Motorsport: Marquez ends Ducati winning streak

The win was the sixth of the season for Marquez and ended Ducati’s run of three consecutive wins with Dovizioso and teammate Jorge Lorenzo going back to the Czech race in early August.

Marquez was always the favourite in front of an adoring Spanish home crowd but Lorenzo secured pole position as the Ducati duo threaten to continue their winning ways. But Lorenzo’s race ended at the first corner, with the Spaniard thrown from his bike in a controversial clash that he blamed on Marquez.

That left Dovizioso in front with Marquez happy to sit in second until the dying laps. He pounced with six laps to go, but Dovizioso fought back and the two swapped positions numerous times before the Honda rider got ahead and made it stick.

The Suzuki duo of Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins were able to catch the leading pair as the fought but didn’t have the pace to fight for the win and finished third and fourth.

Australia’s Jack Miller was ninth in a strong weekend for the Pramac Ducati rider, but he lost eighth place to a hard-charging Valentino Rossi in the final laps.

Marquez leads Dovizioso by 72-points with five races remaining. Given his strong form this season only a serious injury stands between him and his fifth MotoGP world title in only six seasons in the premier class.

Supercars: Used Holden Commodore for sale

Looking for a second-hand example of the new ZB generation Holden Commodore? Well a low-kays example only used on weekend’s is set to go under the hammer at the upcoming Lloyd’s International auction.

It’s the Walkinshaw Andretti United (WAU) machine driven by Scott Pye in this year’s Supercars championship. It’s the same car (Chassis 24) that Pye used to win his maiden Supercars race at Albert Park earlier this season.

However, there’s a small catch - Pye needs to keep using it until the end of the 2019 racing season. So the new owner will have to wait until it’s done with its full-time racing life before taking delivery.

The team will allow the winning bidder to come along and see it racing in person during next year’s schedule, including VIP hospitality at the Bathurst 1000.

WAU co-team principal Bruce Stewart explained the decision to sell the still active racing car was inspired by the the Andretti Autosport Indycar team.

“It’s something that hasn’t been seen in Supercars before, it’s innovative and ground-breaking, so to be the pioneers locally is a real honour,” Stewart said. “It’s something we’ve seen work well through our counterparts in America, Andretti Autosport, so we are really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve.

“To own a Walkinshaw Andretti United built and prepared car is a rare opportunity, so it’s thrilling to be able to give the public the chance, especially a car with so much significance.

“Not only that, but the added benefits means the owner will be part of the team, as their car takes the track.”

Formula E: Teams prepare for new season

The 2018-19 Formula E season isn’t set to begin until December but teams are already getting set for the fifth season of all-electric racing. The new year brings the all-new Gen.2 car as well as new teams and drivers.

Newcomers Nissan has confirmed its driver pairing, having taken over the Renault entry, with Sebastien Buemi staying at the e.DAMS run outfit despite the manufacturer switch, where he’ll be partnered by Formula Two racer Alexander Albon.

Jaguar has retained New Zealander Mitch Evans and season one champion Nelson Piquet Jr in a bid to secure its first win since joining the series at the start of season three.

“Last season was our best to date and I scored some personal records including our first podium in Hong Kong and pole position in Zurich,” said Evans. “The team have worked really hard in to make sure the Jaguar I-TYPE 3 will be competitive. We want to be fighting at the front of the grid in every race. We showed signs of this last season and have higher expectations for Season 5.”

BMW recently revealed its new official entry, in partnership with Andretti Autosport, which will see Alexander Sims and Antonio Felix da Costa behind the wheel.

Virgin Racing has only confirmed title contender Sam Bird will be back with his teammate still a mystery. However, the squad has confirmed it will switch to an Audi-supplied powertrain after French firm DS Automobiles switched its factory support to the Techeetah team.

Several other teams including the Mercedes-blessed HWA squad, Mahindra Racing and Dragon Racing have yet to confirm drivers.