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Nelsinho Piquet dropped by Renault

An inside F1 source has alerted Sargeant Sport News to the fact that Nelsinho Piquet may have been dropped by the Renault F1 team, just after Torro Rosso announced that they had had enough with Sebastien Bourdais and removed him from his race seat. According to the source – a  Brazilian journalist  an official announcement is expected to be made by Renault tomorrow, replacing Piquet with Renault test driver Romain Grosjean.

In Piquet Jr.’s 28 F1 races, he has scored just 19pts, with his highest ever finish being 2^nd at the German Grand Prix in 2008.

However this may not spell the end of Piquet Jr.’s F1 career however, as his father – former world champion Nelson Sr. has said that his son is close to completing a deal with another F1 team to stay in the category next year – possibly Williams.

There is also a possibility that Piquet Jr. who currently runs a team in the GP2 series, may want to bring his own team into F1. These rumours were sparked by Piquet Jr. saying on his official Twitter page he liked the name Piquet F1. However if this was to come true would he be driving for Piquet F1, or involved in some managerial capacity?

Hungarian Grand Prix – Report

By Imran Ashraf

Lewis Hamilton claimed his first Grand Prix win for himself and McLaren since last year’s Chinese Grand Prix as he took the chequered flag in the Hungarian Grand Prix to become the first driver to win a Grand Prix with KERS.

The Reigning World Champion took advantage of Fernando Alonso’s misfortune. Alonso made a good start but as he came in for his first pit stop on lap 11 he was released before the right front wheel had been fully attached and it came loose on turn nine, bouncing across the track. This caused damage to his Renault and he was forced to retire.

Hamilton took the lead and dominated the race to get back to the sort of form that won him the championship last year. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen had a great start along with Hamilton with their KERS system but Raikkonen couldn’t challenge him so he finished 2^nd.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber followed up his maiden victory at the German Grand Prix with a 3^rd place finish in Hungary. He now moves up to 2^nd in the Drivers Championship as his team-mate Sebastian Vettel retired on lap 30 after he suffered a front suspension failure.

Championship Leader Jenson Button finished 7^th which is his worst race result of the season. Button’s team-mate Rubens Barrichello finished out of the points in 10^th.

Nico Rosberg was 4^th for Williams ahead of Hamilton’s team-mate Heikki Kovalainen. Toyota’s Timo Glock finished 6^th followed by Button and the second Toyota of Jarno Trulli who finished in the final points position.

 Debutant Jaime Alguersuari completed the race in his Toro Rosso in 15^th ahead of team-mate Sebastian Buemi.

Farewell Steven de Jongh!

Today dutch rider of team Quickstep, sprinter Steven de Jongh rode in his final stage ever in le Tour de France barring a Lance Armstrong style comeback. Here at Sargeant Sport News we would just like to thank Steven for giving us such an entertaining career spanning 15 years and has included winning stages in the Tirenno-Adriatico and winning Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne last year. We also thank Steven for his updates and an insight into his life on tour via Twitter and we wish Steven well in his future.

Below: Steven de Jongh leads the peloton in his final tour stage.

Le Tour – Stage 21 report

Alberto Contador confirmed his win in le Tour de France 2009 for the 2^nd time, however it was Mark Cavendish who won in a sprint on the Champs-Elysees by a huge margin.  The Columbia-HTC sprint tactic was so effective that Cavendish’s lead-out Mark Renshaw finished 2^nd. Finishing 3^rd was Garmin-Slipstream’s Tyler Farrar.

So the final GC ended up with Alberto Contador winning by 4’11’’ to Andy Schleck. Finishing 3^rd was Lance Armstrong 5’24’’ behind and 4^th was Bradley Wiggins 6’01’’ who rode an amazing tour, and is my nomination for the most impressive rider this year. Rounding off the top 5 was Frank Schleck, who lost 6’04’’.

So Contador won yellow by 4’11’’ to Andy Schleck, Thor Hushovd won green by 10 pts to Mark Cavendish, Astana were the best team by 22’35’’ to Garmin-Slipstream, Franco Pellizotti won the polka-dot jersey and Andy Schleck won white for being the best young rider  by 3’24’’ to Vicenzo Nibali. The most combative rider on today’s stage was Fumiyuki Beppu and the most combative rider overall in this year’s tour is ‘King of the Mountains’ Franco Pellizotti.

I hope you have enjoyed the coverage of Le Tour 2009 on Sargeant Sports News – I have certainly enjoyed bringing it to you. Join us for our next cycling coverage from Friday  21^st August to Sunday 23^rd August in the Tour of Ireland – just two of the big names registered for this tour are Lance Armstrong and Mark Cavendish so don’t miss it!

Le Tour – Stage 20 report

On today’s penultimate stage of le Tour de France 2009, it was Spaniard Juan Manuel Garate who tamed the extremely difficult Mont Ventoux after a near all day break. Testament to its difficulty is the fact that it is where British all-rounder Tom Simpson died 1967. Finishing 2^nd 3’’ behind was Garate’s fellow all day escapist Tony Martin and rolling home 3^rd 38’’ back was Andy Schleck, who finished in the same group as maillot jaune Alberto Contador.

