So after all the hype surrounding the first Formula One race of the season it turned out to be a bit of a damp squib. Over taking seemed virtually impossible, apart from on the first lap of the race when Fernando Alonso took advantage of a sluggish start by team-mate Felipe Massa to get into second place behind Sebastien Vettel.
The only way teams seemed to be able to gain an advantage over each other was when they brought their drivers in to change their tyres, and the lack of excitement doesn’t bode well for the rest of the season.
For the two British drivers on the grid it was a weekend of contrasting fortunes as Lewis Hamilton dominated his team-mate to gain an unlikely place on the podium while Jenson Button trailed home in seventh place.
It was also a difficult weekend for Michael Schumacher who found himself out performed by his team mate Nico Rosberg, in qualifying and then in the race itself. He also made his feelings clear that he was unhappy with the new regulations regarding fuels and tyres that make the car more difficult to manage and therefore make overtaking all but impossible.
And despite claims that this year could see one of the most closely fought competition for many years I think it is clear that the two best drivers on the grid this year are Fernando Alonso at Ferrari and Sebastien Vettel in the Red Bull, and the winner of the World Championship will be the one who has the most reliability from their car.
As a fan of the sport we can only hope that the next 18 races of the season are going to be more exciting than the first.
Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Saturday, 2 January 2010
A loss to the game
It is a tragedy that Dean Ashton has had to call time on his career at such a tender age.
The 26 year old former West Ham and England striker decided to retire after a persistent three year battle with injury after sustaining a broken ankle in a tackle with Shaun Wright Phillips on England duty in August 2006.
Ashton had started his career at Dario Gradi’s Crewe Alexandra, the latest in a long line of talented youngsters to make their name at the club.
After catching the eye in a prolific partnership with fellow frontman Rob Hulse, Ashton secured a transfer to Premier League strugglers Norwich City.
He was an instant hit with the fans there, with his bustling aggressive style and penchant for scoring important goals encouraging comparisons with Alan Shearer.
After Norwich’s relegation on the final day of the season it was inevitable that somebody of his skill and ability would attract interest from top flight clubs and it was West Ham who eventually came calling.
His form there continued to be strong leading to that fateful England call up for Steve Maclaren’s first game in charge against Greece.
It was in training that Ashton found himself on the receiving end of a tackle from Wright-Phillips that was, eventually, to cut short his career.
He later made a brief recovery for West Ham that led to an England call up by Fabio Capello that saw him pick up his one and only cap in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
Rumours abounded last month that he was set to retire but no official confirmation came until the end of last month.
It was a sad end to what could have been a brilliant career.
The 26 year old former West Ham and England striker decided to retire after a persistent three year battle with injury after sustaining a broken ankle in a tackle with Shaun Wright Phillips on England duty in August 2006.
Ashton had started his career at Dario Gradi’s Crewe Alexandra, the latest in a long line of talented youngsters to make their name at the club.
After catching the eye in a prolific partnership with fellow frontman Rob Hulse, Ashton secured a transfer to Premier League strugglers Norwich City.
He was an instant hit with the fans there, with his bustling aggressive style and penchant for scoring important goals encouraging comparisons with Alan Shearer.
After Norwich’s relegation on the final day of the season it was inevitable that somebody of his skill and ability would attract interest from top flight clubs and it was West Ham who eventually came calling.
His form there continued to be strong leading to that fateful England call up for Steve Maclaren’s first game in charge against Greece.
It was in training that Ashton found himself on the receiving end of a tackle from Wright-Phillips that was, eventually, to cut short his career.
He later made a brief recovery for West Ham that led to an England call up by Fabio Capello that saw him pick up his one and only cap in a friendly against Trinidad and Tobago.
Rumours abounded last month that he was set to retire but no official confirmation came until the end of last month.
It was a sad end to what could have been a brilliant career.
Friday, 13 November 2009
Pushed to the limit
Burn out is one of those phrases in sport that divides opinion. Many people believe that sportsmen and women are very well paid for what they do and that tiredness shouldn’t be an issue. However there is a growing minority of people who are becoming more sympathetic to the stresses and strains placed on an athlete’s body in modern day sport.
