘period’ classic car home.

The Silver Fern Rally has run on three previous occasions with Judd having competed each time. After co-driving in 1990 and again in 2006 for Englishman Grant Shand, Judd got behind the wheel in 2008 in a similar car and was inside the top three on each of the five trouble-free days, however problems on the other three days meant the end result was 23rd overall.

The epay Silver Fern Rally gets underway on November 14, running for seven days with six stages on each day. Day one sees crews start the rally in Christchurch with a loop before returning for an overnight halt. The following day, crews will travel onto Timaru one night, then further south to Dunedin on day three. Day Four, which loops around Dunedin, has the longest distance of any day and two of the three longest stages of the event at 100.75km and 50.49 for a day total of nearly 250 competitive kilometres. Day five sees the crews head south to Invercargill, then north to Alexandra on Day six. The seventh and final day will lead the remaining teams to the Queenstown finish and the crews who get there will have traveled 1059km of special stages as well as 1850km of touring stages, where all road rules must be obeyed.

Judd’s 2010 Silver Fern campaign is backed by John Jones Steel, BNT, Fuchs Lubricants, VINZ Testing Stations, Waimate Pharmacy, Magnum Compliance Services, Balclutha Nissan, Canterbury Stoneguards, Import Part Specialists, Silvester V8 Performance, Garden City Helicopters and Windscreens Nationwide.

IT/MIS-Programmer Vacancy at Sinar Mas

Job Information
Position IT/MIS-Programmer
Job Type Employee
Work Location Office
Employment Status FullTime
Work Place Jakarta
Salary Negotiable
Gender Both

Company Information
Company Name Bank Sinarmas
Industry Finance/Banking
Company Size Medium (51 – 149 employees)
Company Type Multinational Company
City Jakarta
Country Indonesia
Homepage http://www.banksinarmas.com
Company Profile
Bank Sinarmas
Requirements
Minimum Experience 1
Minimum Degree Bachelor (S1)
Skill 1. C++ Language – 1 years (Required)
2. ASP – 1 years (Required)
3. VB.NET – 1 years (Required)
Additional Information
• Minimum Degree in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical/Electronic Engineering or relevant discipline
• Willing to learn, and work independently, and as team player
• Possess positive work attitude, proactive, and initiative.
• Have a good analytical and logic thinking.
• Good knowledge on DBMS & RDBMS
• Have technical experience in programming language (like C or C++, VB or VB.net, ASP, etc)
• Have knowledge on banking products or having experience in programming for financial institution would be an advantage.

Bayern on the mend with four-goal show

Defending German champions Bayern Munich scored a morale-boosting 4-2 win over Freiburg on Friday night after a sizzling second half brought three goals to move the Bavarians up to seventh spot.

Though foing well in the Champions League, Bayern have had a poor time of it in the league so far this term – but the three points lifted them provisionally level with sixth-placed Hamburg with 15 points after only their fourth win in 10 games.

Martin Demichelis scored the only goal of the first half to bolster Bayern’s confidence before Mario Gomez on the hour, Anatoliy Timoshchuk and then Toni Kroos completed the rout – Stefan Reisinger briefly putting Freiburg back in it at 2-1.

A late own goal from Bayern defender Edson Braafheid was scant consolation for the visitors, who started off the match three points clear of their southern rivals.

On Sunday, both Bundesliga leaders Mainz – nine points clear of Bayern with a match in hand – and closest rivals Borussia Dortmund will be looking to get over German Cup disappointments when they clash with top spot up for grabs.

Mainz suffered only their second defeat of the season on Wednesday when they were shocked 2-1 at second division Alemannia Aachen in the German Cup second round, while Dortmund lost 4-2 on penalties at third-tier Kickers Offenbach.

With a two-point lead, Mainz can open up a five-point gap at the top of the table if they can beat Juergen Klopp’s young guns.

Raul to the rescue as Schalke end home win drought

Former Spanish international great Raul scored a brace as Bundesliga strugglers Schalke 04 finally ended their jinx at the Veltins-Arena with a 3-0 home defeat of St. Pauli on Friday.

Schalke finished runners-up last season but have made a disastrous start to the 2011 campaign with one win in their first 10 games, prior to this victory, leaving them hovering precariously around the relegation zone.

Raul moved to the German side in July on a two-year deal after making over 500 appearances for Real Madrid, and has come in for criticism in recent weeks despite scoring a brace in the Champions league against Hapoel Tel Aviv last month.

Felix Magath’s side went into this match with plenty of pressure — it is Schalke’s worst ever start to the season — but showed enough composure and determination to keep their first clean sheet since February 2010.

Raul opened the scoring on 14 minutes, with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, a former teammate of Raul’s at Real Madrid, doubling the lead in the 53rd minute.

Raul put the match well beyond reach of St. Pauli with his second goal of the game nine minutes from regulation time.

“It’s a relief to win at home and I’m very happy for Raul, who as well as scoring two goals showed he can play alongside Huntelaar,” said Magath.

Central defender Christoph Metzelder, who has been a target for some Schalke fans in recent weeks, was more than happy at having conceded no goals.

“I hope this will be the start of better things for us. In any case, it has given us a confidence boost and showed that our defence is becoming a bit more solid,” said Metzelder.

Schalke were second from bottom and moved up two places to 15th on nine points, 16 adrift of league leaders Borussia Dortmund. St. Pauli remain in 13th on 13 points.

German champions Bayern Munich are seventh, 10 points off the pace, ahead of their away match Saturday to Borussia Moenchengladbach. BERLIN (AFP)

Dortmund extend lead after seeing off Hamburg

Bundesliga leaders Dortmund underlined their credentials at the top of the table on Friday with a 2-0 home win over Hamburg in the rain to open a seven-point lead at the top of the table.

On a filthy night in Dortmund at a packed Signal Iduna Park in front of a sell-out 80,720 crowd, the home side picked up three more points to open the seven-point lead over second-place Mainz ahead of this weekend’s matches.

Dortmund are flying high at the moment this was their tenth league win of the season. Their defeat to Leverkusen back in August on the first day of the season is the only blot on their copybook this term.

“It was very difficult for us against an oppoent who played so defensively,” said Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp.

“It took us a while to get into the game, but things worked better for us after the break.

“Hamburg came back into the game late on, which made life hard for us.

“But we are very happy with the win.”

Superb second-half goals by Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa, his sixth of the season, and Lucas Barrios, his seventh, sealed the win.

The hosts had plenty to celebrate in midweek when uncapped defender Marcel Schmelzer, 22, and 18-year-old midfielder Mario Goetze were called into the German squad along with striker Kevin Grosskreutz and defender Mats Hummels.

Goetze wasted the best chance of the first half when Schmelzer fired in a cross, but the teenager could not connect cleanly with the chance and the opportunity went begging.

With his side top of the league, coach Jurgen Klopp seems to be feeling the pressure when he clashed angrily with the fourth official when a decision went against his side in the first-half.

Dortmund took the lead when Kagawa rifled in a shot from the edge of the penalty area which took a deflection off Hamburg’s Germany defender Heiko Westermann and flew into the net on 49 minutes.

Barrios compounded Hamburg’s misery when he tapped home a cross from Grosskreutz on 70 minutes after Dortmund had ripped apart the Hamburg defence.

The defeat leaves Hamburg seventh in the table. (Afp)

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