Sebastian Loeb Biography

SEBASTIEN LOEB

NATIONALITY:
French

DATE OF BIRTH:
1974, 26 February

TEAM:
Citroën Racing

CO DRIVER:
Daniel Elena

BIOGRAPHY

Sébastien Loeb has been used to sporting success all his life, although not all of it through motorsport. Unlike some of his young motorsport peers, the Frenchman’s competitive spirit was honed through gymnastics from an early age, spending 12 years following in the footsteps of his father and racking up four Alsace regional titles as well as finishing fifth in the French championships.

But before long gymnastics would be replaced by the need for speed, a young Sebastien first racing around the streets on mopeds before enrolling in Rallye Jeune, a detection programme for aspiring rally drivers. Despite missing out on the top prize that year, he did meet Dominique Heintz and Rémi Mammoser, two men who would set him on the path to becoming the most successful rally driver in history. For it was their Ambition Sport Auto outfit with whom Loeb would clinch his first success during the Volant 106 championship in 1997, before meeting long-standing co-driver Daniel Elena on the Rallye des Cévennes.

When the Ambition Sport Auto pairing secured the Saxo Kit Car Trophy together in 1999, the French motorsport federation (FFSA) were sufficiently impressed to push for Loeb and Elena’s inclusion in the French Rally team. The three rounds of the WRC that followed proved Loeb’s credentials and although he crashed out in Spain, there were class wins on the Tour de Corse and San Remo. After winning the French Rally championship at the age of 26, the man born in Haguenau was offered a Citroën Xsara Kit Car by Guy Fréquelin for the Rallye du Var, an event he won prompting Fréquelin to hire him for the French Championship. Second overall on the San Remo in 2001 was enough for Citroen to offer a seven-round campaign the following year, during which he claimed his maiden WRC win in Germany, the first of eight consecutive Rally Deutschland victories.

In 2003 Loeb again proved a class act by beating Citroën team-mates, former world champions and genuine rally legends Colin McRae and Carlos Sainz in what was still his first full season. Despite taking three wins, he was forced to settle for second in the championship behind Petter Solberg following Citroën team orders on Rally GB to minimise risks and guarantee the Constructors’ crown. It would prove but a brief disappointment, the following seven seasons being utterly dominated by Loeb who would rack up victory after victory and title after title. On the 2005 Tour de Corse he was fastest on every stage of the rally! Faithful to Citroën, he moved from the Xsara to C4 with the same seamless success, with only Mikko Hirvonen’s spirited 2009 campaign coming close to toppling the Frenchman. Any thoughts his powers might be waning were rebuffed in 2010 with another eight wins, a tally that now stands at 62, 12 podiums from 13 starts and no retirements. In 2011, Loeb stays with Citroën, alongside new teamate Sébastien Ogier.

2012 was a busy year for Sébastien Loeb, who won his ninth consecutive world title by an astonishing 57 points from team-mate Mikko Hirvonen and announced the end of his full-time presence in the WRC. For 2013, Loeb will run a four rally programme (Monte-Carlo, Sweden, Argentina and France), while he runs the full GT Sprint Series in a McLaren GT3, while he prepares for a possible switch, with Citroen, to the WTCC in 2014

WHAT MOTORS TV SAYS

2013 is thus a transition year for Loeb who will run just four rounds of the WRC, while taking on a new challenge in the Sprint GT Series, while awaiting the green light from Citroen to do the 2014 WTCC. Just recently he has also expressed his desire to try his luck on the Dakar some day.

We will closely follow the nine-time world champions partial rally schedule. The native of Alsace will still be the man to beat on the Monte-Carlo and could also beat the northern Europeans on the snow in Sweden. But how will he do when he comes back later in the year for Argentina ad his home rally? One of the sub plots to the opening round of the year will be his confrontation with former team-mate Sébastien Ogier, who will finally get to show the potential of the VW Polo R WRC.

With nine wins and 10 podium results in 2012, Loeb proved, yet again, that he is the greatest rally driver of all time. And all his rivals are relieved that he will no longer spearhead the Citroen attack, something he has done, with unmatched success, since 2004. 

