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Alternative MotoGP without Marc Marquez: These would be the world champions since 2013

Phil Laffertey
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Alternative MotoGP without Marc Marquez: These would be the world champions since 2013

Since 2013, Marc Marquez has won seven world titles in MotoGP – but let’s imagine for a moment that he had never been there. Who would have taken the crown?

With his seven MotoGP world championship titles, incredible race wins, and spectacular maneuvers, he has taken the sport to a new level. But what if Marquez had never entered MotoGP? Who would have won the prestigious world championship titles that are now to his credit?

This article highlights an alternative course of events in recent years in MotoGP – a “what if” scenario.

Imagine if the history of MotoGP had taken a completely different course and one of the most dominant riders of our time had never been on the track. We are, of course, talking about Marc Marquez. Since his debut in the premier class in 2013, he has shaped it like no other.

Of course, there have been world champions other than Marquez since 2013: Jorge Lorenzo in 2015, Joan Mir in 2020, Fabio Quartararo in 2021, Francesco Bagnaia in 2022/23, and Jorge Martin in 2024. However, Marquez was also injured for a long time from 2020 onwards, which led to a realignment of the balance of power in MotoGP.

In his fit years, however, he usually outpaced the competition. So who would have won the world championship if the Spaniard had been taken out of the equation? At this point, let’s just say this: Andrea Dovizioso would be a three-time world champion and Valentino Rossi could have nine MotoGP titles to his name instead of seven.

All MotoGP world champions without Marc Marquez can be found here.

After Roscoe’s death: Lego artwork moves Lewis Hamilton to tears

Sotd Editor
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After Roscoe’s death: Lego artwork moves Lewis Hamilton to tears

Lewis Hamilton shares a Lego portrait of his late dog Roscoe on Instagram—and elicits emotional reactions

Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton has moved his fans to tears with a very special post. The seven-time world champion shared a stunning Lego portrait of his late dog Roscoe on Instagram, while also expressing his gratitude for the enormous outpouring of sympathy from around the world.
The artwork was created by two fans and depicts Roscoe in impressive detail. The three-dimensional Lego mosaic even includes loving details such as a figure in a Ferrari racing suit, a Formula 1 car, bottles of Hamilton’s Almave brand, and miniatures reminiscent of the outfit Hamilton wore at the 2024 Met Gala. “This Lego portrait of Roscoe really touched me,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “The attention to detail is incredible, and I can’t imagine how long it took. Thank you to Karen and Ilona for making this for me and sending it to me.”

At the end of September 2025, Hamilton announced the death of his beloved bulldog. Roscoe had been hospitalized after suffering another bout of pneumonia and was temporarily on life support. The dog died shortly before the Singapore Grand Prix, with Hamilton at his side until the very end. Roscoe was not only a real celebrity in the Formula 1 paddock. With 1.5 million Instagram followers and his own modeling career, he had long been considered a star on four paws. After the sad news, social media was flooded with expressions of condolence. And now the Lego artwork is providing the next emotional moment. Hamilton took the opportunity to thank his fans: “I want to thank you all for your incredible support. It still hurts a lot and probably always will, but your love helps me enormously. Many of you have lost pets yourselves. I know Roscoe has many friends out there. He is surrounded by love and good vibes, just as he always was.”
Lego itself also responded to the photo, saying, “A fitting memorial.” Another fan wrote, “Whoever gave you this is an absolute legend. Roscoe will never be forgotten.”
Hamilton’s brand Almave simply commented, “This is a masterpiece.”

US star ends dry spell

T0m@dmin1
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US star ends dry spell

American Coco Gauff defeats her compatriot Jessica Pegula, ending a four-month dry spell.

US tennis star Coco Gauff has celebrated her first title win since her French Open triumph in June.

In the final of the WTA tournament in Wuhan, the world number three defeated her compatriot Jessica Pegula 6-4, 7-5. It was the 21-year-old Gauff’s eleventh tournament victory and her second this year.

