The Manila Times

Marquez defies injury to qualify fifth for Valencia MotoGP

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CHESTE, Spain: World champion Marc Marquez battled bravely through injury to qualify fifth for the season- ending Valencia MotoGP on Saturday ( Sunday in Manila) behind pole- sitter Maverick Vinales, as the retiring Dani Pedrosa had to settle for ninth ahead of his farewell race.

Marquez dislocated a shoulder, which he has injured several times before, most recently while celebratin­g after clinching the world title in Japan last month, when sliding out on his first qualifying lap.

He staggered back to his feet and jogged to the Honda pits clutching his left arm as it hung unnaturall­y at his side.

After receiving help pushing the joint back into place, the Spaniard returned to the track to seal a spot on the second row.

“It was a fall that I wasn’t expecting at all because I wasn’t pushing,” said Marquez, who has already secured a fifth top- class world crown.

“I can be satisfied with fifth. I feel ready to fight for the podium, and why not for the victory.”

Yamaha’s Vinales seized pole as he looks to finish third in the riders’ standings ahead of Valentino Rossi, with Alex Rins second on the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste circuit.

Italian Andrea Dovizioso completed the front row of the grid.

Vinales was only 11th- fastest after practice and had to go through the repechage to get into the final qualifying.

“It’s incredible, it’s been a very good weekend, we’re working very Repsol Honda’s Spanish rider Marc Marquez dies a wheelie during the third MotoGP free practice session of the Valencia Grand Prix at the Ricardo Tormo racetrack in Cheste on Sunday.

well, I’m super happy,” Vinales told Movistar. “It would be impressive if could make the podium.”

Pedrosa’s bid to leave profession­al motorcycli­ng with a 32nd MotoGP win suffered a blow, as Marquez’s Honda team- mate could only qualify ninth.

“I did my best but didn’t manage to get a better position for tomorrow,” said the 33- year- old.

“If it rains tomorrow track conditions will be the key... So let’s wait and see how the weather is and see what we can do tomorrow.”

?? AFP PHOTO AFP ?? Rams coach Sean McVay, meanwhile, acknowledg­es that Chiefs quarterbac­k Mahomes has been close to unplayable at times this year.“I think what you’re seeing is a great player,” McVay said. “He’s made some plays that you just sit back and you can’t help but just say, ‘Wow, what a great play.’”After a stellar season to date, some observers have wondered whether Mahomes-Goff is poised to be the next great quarterbac­k rivalry of the NFL, the heirs apparent to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.“I’m terrible at predicting the future, but it would look that way, right?” said Chiefs coach Reid. “They’re not only two good players, but two good guys.“They’re good for their team, they’re good for the league, they’re good for kids that watch them. I think both of them have a real chance to make a mark on the league.” Monday’s game kicks off against a backdrop of twin tragedies that have rocked Southern California in recent weeks.A mass shooting at a nightclub in Thousand Oaks, the Los Angeles suburb that is home to the Rams training base, left 13 dead last week.A day later, Thousand Oaks found itself in the path of a devastatin­g wildfire which has left at least three people dead, destroyed more than 500 buildings and scorched nearly 100,000 acres.Around 90 members of the Rams organizati­on were evacuated during the fire.Following the decision to relocate Monday’s game back to Los Angeles, the Rams are offering free tickets to first responders and community members affected by the recent tragedies.Goff knows only too well the risks involved for the firefighte­rs on the front line, as his father Jerry worked as a fireman in California following a career in Major League Baseball.“My dad has been in a couple of those where it’s all units brought in,” Goff recalled.“You kind of think about for the next few days, what could possibly happen and how it can be dangerous at times.“I hope to see those guys on Monday night and let them know how grateful we are.”A win for the Rams on Monday would keep them firmly in the hunt for top seeding in the NFC.The New Orleans Saints, who handed the Rams their only loss of the season earlier this month, remain their biggest threat.The Saints, who are 8-1 and lead the NFC South, host the Super Bowl champion Philadelph­ia Eagles at the Superdome in the pick of Sunday’s games.
AFP PHOTO AFP Rams coach Sean McVay, meanwhile, acknowledg­es that Chiefs quarterbac­k Mahomes has been close to unplayable at times this year.“I think what you’re seeing is a great player,” McVay said. “He’s made some plays that you just sit back and you can’t help but just say, ‘Wow, what a great play.’”After a stellar season to date, some observers have wondered whether Mahomes-Goff is poised to be the next great quarterbac­k rivalry of the NFL, the heirs apparent to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.“I’m terrible at predicting the future, but it would look that way, right?” said Chiefs coach Reid. “They’re not only two good players, but two good guys.“They’re good for their team, they’re good for the league, they’re good for kids that watch them. I think both of them have a real chance to make a mark on the league.” Monday’s game kicks off against a backdrop of twin tragedies that have rocked Southern California in recent weeks.A mass shooting at a nightclub in Thousand Oaks, the Los Angeles suburb that is home to the Rams training base, left 13 dead last week.A day later, Thousand Oaks found itself in the path of a devastatin­g wildfire which has left at least three people dead, destroyed more than 500 buildings and scorched nearly 100,000 acres.Around 90 members of the Rams organizati­on were evacuated during the fire.Following the decision to relocate Monday’s game back to Los Angeles, the Rams are offering free tickets to first responders and community members affected by the recent tragedies.Goff knows only too well the risks involved for the firefighte­rs on the front line, as his father Jerry worked as a fireman in California following a career in Major League Baseball.“My dad has been in a couple of those where it’s all units brought in,” Goff recalled.“You kind of think about for the next few days, what could possibly happen and how it can be dangerous at times.“I hope to see those guys on Monday night and let them know how grateful we are.”A win for the Rams on Monday would keep them firmly in the hunt for top seeding in the NFC.The New Orleans Saints, who handed the Rams their only loss of the season earlier this month, remain their biggest threat.The Saints, who are 8-1 and lead the NFC South, host the Super Bowl champion Philadelph­ia Eagles at the Superdome in the pick of Sunday’s games.

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