STATISTICS

Starts:	166
First rally:	Catalunya 1999
Victories:	77
Podiums:	114
Stages Win:	892
Nb of points in 2013:	43
Total points:	1594
Retirement:	20
Statistics: 02/2013

World championships:

9
(2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011,2012)

WRC CAREEER

Year	Team	Starts	Victories	Podiums	Retirement	Points	Standings
2013	Citroen	2	1	2		43	2nd
2012	Citroen	13	9	10	2	270	1st
2011	Citroen	13	5	9	2	222	1st
2010	Citroen	13	8	12	0	276	1st
2009	Citroen	12	7	9	1	93	1st
2008	Citroen	15	11	13	1	122	1st
2007	Citroen	16	8	13	2	116	1st
2006	Privateer	12	8	12	0	112	1st
2005	Citroen	16	10	13	2	127	1st
2004	Citroen	16	6	12	2	118	1st
2003	Citroen	14	3	7	3	71	2nd
2002	Privateer, Citroën	9	1	2	2	18	10th
2001	Privateer, Citroën	8	0	1	1	6	14th
2000	Privateer	4	0	0	1	0	-
1999	Privateer	3	0	0	1	0	Read More : http://www.motorstv.com/car/rally/wrc/drivers/sebastien-loeb

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Rafael Nadal biography

• profile
 
• photos

 1 photo

QUICK FACTS

• 
  
• NAME: Rafael Nadal
• OCCUPATION: Tennis Player
• BIRTH DATE: June 03, 1986 (Age: 27)
• PLACE OF BIRTH: Manacor, Mallorca, Spain
• ORIGINALLY: Rafael Nadal Parera
• NICKNAME: Rafa
• NICKNAME: The King of Clay
• FULL NAME: Rafael Nadal
• ZODIAC SIGN: Gemini

BEST KNOWN FOR

Spanish-born Rafael Nadal is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional tennis players of all time, completing the career Grand Slam by age 24—becoming the youngest in history to achieve the feat.

Synopsis

Born in Spain on June 3, 1986, Rafael Nadal is a Spanish professional tennis player who has been ranked among the world's Top 5 since 2003. Nadal is only the second male player to achieve the Career Golden Slam and the first to win seven French Open titles. He won the Roland Garros for four consecutive years, from 2005 to 2008, and went on to win Wimbledon 2008 against tennis star Roger Federer. In 2009, Nadal won the Australian Open,

CONTENTS

• Synopsis
• Early Years
• A Young Professional
• Hitting His Stride

QUOTES

"Always I believe that I can play better. But I am happy."

– Rafael Nadal

and came back to win his second Wimbledon in 2010, as well as his first U.S. Open and fifth French Open title. The following year, a No. 1-ranked Nadal lost his top ranking as well as Wimbledon 2011 to Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic. Also in 2011, he won his sixth French Open, followed by a seventh French Open victory in 2012. In the 2012 Wimbledon semifinals, a No. 3-ranked Nadal lost to Czech player Lukas Rosol—a match that some commentators labeled one the biggest upsets in tennis history. In June 2013, Nadal won his eighth French Open title against David Ferrer.

Early Years

Rafael Nadal was born in Majorca, Spain, on June 3, 1986. When he was 3 years old, his uncle, Toni Nadal, a former professional tennis player, started working with him, seeing an aptitude for the sport in young Rafael.

At the age of 8, Nadal won an under-12 regional tennis championship, giving Toni Nadal the incentive to step up his training. Toni noticed at the time that Rafael played his forehand shots with two hands, so he encouraged him to play left-handed, thinking it could give Rafael an edge on the court.

When Nadal was just 12 years old, he won the Spanish and European tennis titles in his age group, and at age 15, he turned pro and started playing on the junior circuit.

A Young Professional

At the age of 16, in his first ITF junior event, Nadal made it to the semifinals of the Boys' Singles tournament at Wimbledon. By age 17, he became the youngest man to reach the third round at Wimbledon since Boris Becker.

At the age of 19, in 2005, Nadal won the French Open the first time he played it, and his world ranking went to No. 3. Nadal won 11 singles titles that year, eight of which were on clay, and he was soon dubbed the "King of Clay."

Hitting His Stride

Nadal went on to win the next three French Opens. In 2006, after winning the French Open— despite both shoulder and foot injuries—he won four other titles. The following year, he won again at Roland Garros and took home five other titles. Nadal poured it on in 2008, winning the French Open again, in addition to winning Wimbledon—where he beat longtime rival Roger Federer in the longest final in Wimbledon history—gold at the Beijing Olympics, and five other titles. After Wimbledon, Nadal's winning streak stood at a career-best 32 matches.