Andrew Flintoff is one such example of a sportsman who has seen his career cut short and curtailed by injury. Though he still plans to make a comeback in the one day form of the game there are many who feel that he may never play at the top level of sport again.
However one interesting example that I came across while looking more into this was that of Australian Moto GP rider Casey Stoner. In the middle of the 2009 season whilst chasing Valentino Rossi for another title Stoner announced that he was set to take a mid season break in order to recover from a mystery illness.
There was much speculation about what was afflicting Stoner but the general consensus was that he was suffering from burnout. He is renowned in the Moto GP world for being one of the fittest competitors on the track and it was believed that he had simply overdone it in his quest to be as physically fit as possible.
He had complained of feeling nauseous and exhausted during races and was eventually diagnosed with mild anaemia and gastritis.
Despite finally finding out what had been making him so unwell the question still remained as to what could cause a 24 year old to endure such problems and the answer comes again back to overtraining. The reason for this was pressure to succeed. In a sport that has been dominated by the quite brilliant Valentino Rossi for years, it is crying out for someone to come and mount a serious long term challenge at the top of the sport and for many that man is Casey Stoner. But it seemed that he has overdone it in his quest for success, and he won’t be the last sportsman to do so.
Andrew Flintoff is one such example of a sportsman who has seen his career cut short and curtailed by injury. Though he still plans to make a comeback in the one day form of the game there are many who feel that he may never play at the top level of sport again.
However one interesting example that I came across while looking more into this was that of Australian Moto GP rider Casey Stoner. In the middle of the 2009 season whilst chasing Valentino Rossi for another title Stoner announced that he was set to take a mid season break in order to recover from a mystery illness.
There was much speculation about what was afflicting Stoner but the general consensus was that he was suffering from burnout. He is renowned in the Moto GP world for being one of the fittest competitors on the track and it was believed that he had simply overdone it in his quest to be as physically fit as possible.
He had complained of feeling nauseous and exhausted during races and was eventually diagnosed with mild anaemia and gastritis.
Despite finally finding out what had been making him so unwell the question still remained as to what could cause a 24 year old to endure such problems and the answer comes again back to overtraining. The reason for this was pressure to succeed. In a sport that has been dominated by the quite brilliant Valentino Rossi for years, it is crying out for someone to come and mount a serious long term challenge at the top of the sport and for many that man is Casey Stoner. But it seemed that he has overdone it in his quest for success, and he won’t be the last sportsman to do so.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Battling back
“Keeping the faith. That’s what counts. Holding true to what matters is the key to a decent and meaningful life. And we can all keep the faith- as long as things go our way. It’s when things go against us that trouble is doubled. That’s because we not only suffer from bad times, we also question the faith that sustains us. And no matter what form it takes, faith matters.”
These were the words of Simon Barnes writing in The Times on Friday as Jonny Wilkinson was on the verge of making his long awaited comeback in an England shirt. The words undoubtedly apply to Wilkinson who has shown amazing courage and resilience as he has fought back from injury after injury. However if there is one sportsman who has to show strength in the face of continued adversity it is surely England cricketer Simon Jones.
Jones, who last played a Test match for England during the glorious Ashes summer in 2005 missed the whole of the 2009 season with an injury but is finally on the verge of making a comeback after signing a three year deal with Hampshire.
In an interview with Sky Sports Jones said that he just wants to get back playing but that he also still harbours hopes of a return to the England set up.
“I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to play for England again but the main thing for me is to play. First and foremost I’ve got to concentrate on my stuff with Hampshire and get back playing. This year was a bit of a nightmare.”
Jones is one of those players who you can’t help but think what might have been. He was, at his peak, a frightening bowler. He bowled with fearsome pace and aggression and had the uncanny ability to make the ball swing both ways. In 2005 Australia couldn’t handle him and had he stayed fit he would have been approaching 300 Test match wickets rather than being stuck on 59. But despite injury after injury he continues to fight back. He continues to keep the faith, both in himself and his own ability.
