The Malaysian Insider

VALENCIA, Nov 7 – Ducati rider Casey Stoner maintained his excellent end of season form to clinch pole position for the Valencia Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Australian, who missed three races with a mystery illness before coming back last month to win at home at Phillip Island and in Malaysia, clocked the fastest lap of 1:32:256 at the season-ending event in Spain.

Honda’s Dani Pedrosa was second fastest on 1:32:519 ahead of Spanish compatriot Jorge Lorenzo (1:32:537) and Lorenzo’s Yamaha team mate and world champion Valentino Rossi in fourth (1:32:922).

KUALA TERENGGANU, 7 Nov – Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin was among 100 riders who started their campaign at the Sultan of Terengganu Cup Endurance Challenge held at the Terengganu International Endurance Park (TIEP), Lembah Bidong, Setiu here today.

Tuanku Mizan, representing Royal Terengganu Endurance Stable (RTES) together with 12 others, started the endurance challenge astride Jakim Murphy in the 120km race which started at 5pm. The race which is expected to end tomorrow morning, saw riders from Thailand, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay and the United States participating.

The race which started under ideal weather conditions is expected to remain competitive as the wet conditions due to the rainy spell brought by the monsoon season, would provide an ideal condition for the horses.

LONDON, Nov 7 — Tottenham Hotspur and London arch-rivals Chelsea put the issue of stadium naming rights on the agenda this week after both clubs revealed plans to tap the sponsorship market in their bid to compete.

"It's suddenly now two (Premier League) clubs in London looking for naming-rights partners and potential sponsors have got a choice. They've got two very different propositions," said Tottenham's executive director Paul Barber.

LONDON, Nov 7 — “Keep watching us — we’re going to get even better!”

That’s the message from Manchester City midfielder Nigel De Jong for his team’s growing army of fans all over the world.

In the past, City has been forced to live in the shadow of its more famous cross-town neighbour, Manchester United. But times are changing and, on the back of massive financial investment from new Abu Dhabi-based owner Sheikh Mansour, the team managed by former United striker Mark Hughes is threatening to reset the balance of power in English football.

GUADALAJARA (Mexico), Nov 7 — Toronto was awarded the 2015 Pan American Games yesterday by beating the South American capitals Bogota and Lima on the first ballot.

Toronto, which has twice failed in bids to land the Summer Olympics, has budgeted US$2.4 billion (RM8.4 billion) for the Games that will be spread out across 16 other southern Ontario municipalities.

"I'm sure it was a very difficult decision for voters," Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said.