Gauff bounces back after slump

After her Grand Slam success at Roland Garros, Gauff had fallen into a slump. She crashed out in the first round at Wimbledon, and her game continued to look unstable after that. In Wuhan, however, she put in a strong performance, dropping only 16 games on her way to the final—three of those in a clear 6-3, 6-0 victory over Laura Siegemund from Metzingen in the quarterfinals.

Against Pegula, ranked number six in the world, Gauff was already two breaks down (0-3) in the second set, but she was the stronger player in the decisive phase.

Pegula had surprisingly beaten world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the semifinals, handing the Belarusian her first defeat in her fourth appearance in Wuhan at the $3.654 million tournament.

“Becoming a mom”: Former world champion retires

Lesley Summerville
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“Becoming a mom”: Former world champion retires

In April, the 33-year-old made German boxing history. Now she is looking forward to a new chapter in her life.

Baby joy for Tina Rupprecht: The undisputed world champion in the atomweight division is pregnant—and is therefore hanging up her boxing gloves. “My active boxing career is officially over because I am starting a new phase in my life. I am going to be a mom,” said the 33-year-old at the Bavarian Sports Awards in Munich, where she received the award in the category “Sporting Moments for Eternity.”

Rupprecht won the unification bout against Japan’s Sumire Yamanaka in Potsdam in April, securing the IBF belt in addition to the WBA, WBO, and WBC titles. Before the Augsburg native, no German boxer, male or female, had ever held the four world championship belts from all the major associations.

The 1.53-meter-tall fighter also defended the prestigious title of boxing bible “The Ring” against Yamanaka. This title is awarded by specialist journalists when, in their opinion, the two best boxers in the world compete against each other. Only Max Schmeling had achieved this as a German fighter in 1930.

“I feel like it’s perfect now. I’ve arrived where I always wanted to be, even higher. I’m done now,” Rupprecht said at the award ceremony: “It’s my life’s work. That’s 21 years in this sport, which I still love. It’s been a long road, but I would do it all again.” A comeback as a mom is “not planned for now.” In 2018, Rupprecht first became world champion in the minimum weight class, but she lost that title in 2023. She then moved down a weight class to atomweight (up to 46.2 kg) and won three titles in 2024 with victories over Fabiana Bytyqi of the Czech Republic and Eri Matsuda of Japan. The greatest moment of her career then followed in Potsdam.

Knee problems: Bayer’s Quansah leaves national team

admin3r
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Knee problems: Bayer’s Quansah leaves national team

Bayer’s Jarell Quansah has left the Three Lions due to knee problems. Although these are not serious, it is not yet certain whether the 22-year-old will be able to play in Mainz.

Jarell Quansah left Leverkusen for the English national team with justified hopes of playing for the Three Lions. But now the international break is already over for the 22-year-old Bayer 04 defender without him having played a single minute. The Englishman is suffering from inflammation of the patellar tendon.

This made it impossible for Quansah to participate in training on Wednesday or play in the 3-0 win against Wales the following day. Now the English Football Association has announced that the professional will also miss Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier in Latvia. This is a precautionary measure.

In Leverkusen, they are confident that the injury will not affect Quansah’s availability for Saturday’s game against 1. FSV Mainz 05 (3:30 p.m.). “We assume that he will be able to play,” says managing director Simon Rolfes, but adds: “Of course, we have to wait and see how the healing process progresses.”

Schick set to return to team training next week

On the other hand, there is a good chance that center forward Patrik Schick will make his comeback. The Czech is expected to return this week after suffering a fascia injury in his thigh during the 2-1 win at FC St. Pauli, which forced him to sit out the Champions League match against Eindhoven (1-1) and the 2-0 win against Union Berlin.

If this goes smoothly, the 29-year-old could be fit to play again in Mainz. However, this will only be decided once Schick has completed team training without any problems.

Müller causes ecstasy – Next Messi record

Sports Of The Day
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Müller causes ecstasy – Next Messi record

With a last-minute goal, Thomas Müller shot the Vancouver Whitecaps to the top of the Western Conference table – and caught up with Marco Reus. Lionel Messi also shone once again.