Since 2008, despite being occasionally hampered by injuries, Nadal has been one of the superstars of the tennis world, winning 15 titles and hitting No. 1 in the world-ranking twice (in August 2008 and again in June 2010). He won the Australian Open in 2009 and came back to win his second Wimbledon in 2010, as well as his first U.S. Open and fifth French Open title.

Read More : http://www.biography.com/people/rafael-nadal-183565

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Dani Pedrosa Biography

Dani Pedrosa - Biography

	Number: 26
	Nationality :Spanish
	Birth place: Sabadell
	Birthday: 29.09.1985.

Team:
Residence: Castellar Del Valles
Height: 158
Weight: 47
Championship points(2013): 0

 Dani Pedrosa-125ccm biography

As many other famous Motorcycle racers, Dani Pedrosa enjoyed in bikes from early age. Pedrosa got his first morcycle at age of four, and first pocket bike at age of six, riding it for fun with his friends. Daniel (his real name) started racing on minibikes at age of 11, when he entered Spanish Minibike Championship. Dani Pedrosa finished his first season in Spanish minibikes in second position, scoring his first podium finish in his second race of the season. That was the turn-point in his career, when he decided to take racing for serious, and entered same championship in next year, hawing high hopes. However, health problems stopped Pedrosa to win championship in 1997, and he had to settle with 3rd position in championship.

However, motorcycle racing is very expensive sport, and despite his great talent, Dani Pedrosa was on the edge to leave motorcycle racing and move to mountain bikes. At the last moment, he heard about Movistar Activa Cup and decided to give it a try. In a week, Dani learned to ride bikes with gearbox and passed the trials. In his first year, Dani Pedrosa finished in respectable 8th place. Alberto Puig, his current mentor, immediatelly spotted his immense talent and picked him for team. Pedrosa took part of the Spanish Chanmpionship as part of Movistar Junior Team, and finished season in 4th place. Despite finishing behind both of his team-mates in 2000, Pedrosa managed to take 4 pole positions and again he got attention of team-manager, Alberto Puig, who decided that Pedrosa is real man for 125ccm World Championship.
Year 2001 was entry point to world class motorcycle racing for 16 year old Spaniard. In his first year in 125ccm World Championship, Pedrosa twice finished on podium, both times in 3rd place (Spain and Japan). In same year, Dani Pedrosa did not scored in 5 races, and he ended debut season in 8th place with 100 points.
Year 2002 was time for Dani Pedrosa to show more of his potential. In his second 125ccm world championship season, Pedrosa finished championship in third place, fighting for the title with Vincent and Pogiali. In this season, Pedrosa scored 243 points, 30 points less from championship winner, Arnaud Vincent. 2002. was also the year when Pedrosa scored his first victories (Nederlands, Japan and Spain), and finished on podium 9 times. He also took 6 pole positions in 2002. Year 2003 was third and last season for Dani Pedrosa in 125ccm World Championship. In this season, Pedrosa finally won title with 223 points, and did it in style, with two races remaining in championship. As we have seen only one week later, those two weeks were reserve that he needed, as he had terrific crash during practice in Australia, where he broke both his ankles and ended his season. In this year Pedrosa had 5 victories and 6 podium finishes.

Dani Pedrosa-250ccm biography

Dani Pedrosa switched to 250ccm world championship in 2004. Despite slow recovery from injuries he sustained in 2003 in Australia and no proper testing time in of-season, Pedrosa scored victory in first race of the season in South Africa. What was aimed to be season of adaptation to new class soon became total domination of Dani Pedrosa: he won championship with total 317 points, scoring 7 victories and 13 podium finishes. He did not finished only one race, in Spain, and twice finished just outside the podium, in fourth. This year was one when everybody became aware of potential of Dani Pedrosa, and despite offers to move to MotoGP class, Pedrosa decided to stay one more season in 250's.
Despite being main favourite for the title in 2005, this season proved to be hard for young Spanish rider, as he sustained shoulder injuries in Japan, that bothered him until the end of the season. Anyway, Pedrosa once again scored title with two races remaining, once again in Australia. In 2005, Pedrosa scored 309 points, with 8 victories, 3 second places, 3 fourth places, and one race he did not finished.