Barnes continues: “In our own lives, we have all known times that test us, that tempt us to give up, to blame others, to abandon the things that matter. Some people go through extreme and terrible experiences, others have better luck. But we all know about hard times.”
Simon Jones certainly does. But he keeps on bouncing back and one day I fervently hope that he will be back in an England shirt terrorising the best batsmen in the world.
These were the words of Simon Barnes writing in The Times on Friday as Jonny Wilkinson was on the verge of making his long awaited comeback in an England shirt. The words undoubtedly apply to Wilkinson who has shown amazing courage and resilience as he has fought back from injury after injury. However if there is one sportsman who has to show strength in the face of continued adversity it is surely England cricketer Simon Jones.
Jones, who last played a Test match for England during the glorious Ashes summer in 2005 missed the whole of the 2009 season with an injury but is finally on the verge of making a comeback after signing a three year deal with Hampshire.
In an interview with Sky Sports Jones said that he just wants to get back playing but that he also still harbours hopes of a return to the England set up.
“I’d be lying if I said I don’t want to play for England again but the main thing for me is to play. First and foremost I’ve got to concentrate on my stuff with Hampshire and get back playing. This year was a bit of a nightmare.”
Jones is one of those players who you can’t help but think what might have been. He was, at his peak, a frightening bowler. He bowled with fearsome pace and aggression and had the uncanny ability to make the ball swing both ways. In 2005 Australia couldn’t handle him and had he stayed fit he would have been approaching 300 Test match wickets rather than being stuck on 59. But despite injury after injury he continues to fight back. He continues to keep the faith, both in himself and his own ability.
Barnes continues: “In our own lives, we have all known times that test us, that tempt us to give up, to blame others, to abandon the things that matter. Some people go through extreme and terrible experiences, others have better luck. But we all know about hard times.”
Simon Jones certainly does. But he keeps on bouncing back and one day I fervently hope that he will be back in an England shirt terrorising the best batsmen in the world.
Monday, 19 October 2009
Mission Accomplished
Just a short article to congratulate Jenson Button on his magnificent achievement in becoming Formula One World Champion.
Button is a role model to anybody taking part in any form of sport. An example that persistence and belief in your own ability will pay off if you never give up.
He hasn’t had it easy in his career. Bursting on to the scene as a raw, prodigiously talented 20 year old, his early promise quickly nose dived and he was written off as a playboy. More interested in partying than scoring points was the general consensus.
However he has turned his career around in magnificent fashion with the help of technical genius Ross Brawn.
Button drove a terrible car for years as he showed the patience of a saint knowing that sooner or later his chance would come and in 2009 it did.
He might have struggled in the latter half of the season after being so dominant in the first but the history books will not show that.
All they will show, is that in 2009 Jenson Button was the best racing driver on the planet. A childhood dream achieved and one that is thoroughly deserved.
Button is a role model to anybody taking part in any form of sport. An example that persistence and belief in your own ability will pay off if you never give up.
He hasn’t had it easy in his career. Bursting on to the scene as a raw, prodigiously talented 20 year old, his early promise quickly nose dived and he was written off as a playboy. More interested in partying than scoring points was the general consensus.
However he has turned his career around in magnificent fashion with the help of technical genius Ross Brawn.
Button drove a terrible car for years as he showed the patience of a saint knowing that sooner or later his chance would come and in 2009 it did.
He might have struggled in the latter half of the season after being so dominant in the first but the history books will not show that.
All they will show, is that in 2009 Jenson Button was the best racing driver on the planet. A childhood dream achieved and one that is thoroughly deserved.
Friday, 2 October 2009
Cracknell on thin ice
I am not a big fan of rowing. I, like many others, get swept away in the excitement of it all during the Olympics but that’s about it. The sport enters my consciousness once every four years then disappears for another four. I am a self confessed football and cricket fan and those are the sports that I most immerse myself in.
