Event of the Day: Japanese MotoGP
Our event of the day...
is the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix at Twin Ring Motegi - around 140km North of Tokyo. Johann Zarco of Monster Yamaha Tech 3 took only his second ever pole in qualifying yesterday, with the Frenchman putting in an impressive performance in tricky conditions that proved tough to handle for some of this season’s leading riders, Danilo Petrucci (OCTO Pramac Racing) claimed second position. Seven-time World Champion Valentino Rossi could only finish in twelfth position after suffering a crash when he gambled by starting the session on slick tyres. With a surprise leader at the start of today’s race, it will be interesting to see who will come out on top.
Reigning champion and current world standings leader Marc Márquez (Repsol Honda) will be looking to extend his 16 point lead with a win today to match his victory here in 2016. He has qualified in third on the grid after strong times from Zarco and Petrucci, Marquez clocking 0.434 seconds slower than the lap that gave Zarco pole. As the home of some of the biggest manufacturers of the sport in Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, Japan has always had a special place in the MotoGP calendar. This pedigree and the tricky conditions should make for a thrilling race in the cloudy cauldron of Motegi.
Honourable mentions...
around the globe go to the Premier League fixture between Brighton and Everton at the Amex Stadium. Both teams are level on points but Everton will be disappointed with their start to the season based on the amount of money spent on new players in the summer. The European Rugby Champions Cup continues as Toulon host Scarlets at Stade Félix Mayol. It’s the conclusion of the US PGA Tour Champions SAS Championship at Prestonwood Country Club and the PGA European Tour Italian Open in Milan.
It’s the final of the ATP Shanghai Masters as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal meet again. In MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers host the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium for the latest instalment of the National League Championship Series. There are twelve games in the NFL including the San Francisco 49ers travelling to FedExField to take on the Washington Redskins. The UCI World Tour Presidential Tour of Turkey reaches its conclusion in Istanbul. There are three games in the NHL with the action beginning at the T-Mobile Arena as the Vegas Golden Knights host the Boston Bruins.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Fixture
Photos by MotoGP