Thomas Müller continues to be unstoppable in the MLS. When the extra time had already expired in the rescheduled match at Orlando City, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ new superstar scored the 2-1 winner, propelling his team to first place in the Western Conference ahead of the final matchday of the regular season, although Los Angeles FC could overtake them again on Monday night (CEST) with a win in their rescheduled match at Austin FC.

For the Whitecaps, it was the crowning glory of a dramatic final phase. First, US youngster Nelson Pierre, who had come on seven minutes earlier, equalized the half-time deficit (Dagur Dan Thorhallsson, 24th minute) rather luckily when he was hit by Orlando’s Kyle Smith after a shot from teammate Sebastian Berhalter hit the post (81st minute).

When the five minutes of added time began, the visitors seemed to have finally turned the game around when another Berhalter shot hit the post and rebounded off goalkeeper Pedro Gallese and seemingly crossed the line. Although Müller, who was positioned nearby, protested loudly, the goal was not given even after a lengthy VAR check. Apparently, no one could conclusively determine whether the ball had actually crossed the line completely, even though the TV images suggested it had. Goal-line technology is not used in MLS.

And yet the Whitecaps had the last word. Müller picked up a ball in the penalty area, dribbled a little while his opponents respectfully kept their distance, and found the gap for a precise low shot with his left foot into the near corner (90+7). He was immediately “buried” by his ecstatic teammates, prompting him to write on Instagram with a laughing emoji: “Scoring goals can be dangerous.”

Müller already like Reus – Messi beckons top scorer crown

Müller has not only collected eleven points in his last six competitive games (seven goals, four assists), but with his sixth goal in his sixth MLS appearance, he has already caught up with Marco Reus, who needed 27 appearances to achieve the same feat. The former Dortmund player was again absent from Los Angeles Galaxy’s 2-1 win over an early decimated FC Dallas with a thigh injury.

Lionel Messi, on the other hand, is in impressive form ahead of the playoffs. In Inter Miami’s 4-0 win over Atlanta United, the Argentine scored twice (39th/87th) and also set up Jordi Alba’s goal to make it 2-0 (52nd). Messi is the first player to score nine multiple goals in a single MLS season and, with 26 goals to his name, is not only the favorite to win his second consecutive MVP title, but also to win the top scorer crown. Denis Bouanga of Los Angeles FC is second with 24 goals.

Gerrard shocks Rangers with rejection – Röhl now the favorite?

Jeffrey Gooding
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Gerrard shocks Rangers with rejection – Röhl now the favorite?

The crisis-stricken Glasgow Rangers have to rethink their search for a new coach. Steven Gerrard will not be returning, but Danny Röhl is said to be a serious candidate.

Many fans were already looking forward to Steven Gerrard, but now they have to cope with another blow in a season full of setbacks. The 45-year-old coach, who led Glasgow Rangers to their last league title in 2021, will not be returning to Ibrox Stadium to succeed Russell Martin. According to numerous British media reports, Gerrard turned down the job after negotiations in London – the BBC describes it as a “shock.”

Just this week, Gerrard had announced his intention to return to the dugout. “Part of me still feels like I have something to finish,” he said on the podcast of his former teammate Rio Ferdinand, which had been recorded before Martin’s dismissal from Rangers. However, he only wanted to join a club with which he could win something, “because I think that suits me better.” Until January, Gerrard was with Al-Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia.

Röhl impressed in his first head coaching role

Rangers, who had hoped to have a new head coach in place by Saturday’s home league game against Dundee United (4 p.m.), now have to rethink their plans and could once again approach Danny Röhl, with whom they have reportedly already spoken.

The 36-year-old former assistant to Hansi Flick at FC Bayern and the German national team left English second division club Sheffield Wednesday in July, which had run into financial difficulties. Röhl had previously led the Owls to safety twice in his first stint as head coach — dramatically on the final matchday in his first season and confidently in his second.
Röhl is said to have made a positive impression in talks and is already being touted as the new favorite by the Guardian. However, it remains to be seen whether Rangers will put their trust in another talented coach who has not yet worked in Scottish soccer after 39-year-old Martin. Rangers, who finished runners-up for the fourth consecutive year last season, are already eleven points behind leaders Heart of Midlothian and nine behind archrivals and defending champions Celtic after only one win from their first seven league games. Following their crashing exit from the Champions League play-offs (0-3/1-6 against Club Brugge), they have also made a poor start in the Europa League.