However if somebody was to ask me who I admire and respect most from the world of sport, then the answer for me is an easy one. Ex Olympic rower James Cracknell.
However despite his extraordinary achievements as a rower (2 Olympic Golds and 6 World titles) it is what he has accomplished after his retirement that leads me to admire and respect him.
Now when a sportsman retires it is for one of two reasons. They are no longer physically capable of doing what they used to or they have lost their hunger for success. Neither was true of Cracknell. He has readily admitted that he might have retired too early.
So after announcing his retirement Cracknell found himself without a long term goal for the first time in his adult life. What could fill this void?
The answer came in the form of Ben Fogle.
Having already entered the Atlantic Rowing race and ordered the boat Fogle approached Cracknell with a proposition.
“I’m rowing the Atlantic. Would you like to do it with me?”
“Can you row?” replied Cracknell.
“Errrr no.”
Cracknell duly declined his offer.
However a month later he had a change of heart. He needed an outlet for his passion and drive and what better way than testing himself against one of the toughest environments Mother Nature has to offer. The trip was a great success. They finished first in their class and a great friendship had blossomed along the way.
It was their next challenge that really caught my imagination. Cracknell, along with Fogle and new team member Ed Coats set off on a race to the South Pole, which was documented by the BBC for a TV Series called ‘On Thin Ice.’ I tuned in every week without fail as I witnessed the incredible efforts of these three polar novices as they battled to win the Race to the South Pole. What made it such compelling viewing for me was seeing Cracknell try and survive in such a tough and unforgiving environment. For a man who has seemed invincible in many of the challenges he has taken on this was one that broke him down. Despite all his months of preparation, Cracknell realised that the kind of environment he was now in could throw him tests that he was unable to prepare for.
It showed the side of a sportsman that we rarely see. Cracknell was vulnerable and for the first time in his life admitted that this was a task that he may not be able to finish. However with great mental strength, and with the help and support of his team mates he pushed on to achieve his goal of reaching the South Pole.
It might not have made pleasant viewing for Cracknell, but for the first time the viewing public were able to see a sportsman with the layers stripped back, as somebody who is normal, and struggles like the rest of us. Not everybody likes him, he can often come across harshly on television, but you can’t help but respect him.
However if somebody was to ask me who I admire and respect most from the world of sport, then the answer for me is an easy one. Ex Olympic rower James Cracknell.
However despite his extraordinary achievements as a rower (2 Olympic Golds and 6 World titles) it is what he has accomplished after his retirement that leads me to admire and respect him.
Now when a sportsman retires it is for one of two reasons. They are no longer physically capable of doing what they used to or they have lost their hunger for success. Neither was true of Cracknell. He has readily admitted that he might have retired too early.
So after announcing his retirement Cracknell found himself without a long term goal for the first time in his adult life. What could fill this void?
The answer came in the form of Ben Fogle.
Having already entered the Atlantic Rowing race and ordered the boat Fogle approached Cracknell with a proposition.
“I’m rowing the Atlantic. Would you like to do it with me?”
“Can you row?” replied Cracknell.
“Errrr no.”
Cracknell duly declined his offer.
However a month later he had a change of heart. He needed an outlet for his passion and drive and what better way than testing himself against one of the toughest environments Mother Nature has to offer. The trip was a great success. They finished first in their class and a great friendship had blossomed along the way.
It was their next challenge that really caught my imagination. Cracknell, along with Fogle and new team member Ed Coats set off on a race to the South Pole, which was documented by the BBC for a TV Series called ‘On Thin Ice.’ I tuned in every week without fail as I witnessed the incredible efforts of these three polar novices as they battled to win the Race to the South Pole. What made it such compelling viewing for me was seeing Cracknell try and survive in such a tough and unforgiving environment. For a man who has seemed invincible in many of the challenges he has taken on this was one that broke him down. Despite all his months of preparation, Cracknell realised that the kind of environment he was now in could throw him tests that he was unable to prepare for.