Dani Pedrosa-MotoGP biography

Fantastic racing talent of Dani Pedrosa caused earthquakes in a year of his move to top class of World Championship, MotoGP. Being protege of Alberto Puig and Telefonica from beggining of his racing career, everyone expected Dani Pedrosa to enter MotoGP class with Telefonica Movistar Honda, but Honda had different plans for young Spanish rider - they wanted him to became factory Honda rider. In order to achieve their goal, Repsol Honda signed Pedrosa before the end of 2005 season, directly causing one of largest sponsors, Telefonica, to retrieve from MotoGP championship. Deal was done and in 2006 Dani Pedrosa became Repsol Honda rider, replacing Max Biaggi.
Once again, Dani Pedrosa execeeded expectations in his debut season, by scoring second place on his debut aboard factory Honda RC211V. In a strange 2006 season, in which class favourite, Valentino Rossi, had lot of problems and bad luck, we did not have to wait too long for Dani Pedrosa to get on the highest podium step - he did that in 4th race of the season, in China, where he also scored maiden pole position.

Read More : http://www.highrevs.net/motogp_rider_info/dani_pedrosa_biography.php

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Mario Balotelli story

" I was a naturalized Italian , actually I came from Ghana . I was abandoned by my parents and the two angels have Adopted me . I Endure racism on a daily basis . I was the first black man who wears jersey Italy . 'm Not angry , but my experience makes me act different from others . Try to understand me before you criticize me . " - Mario Balotelli -


 In the beginning was the best, then praises . In Euro 2012 , Mario Balotelli is a story unto itself . He successfully silenced anyone who considers himself nothing more than a tacky celebrity by scoring three goals in the quadrennial tournament .

Asilnya name is Mario Barwuah . There was no Italian blood in his body . Her parents , Thomas and Rose Barwuah , immigrants from Ghana . Balo was born in the city of Palermo , August 12 , 1990 .

Living in the land of the mediocre economic make- Balo cırcumstances parents do not know want to do anything when he was sick . Until then a decision that would change his life , published: Balo gets named foster parents Francesco and Silvia Balotelli . Of foster parents that Mario Balotelli Barwuah got the name .

Then the story Began .

Living in Italy into two sides of a coin for the Balo . We all know , black Balo . While both of foster parents are of Jewish descent . History records , a total of approximately 8,000 Jews died in the era Holocoaust Italy Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini , the fascist dictator Adolf Hitler 's ally . And do not ask how many of the blacks who were lost : even the first colonies of Italy under Mussolini was the countries in East Africa .

The reality was once making two get Balo racist insults from others . Before the 2012 European Cup starts , where the threat of racism is much higher than in Italy in the era now , Balo Vowed to "kill " anyone who acts against racist .

When the party of Italy 's national team until in Poland , they make a visit to the Auschwitz Nazi camp massacre . There Balo could not resist bitterly . Not Because he or his family have been through some dark sedarahnya with Nazis . But Because he remembered a box .

Inside the box contains letters that contain a stories that foster parents was Jewish . From the box that Balo know the background of foster parents . He found the letter- box under her bed . Since then , Balo Began to intimate the dark history of Jews who told her foster parents .

Balo actually never told this to anyone in order to keep unwanted things . But , According to a report from Radio Netherlands Worldwide , Balo ( eventually ) tell it Because it would hold sobs while in camp at Auschwitz Nazi massacre .

The news then spread . Some Neo - Nazi groups in Italy or outside Italy considers Balo - except black - , ​​also of Jewish descent . One site - extremist racist groups in Italy , Stormfront , even wrote : " Balotelli ( skinned ) black and ( descent ) Jews . He should play for Israel , not Italian " .

One of the Italian media also has recently , Gazzetta dello Sport , also made ​​a racist attitude . They draw cartoons Balotelli being hard hit ball from the top of Big Ben , like King Kong atop the Empire State Building .

Mentally strong as Balotelli but his muscles . Many times he was insulted , many times he got it anyway . For him , nothing can hinder his love of football . He Decided up to become a professional footballer . With the club Began his career in Italy , Lumezzane . Then went to Internazionale Milan . And now he is the mainstay of Manchester City .

Cesare Prandelli smitten then called him to join the Italy squad that will Compete in the 2012 European Cup . Prandelli Balo no matter how many times to do mischief off the field , problems with discipline , and Often clashed with fellow players . In short , Prandelli Believes , behind the haughty air of Balo , there will be goals that are ready to print .

And Prandelli true . Balo went on up to become the first Italian player as well as the first black player who scored three goals in the European Cup in 2012. Somewhere fascist - fascist who likes to insult when I discovered this fact .