So Alberto Contador holds the maillot jaune and will hold his lead in the GC at the end of the final stage tomorrow to Paris, barring any major disaster, as will every other rider. 2^nd place in the GC 4’11’’ back is Andy Schleck. Armstrong did enough today to stay 3^rd and Bradley Wiggins 4^th – these riders finished 5’24’’ and 6’01’’ back respectively. 5^th in the GC is Frank Schleck, 6’04’’ back.

Contador will continue to wear yellow and almost certainly  will be winner of the jersey at the end of tomorrow’s final stage, as will Thor Hushovd with the green jersey. Franco Pellizotti has confirmed the ‘King of the Mountains’ title, and Andy Schleck like Contador will almost certainly be wearing an overall classification jersey on the podium tomorrow, although Schleck’s will be white as he is the best young rider. The best team that also should be on the podium in Paris tomorrow is Astana as they lead by 22’35’’ over Garmin-Slipstream. The final rider to wear the red dossard in this year’s tour tomorrow for being the most combative rider on today’s stage will be Tony Martin.

Le Tour – Stage 19 report

Mark Cavendish won today’s 19^th stage of le Tour de France in a sprint finish to become the British rider with the most stage wins in le Tour, beating Barry Hoban’s record. Thor Hushovd finished 2^nd and Gerald Ciolek 3^rd. There was a 4’’ advantage gained over all the GC candidates for Lance Armstrong on the stage as he finished in the group with the winners, while other favourites finished 4’’ behind, although this gain will have no immediate impact on the GC.

So there is no huge change in the GC, Contador stays in yellow by 4’11’’ to Andy Schleck in 2^nd and Armstrong is 3^rd 5’21’’ back now. Despite today’s win Thor Hushovd stays in green by 260pts to 2^nd place Mark Cavendish’s 235pts. Astana are the best team, Pellizotti is still holder of the polka-dot jersey by 196pts to 2^nd place Martinez’s 135pts. Andy Schleck is the best young rider by 3’04’’ to 2^nd place Vicenzo Nibali and the rider who will wear the red dossard tomorrow for being the most combative rider on today’s stage will be Leonardo Duque.

Le Tour – Stage 18 report

Alberto Contador won the individual time trial on stage 17 around Lake Annecy, to increase his lead at the top of the general classification. Finishing 2^nd was former world and Swiss time trial champion and stage 1 winner, Fabian Cancellara who was 3’’ behind. Rounding off the top 3 was Team Katusha’s Mikhail Ignatiev who lost 15’’.

Following today’s stage Contador leads the GC by a mammoth 4’11’’ to 2^nd place Andy Schleck. Lance Armstrong did enough on today’s stage to move up to 3^rd 5’25’’ back. 5’36’’ of the pace is Bradley Wiggins is 4^th and Andreas Kloden is 5^th with 5’38’’ to make up.

So Contador stays in yellow, Hushovd holds his 30 point lead to stay in green, Astana remain the best team by 16’14’’. Franco Pellizotti continues to lead the king of the mountains classification by 196pts to 2^nd place Egoi Martinez’s 118pts and finally, Andy Schleck is still the best young rider by 3’04’’ to Vicenzo Nibali.

Le Tour – Stage 17 report

On the mountainous stage 16 of le Tour de France, it was the Luxemburg duo of brothers – Frank and Andy Schleck who came up trumps, though it was the elder sibling – Frank who took the stage win. Finishing 2^nd was the maillot jaune Alberto Contador and 3^rd was Andy Schleck. That trio finished together, alone at the front. Nibali finished 4^th with Lance Armstrong 5^th. Nibali and Armstrong lost 2’18’’. Bradley Wiggins rolled home 7^th, 3’07’’ behind.

Following today’s stage, Contador leads the GC by 2’26’’ to 2^nd place Andy Schleck and 3’25’’ to 3^rd Frank Schleck. Lance Armstrong is 4^th 3’55’’ back. Andreas Kloden is 5^th 4’44’’ off the pace. Brad Wiggins rounds off the top 6, 4’53’’ behind, although these positions will all change following tomorrow’s 40.5 kilometres of individual time trialling around Lake Annecy.

So wearing yellow will be Contador, wearing green will be Hushovd who has almost secured the maillot vert after the Norwegian went out and won the intermediate sprints on today’s stage. The best team is Astana, the polka-dot jersey holder is Pellizotti who has also almost definitely secured the title of ‘The King of the Mountains’. The best young rider is Andy Schleck by 2’43’’ to Vicenzo Nibali and the rider who will wear the red dossard tomorrow for being the most combative rider on today’s stage is the points competition leader Thor Hushovd.

Le Tour – Stage 16 report

Euskaltel-Euskadi’s Mikel Astarloza today won the mountainous stage 16 in Le Tour after a breakaway. Finishing 2^nd 6’’ back was Sandy Casar and 3^rd was Pierrick Fedrigo. The maillot jaune and GC candidates lost 59’’ though Cadel Evans lost 3’55’’ and Denis Menchov lost a disastrous 16’40’’.

Following today’s stage Contador retains yellow by 1’37’’ to 2^nd place Lance Armstrong and 1’46’’ to Bradley Wiggins who continues his spectacular conversion from a track to a road rider. Thor Hushovd retains the green jersey by 18 points to Mark Cavendish. Astana are the best team. Pellizotti will continue to wear the polka dot jersey. Andy Schleck is the best young rider by 25’’ to Vicenzo Nibali and the rider who will wear the red dossard for being the most combative rider is today’s stage will be the current polka dot jersey holder Franco Pellizotti.