Martin, who had already been greeted with skepticism by fans in the summer, was released before the international break. After the 1-1 draw at Falkirk FC, emotions ran so high that the Scotsman was even escorted out of the stadium by police.

Between qualifying matches: Serbia’s national coach Stojkovic resigns

Lesley Summerville
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Between qualifying matches: Serbia’s national coach Stojkovic resigns

Dragan Stojkovic resigned as Serbia’s national coach immediately after the 0-1 defeat to Albania – via a press conference. The home defeat also has consequences for England.

The Serbian national team is without a coach two days before its next World Cup qualifier. Dragan Stojkovic announced his resignation on Saturday night after a 1-0 home defeat to Albania, ending his four-and-a-half-year tenure. The association confirmed the change of coach on Sunday and announced that Zoran Mirkovic, coach of the U21 team, would take over on an interim basis.

“I spoke with the president and the secretary general and offered my resignation,” Stojkovic explained at a press conference in Leskovac. He said he took “full responsibility” for the “unexpected” defeat. He will not travel to Andorra for Tuesday’s away game.

Although Stojkovic had revealed in June that he had already offered his resignation after Serbia’s elimination from the 2024 European Championship, this time his tenure is really coming to an end. The 60-year-old, who took over in March 2021, was never uncontroversial, even though he led Serbia to the 2022 World Cup, to League A of the Nations League, and to staying in that league. Veljko Paunovic is already being touted as a possible successor. The 48-year-old had been promoted to La Liga with Real Oviedo but was released during the week. The association wants to intensify the search for a successor after the Andorra game.

England can book their World Cup ticket as early as Tuesday

The 2026 World Cup moved further away for Serbia on Saturday evening. In Group K, the White Eagles are only in third place, four points behind second-placed Albania, who have already played one more game. In addition to bottom-placed Andorra, Serbia will also face leaders England (A, November 13) and second-to-last Latvia (H, November 16).

While the still-unbeaten Three Lions, coached by Thomas Tuchel, have long since pulled away and can book their World Cup ticket with a win in Latvia on Tuesday thanks to Serbia’s defeat against Albania, Dusan Vlahovic, Lazar Samardzic & Co. are fighting to keep their remaining hopes of reaching the play-offs alive.

Carr scores the winning basket: Würzburg wins turbulent duel with Alba

Phil Laffertey
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Carr scores the winning basket: Würzburg wins turbulent duel with Alba

The Fitness First Würzburg Baskets won a turbulent game against Alba Berlin. A late run by Berlin seemed to turn the game around, but Marcus Carr sealed the deal shortly before the end. Würzburg won 96-92.

With six minutes to go, Davion Mintz had made it 88-81, but after that, not much went right for the hosts. Instead, Malte Delow and Norris Agbakoko turned the game around before the strong Jack Kayil (11 points, 10 assists) showed nerves at the free throw line and missed both attempts. On the other side, top scorer Marcus Carr (20 points, 9 assists) was there to put Würzburg on the road to victory from the three-point line with 24 seconds left. Delow’s three-pointer on the other side only hit the rim, and Mintz (19) sealed the deal from the line.

As in the previous season, this duel was fiercely contested. Berlin got off to a better start thanks to several three-pointers by Jonas Mattisseck (12), while Würzburg found success a little later with simple pick-and-rolls, which Alba defended very weakly. Time and again, the hosts’ centers scored easy points.

However, Würzburg did not play consistently enough, and foul problems for guards Brae Ivey, Mintz, and Johnathan Stove caused problems for the Mainfranken team. Mintz was on fire at times, but picked up his third foul with a technical foul when he shouted a few choice words at his opponent Mattisseck. Alba led 55-51 at the break, even though Würzburg made two-thirds of its shots.

