Motorcycling-Bastianini and Espargaro to race for KTM Tech3 in Brno
(Reuters) -Enea Bastianini will race for KTM Tech3 at this weekend's Czech Grand Prix after recovering from illness and Pol Espargaro steps in for the injured Maverick Vinales, the MotoGP team said on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old Italian, who joined Tech3 from Ducati last year, missed the German Grand Prix but is expected to return to the track on Friday in practice for Sunday's race in Brno.
"It was really tough for me to remain in bed for so long and unable to join the team at the German Grand Prix, but I gave myself the time to recover properly in order to arrive in Brno in good shape," Bastianini said in a statement.
Spaniard Vinales had surgery on Sunday for a fractured left shoulder, paving the way for compatriot Espargaro to make his return with Tech3, a team he debuted with in MotoGP back in 2014.
"It's been a long time since our last visit to Brno, which is a fantastic track," Espargaro said.
"The last time we raced here I felt super-good in my best period with KTM so let's see how it is with the new surface."
(Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Alison Williams)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Freestyle skiing-Norway's Olympic medallist Gronvold dies at 49 after lightning strike
(Reuters) -Olympic ski cross bronze medallist Audun Gronvold has died at the age of 49 after being struck by lightning during a cabin trip, the Norwegian Ski Federation said on Wednesday. Gronvold was rushed to hospital and received treatment for his injuries but died late on Tuesday, it added. Born in Hamar, Gronvold won bronze medals in men's ski cross at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and 2005 World Ski Championships. He was a national team athlete in alpine skiing from the 1993-94 to the 2003-04 season. "Norwegian skiing has lost a remarkable figure who has meant so much to both the alpine and freestyle communities," federation president Tove Moe Dyrhaug said. "Audun had a great career in both alpine skiing and ski cross, before he became a national team coach in ski cross. The Norwegian Ski Association also remembers his efforts on the ski board. There will be a big void after Audun." (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Goa; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
New Straits Times
3 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Pogacar crashes before anti-Israel protester disrupts Tour stage finale
TOULOUSE, France: Defending champion Tadej Pogacar suffered a crash on the 11th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, moments before a protester disrupted the sprint finish where Norway's Jonas Abrahamsen claimed his first Tour stage victory. Slovenian Pogacar went down about five kilometres from the line after touching wheels with another rider but quickly remounted and the peloton eased off to allow the overall race favourite to rejoin. Pogacar thanked the group after crossing the finish line, apparently unhurt and without losing time. "I'm quite okay, a bit beaten up, but we've been through worse days, so it's been a hectic day actually from start to finish," the UAE Team Emirates-XRG leader said. "In the end, I had a little bit of a crash, and thanks to the peloton in front, they actually waited, obviously the race was more or less over back there, but still, they could have taken time. "Really big respect to everybody in front. Thanks for your support, guys." Team doctor Adrian Rotunno said Pogacar had been cleared to continue the race. "After a full examination post-stage, fortunately Tadej suffered no serious injury. No concussion or fractures. He has some general bruising, and abrasions to his left forearm and hip, but is otherwise okay," Rotunno said. "We will continue to monitor him, but at this stage he is medically cleared to continue racing." Ireland's Ben Healy, who retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, said he had a brief chat with two-time Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard, seen as Pogacar's main rival for the title, and both agreed they should wait for the Slovenian. OTHER PROTESTS As the stage reached its dramatic conclusion, a protester wearing a T-shirt reading "Israel out of the Tour" and waving a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf ran onto the final straight, less than 25 metres from the line. He was swiftly tackled by a security officer as Abrahamsen edged out Swiss national champion Mauro Schmid in a two-man sprint for the win. "I broke my collarbone four weeks ago. I cried at the hospital because I thought I wouldn't make it to the Tour de France," Abrahamsen said. "I hoped, and every day I did everything I could to come back. To stand here in the Tour de France and have won a stage is amazing." Tour organisers declined to comment on the protest while the Israel-Premier Tech team — which has no Israeli riders in this year's race — told Reuters they would issue a statement later on Wednesday. The protest came amid rising tensions over Israel's military operations in Gaza, where more than 58,000 Palestinians have been killed since October 2023, according to Gaza health authorities. Almost 1,650 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed as a result of the conflict, including 1,200 killed in the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, by Israeli tallies. Sources with a direct knowledge of the matter have told Reuters that other protests are planned on the Tour route. The day began at a blistering pace, with a five-man breakaway quickly forming ahead of a second group featuring classics specialists Mathieu van der Poel and Wout van Aert. The peloton eventually backed off, allowing the front of the race to shape the outcome. On the punishing final climb — an 800-metre ascent averaging 12.4% — Abrahamsen and Schmid emerged at the front. Van der Poel launched a fierce pursuit but fell short. The focus now shifts to Thursday's stage 12, which brings the Tour's first high-mountain showdown with a summit finish on the legendary Hautacam and all eyes will be on Pogacar the day after his crash.
New Straits Times
4 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Emotion, unity and drive help Italy end 28-year wait to reach Euro semi-finals
GENEVA: Team unity drove Italy to end their 28-year wait to reach the semi-finals of the Women's European Championship, Italian midfielder Giada Greggi told Reuters after their 2-1 quarter-final win over Norway. "I think the humility, the fact that we are a united group, showing our qualities, that's what made this important result and we brought it home," Greggi, who came off the bench in the 77th minute of Wednesday's encounter, said. The raucous Italian crowd urged their players on, with chants of "forza Italia" and the Stade de Geneve lit up when Cristiana Girelli found the net twice in the second half, including a 90th-minute winner. "There were a lot of emotions in that (second) goal. It was the whole journey we took, the sacrifices we made and in the end we reached the semi-final," Greggi stated. "It was a fantastic feeling. We almost didn't believe it at the end of the game," said Michela Cambiaghi who also came on in the 77th minute. Italy defender Elena Linari said the 35-year-old Girelli was an inspiration for the team. "Now we're going to put Girelli in a display case to rest for the semi-final - she deserves it all, and she's such a huge inspiration for us," Linari said. It was the first time since 1997 that Italy had reached the semi-finals at a European Championship. "It was achieved with effort and many sacrifices ... today we have shown that we can do very well," Greggi said. Before the match Italy's coach asked his team to close their eyes and think back to the first time they had touched a football, Barbara Bonansea said. "The feeling I have now is exactly the same. The stadium was packed, the energy was incredible. This achievement fills my heart," she added. Italy will face either England or Sweden in the semi-final.