After the match against Germany in the semifinals , where Balo scored two goals to make- Die Mannschaft lift the suitcase , he said:

" This is the best night of my life so far . "

When many players rejoice central Italy was heading the 2012 European Cup final , Balo actually went into the stands , to the two adoptive parents who watched it from the start . Balo then hugged them , cried together . Cries perhaps the most beautiful cry for him .

At the moment it's sentimental , Balo said adoptive father would bring her a chocolate during the final match against Spain . Balo gives chocolate it has Become his habit , and he hopes to make the chocolate Balo better performance .

But not all prayer is a reality . Italy 0-4 Spain denied . Balo not scoring . There was no celebration . After all , he was rarely the make after make a goal celebration . Once he once said , do not have to - have to celebrate a goal so Because "nobody mailman celebrate after dropping the letter " .

Defeated but after Italy Spain sesengukan he cried . After this Balo may understand , that the postman can also cry . However , if Balo was the postman , the adoptive parents are a pair of doves who will accompany Balo seek to address anywhere .

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MotoGP Sepang

Repsol Honda debutant , Marc Marquez managed to be the fastest and grab pole Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang Circuit on Saturday ( 12/10 ) .

The Spaniard was followed by the Yamaha Factory Racing rider , Valentino Rossi was second and Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider , Cal Crutchlow in third position .

While the fourth and fifth positions respectively occupied by the Yamaha Factory Racing rider , Jorge Lorenzo and Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa .

Here are the results of the Malaysian MotoGP qualifying session :
1 . Marc Marquez - Repsol Honda Team ( 2m 0.011s )
2 . Valentino Rossi - Yamaha Factory Racing ( 2m 0.336s )
3 . Cal Crutchlow - Monster Yamaha Tech 3 ( 2m 0.359s )
4 . Jorge Lorenzo - Yamaha Factory Racing ( 2m 0.578s )
5 . Dani Pedrosa - Repsol Honda Team ( 2m 0.692s )
6 . Alvaro Bautista - Go & Fun Honda Gresini ( 2m 0.974s )
7 . Bradley Smith - Tech 3 Yamaha Monster ( 2m 1.306s )
8 . Andrea Dovizioso - Ducati Team ( 2m 1.635s )
9 . Aleix Espargaro - Power Electronics Aspar ( 2m 2.151s )
10 . Andrea Iannone - Energy I.T. Pramac Racing ( 2m 2.536s )
11 . Nicky Hayden - Ducati Team ( 2m 2.900s )
12 . Stefan Bradl - LCR Honda MotoGP (No Time )
13 . Colin Edwards - NGM Forward Racing ( 2m 2.858s )
14 . Claudio Corti - NGM Forward Racing ( 2m 3.175s )
15 . Hector Barbera - Avintia Blusens ( 2m 3.212s )
16 . Hiroshi Aoyama - Avintia Blusens ( 2m 3.418s )
17 . Yonny Hernandez - Ignite Pramac Racing ( 2m 3.651s )
18 . Randy De Puniet - Power Electronics Aspar ( 2m 3.805s )
19 . Michael Laverty - Paul Bird Motorsport ( 2m 4.198s )
20 . Danilo Petrucci - Came IodaRacing Project ( 2m 4.310s )
21 . Luca Scassa - Cardion AB Motoracing ( 2m 5.199s )
22 . Bryan Staring - Go & Fun Honda Gresini ( 2m 6.038s )
23 . Lukas Pesek - Came IodaRacing Project ( 2m 6.203s )
24 . Damian Cudlin - Paul Bird Motorsport ( 2m 6.273s ) ( cn / KNY )

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kobe ​​bryant will retire

kobe ​​bryant will retire

USA Basketball legend , Kobe Bryant , plans to retire . Kobe signaled to end 16 -year career within 2 years along with the expiration of the contract at the club the Los Angeles Lakers .

" It ( retirement or still play ) is something that can never be ascertained , " he said on CBS Sports . " It's just that , spending three more years to stay afloat with the training and preparation was quite a high level . For a guard , it was just too long . "

Kobe also felt that his physical condition as if no support to keep pursuing a degree . Ambition to beat Michael Jordan in his record of championship rings is also not as big as before .

" It's not because of health problems , " he said . " It's about ' Do I still want to do it ? Am I still very ' Hunger ' ambition to pursue ? ' "

So far , Kobe has won championship rings as much as five times . The only difference raihannya one with Jordan that has collected six titles .

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