Hull Kingston Rovers ensure they will play in Super League next season as they easily beat relegated Widnes.
Source: BBC Sport
Monthly Archives: September 2018
Ryder Cup 2018: Dustin Johnson holes monster putt as Rory McIlroy has nightmare last hole
Dustin Johnson holes a monster putt for birdie as Rory McIlroy has a nightmare last hole to concede his match with Justin Thomas at the Ryder Cup.
Source: BBC Sport
Mercedes’ team orders blasted by fans as Valtteri Bottas ordered to move aside for Lewis Hamilton in Russian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton moved 50 points clear of Sebastian Vettel by claiming his eighth win of the year in the Russian Grand Prix.
However, controversy was the order of the day in Sochi, with Hamilton only securing the victory due to team orders issued by the Mercedes staff.
Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas was told to let the Brit pass him on lap 26, due to an alleged blister on the former’s tyre.
“You need to let Lewis by into turn 13 this lap,” Bottas‘ race engineer, Tony Ross, said. After the manoeuvre, Mercedes’ chief strategist, James Vowles, explained the decision to Bottas.
“Valtteri, it is James,” he said. “We had a risk with Lewis against [Sebastian] Vettel. He has a small blister (on his tyre). I had to do this to make sure we secured this.”
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Bottas did not reply, and after the race – which finished with Hamilton, Bottas and Vettel in first, second and third respectively – he toed the company line.
“It was a difficult day,” the Finn admitted.
“It was a good result as a team but personally as everyone saw it was quite difficult. Lewis is fighting for the championship so we always have a plan, but it is what it is.”
Mercedes’ team orders did not go down well on social media, with fans criticising chief Toto Wolff for favouring Hamilton over Bottas while the latter was certain to claim a victory.
Controversy at the #RussianGP as Bottas is told to let Hamilton through – and Bottas isn’t happy about it
Race live now on #SkyF1
Watch on Sky Go: https://t.co/4K4quegZMb pic.twitter.com/VEefAdDc25
— Sky Sports F1
(@SkySportsF1) September 30, 2018
Toto Wolff did a bad job probably destroying Bottas’s only chance of win this year#RussianGP
#F1
— #RussianGP
(@Formula1_MotoGP) September 30, 2018
Wolff should have had the balls to speak to Bottas during the race.
— Tejuarr
(@Tejuarr) September 30, 2018
Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport
Pause, rewind & move forward: The inside track on Hoffenheim's novel training methods
The story of Hoffenheim’s dramatic rise and unusual techniques as they prepare to face Manchester City.
Source: BBC Sport
Russian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton wins in Sochi after Valtteri Bottas is told to move out Mercedes team-mate’s way
Lewis Hamilton won the Russian Grand Prix to further extend his championship lead after Mercedes told Valtteri Bottas to move out of his team-mate’s way.
The world champion is now 50 points clear of Sebastian Vettel by taking his eighth and most controversial victory of the year here at the Sochi Autodrom.
Bottas, who had controlled the opening half of the race after retaining his lead from pole position, crossed the line in second ahead of Hamilton’s championship rival Vettel.
Hamilton now has the equivalent of two victories in his pocket with just five rounds remaining and 125 points left to play for.
The 33-year-old Briton made a rare mistake in qualifying on Saturday to allow Bottas to take pole, and the Finn made no mistake in holding off his team-mate and Ferrari’s Vettel on the opening-lap drag race to turn two.
Hamilton was slow out of his starting marks but managed to keep Vettel at bay despite the Ferrari driver drawing alongside his rival at 200 miles per hour.
After 12 laps Bottas was the first of the leaders to pit for new tyres with Vettel following him in a lap later, and Hamilton stopping at the end of lap 14. The Briton, however, emerged behind Vettel.
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“How did that happen?” he asked over the radio as his team boss, Toto Wolff, punched the table in frustration while watching on from the Mercedes garage.
Within moments, Hamilton was crawling all over the back of Vettel’s gearbox with the Ferrari driver forced to defend aggressively on the main straight.
But just two bends later, Hamilton this time made the move stick by diving underneath Vettel at the right-handed fourth turn.
Bottas continued to lead only for the former Williams driver, who started this race 110 points behind Hamilton, to be denied his opening win of the year after he was ordered aside.
“You need to let Lewis by into turn 13 this lap,” Bottas’s race engineer, Tony Ross, said over the radio.
Bottas moved to the right and Hamilton remained on the racing line to assume the net lead. Mercedes chief strategist, James Vowles, was on Bottas’ radio to explain their decision.
“Valtteri, it is James,” he said. “We had a risk with Lewis against Vettel. He has a small blister (on his tyre). I had to do this to make sure we secured this.”
Tellingly there was no response from Bottas.
Max Verstappen, yet to stop for fresh tyres, was in the lead of the race. The Red Bull driver had excelled in the opening phase, moving up nine places from his position of 19th on the grid in a little more than two laps.
The Dutchman, who turned 21 on Sunday, eventually had to come in for new rubber with 10 laps remaining, and Hamilton was back at the front.
Russian president Vladimir Putin arrived at the race in the closing stages to cheers from the crowd. Putin, flanked by Formula One’s former supremo, Bernie Ecclestone, and head of motorsport, Ross Brawn, assumed their seats in the VIP box in the grandstands.
In the closing laps, Bottas was back on the radio, suggesting he should switch places with Hamilton.
“This is how we are going to finish,” the Finn was told. “We will talk after the race.”
Kimi Raikkonen crossed the line in fourth ahead of Verstappen and his Red Bull team-mate Daniel Ricciardo. Ferrari-bound Charles Leclerc finished an impressive seventh.
Source: TalkSport.com Motorsport
WSL: Abbie McManus scores incredible own goal for Man City against Birmingham
Birmingham take an early lead against Manchester City as Abbie McManus’ backpass bounces over goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck in the Women’s Super League.
Source: BBC Sport
China Open: World number one Simona Halep retires due to injury
World number one Simona Halep retires from the China Open in the first round due to injury.
Source: BBC Sport
Is Mourinho's third-season syndrome a myth or is it happening again?
Do Jose Mourinho’s sides really suffer from third-season syndrome? And if so, is it happening at Manchester United?
Source: BBC Sport
History-maker Jonathan Rea takes place among NI sporting greats
Jonathan Rea takes his place among the pantheon of Northern Ireland sporting greats after becoming the first rider to win four successive World Superbike titles.
Source: BBC Sport
Man Utd have 'big decisions to make' after worst start in 29 years – Ferdinand
Manchester United “have big decisions” to make about the future of manager Jose Mourinho, says former defender Rio Ferdinand.
Source: BBC Sport