It showed the side of a sportsman that we rarely see. Cracknell was vulnerable and for the first time in his life admitted that this was a task that he may not be able to finish. However with great mental strength, and with the help and support of his team mates he pushed on to achieve his goal of reaching the South Pole.
It might not have made pleasant viewing for Cracknell, but for the first time the viewing public were able to see a sportsman with the layers stripped back, as somebody who is normal, and struggles like the rest of us. Not everybody likes him, he can often come across harshly on television, but you can’t help but respect him.
Thursday, 1 October 2009
Alonso back at the top
Fernando Alonso’s move to Ferrari was one of the worst kept secrets in the history of Formula One. Everyone in the paddock knew that the move was going to happen, it was just a matter of when. The move , though, is undoubtedly a good one for Alonso, but it also extremely beneficial for the sport. In my eyes, and the eyes of many others Alonso is the best driver on the grid. No other driver could have got the results that he has managed over the last two years in what has often been a terrible car.
Many have questioned whether the complex Spaniard will be able to handle driving for Ferrari alongside a competitive team-mate in the form of Felipe Massa after his experience with McLaren and Lewis Hamilton in 2007. However, Alonso is an intelligent man and will have learned from his past mistakes and also has the added benefit of having a great friendship with the currently absent Brazilian.
Next season now promises to be an intriguing one. Alonso in the Ferrari against Hamilton in the McLaren. Both will be battling at the front of the grid but they won’t be the only ones there. Kimi Raikonnen, the man moved aside to make way for Alonso looks increasingly likely to return to McLaren in place of his under achieving countryman Heikki Kovalinen. Massa, should be a formidable force when back in full health, and there will also be the Brawn’s, most likely consisting of Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg and the Red Bull’s of Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel, both of whom have enjoyed successful but somewhat inconsistent times in 2009.
If there is a sport that needs a shot in the arm it is Formula One. This season has seen its reputation dragged through the mud, with the controversy early in the season about whether the top teams would be re-joining the competition or forming a breakaway competition to the recent race fixing scandal that saw Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds jettisoned from a sport they once graced. The fight for the title has also lost all momentum after the thrilling finishes of the previous two seasons. Jenson Button has done his very best to throw away the Championship but still finds himself 15 points clear of his nearest rivals as he crawls to his first World Championship.
It is about time that the best drivers were back at the front of the grid. Fernando Alonso should be fighting for wins and World Championships, not battling it out in the midfield. Next season he will be back at the very top, where his immense talent truly belongs.
Many have questioned whether the complex Spaniard will be able to handle driving for Ferrari alongside a competitive team-mate in the form of Felipe Massa after his experience with McLaren and Lewis Hamilton in 2007. However, Alonso is an intelligent man and will have learned from his past mistakes and also has the added benefit of having a great friendship with the currently absent Brazilian.
Next season now promises to be an intriguing one. Alonso in the Ferrari against Hamilton in the McLaren. Both will be battling at the front of the grid but they won’t be the only ones there. Kimi Raikonnen, the man moved aside to make way for Alonso looks increasingly likely to return to McLaren in place of his under achieving countryman Heikki Kovalinen. Massa, should be a formidable force when back in full health, and there will also be the Brawn’s, most likely consisting of Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg and the Red Bull’s of Mark Webber and Sebastien Vettel, both of whom have enjoyed successful but somewhat inconsistent times in 2009.
If there is a sport that needs a shot in the arm it is Formula One. This season has seen its reputation dragged through the mud, with the controversy early in the season about whether the top teams would be re-joining the competition or forming a breakaway competition to the recent race fixing scandal that saw Flavio Briatore and Pat Symonds jettisoned from a sport they once graced. The fight for the title has also lost all momentum after the thrilling finishes of the previous two seasons. Jenson Button has done his very best to throw away the Championship but still finds himself 15 points clear of his nearest rivals as he crawls to his first World Championship.
It is about time that the best drivers were back at the front of the grid. Fernando Alonso should be fighting for wins and World Championships, not battling it out in the midfield. Next season he will be back at the very top, where his immense talent truly belongs.
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