Late Alba run countered by Carr

After the break, the hosts got their turnovers under control – and continued to make almost everything. They also defended more disciplined (without fouls), and that turned the game around. After Boogie Ellis (12, 3/10) was cleared by Thompson, David Muenkat (16) made a spectacular block, giving the Baskets their biggest lead of the game at that point (75-68) with two minutes left in the quarter. However, a few good plays by Martin Hermannsson (11) kept Alba within striking distance.

Nevertheless, Würzburg was now the better team. The tall, cold Ivey converted his first three-pointer, but immediately picked up his fifth foul. It was a minor setback, but shortly afterwards Muenkat brought the arena to fever pitch with an even better dunk over Delow. Nevertheless, the Baskets failed to seal the deal early on, and Berlin took the lead again with a layup by Ellis – it was an 11:2 run for the visitors, but also their last points.

Würzburg thus remains undefeated in the BBL and Champions League, while Berlin suffered its third defeat in its fourth game.

Future of Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships: Dorna makes clear commitment

Lesley Summerville
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Future of Moto2 and Moto3 World Championships: Dorna makes clear commitment

Dorna Sports Director Carlos Ezpeleta has clearly denied rumors that Moto2 and Moto3 could be devalued in the near future.

It is clear that the MotoGP class is the undisputed premier class in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. But what does the future hold for the Moto2 and Moto3 classes?

As there have been repeated rumors in recent weeks and months that these two classes could be relegated to the background or even devalued, MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports now feels it is important to respond to these rumors.

“I think everyone knows how important Moto2 and Moto3 are to the World Championship as a whole. And since there have been a lot of rumors lately, it’s probably appropriate to reemphasize their importance,” said Dorna Sports CEO Carlos Ezpeleta when he recently appeared as a guest in the commentary booth for Dorna Sports’ TV broadcast during the MotoGP weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi.

The rumors that had been circulating revolved around the possibility that Moto2 and Moto3 might no longer be part of the program at all MotoGP weekends in the future. Other rumors suggested that the small and medium World Championship classes might hold their races on Saturdays instead of Sundays in the future.

Still other rumors questioned whether world championship titles won on Moto3 or Moto2 bikes should even count anymore, or whether the classification of riders’ careers should be limited to world championship titles in the premier MotoGP class.

Ezpeleta clearly rejects all these rumors, saying, “That is completely unfounded.” “We emphasize both behind closed doors and to the fans how important the Moto2 and Moto3 classes are and what added value they represent for the World Championship as a whole.” Namely? “That the stars of the future are discovered so quickly and brought closer to the fans.”

“MotoGP races last 45 minutes on Sundays. The TV stations, partners and, above all, the fans at home and at the track want the complete program from Moto3 to Moto2 to MotoGP, in other words, a weekend full of entertainment. That’s quite clear,” says the Dorna sports director.

“Moto2 and Moto3 are not just junior classes, but world championship classes that are part of the global Grand Prix circus,” emphasizes Ezpeleta, explaining: “The other classes, such as the Talent Cups, are indeed junior classes and have no significant commercial purpose other than to serve as a platform for riders.” Accordingly, there would be “a significant difference between Moto2 and Moto3 and the rest of the ‘Road to MotoGP’.”

And so, with a view to the near future, Ezpeleta makes it clear: “Moto2 and Moto3 are and will remain an essential part of the World Championship. We look forward to many more years with three Grand Prix classes, to many more years with three classes offering great racing, high standards, and the best possible motorsport.”

“We have no intention of pushing Moto2 and Moto3 into the background, let alone not awarding anyone the World Championship title [from these classes], or no longer having Moto2 and Moto3 race on the same days or weekends as MotoGP,” he clearly stated.

What will no longer exist in 2026, however, is the MotoE World Championship. The electric racing series will be scrapped after the 2025 season finale in Portimao after a total of seven years (the first four of which were not as a world championship but as a world cup).

In 2026, a new racing series will be added to the MotoGP support program. The Bagger World Cup, featuring spectacular bikes from Harley-Davidson, is set to thrill fans on six race weekends.

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