Gerard Pique returns to train with the group
The central Gerard Pique, who could not play last weekend in Split because of a muscle in the calf, is back training with the Barca team, while Xavi Hernandez and Carles Puyol are continuing a custom job.
Piqué could not participate in the friendly against Hajduk last Saturday because of some physical problems. Nor could travel to the Dalmatian town Xavi and Puyol, still recovering from surgery on his knee suffered, nor Pedro Rodriguez.
During the briefing today at the Ciudad Deportiva Joan Gamper thirty players took part, among the first team players and the reserves.
As reported by the Catalan club, the training has monopolized the fitness by Lorenzo Buenaventura, who has insisted on the work of resistance.
This afternoon, from 19:00 pm will be another training session, after which coach Pep Guardiola will provide the squad with a view to the Audi Cup, Barcelona will play tomorrow and before the International Porto Alegre and Bayern Munich or Milan.
Ferrer, Soderling will play the final
David Ferrer, who last week won the point that gave Spain victory in Davis Cup against the United States, continued his good form by winning Saturday in the semifinals of the tournament in Bastad (Sweden) at the Spanish also Nicolas Almagro 6 – 1 and 6-3 in 64 minutes.
Ferrer, seeded second, was better than Almagro in all aspects of the game, both in service (67 percent of first versus 54), and the rest (60 percent of points earned) and the game background.
His opponent in Sunday’s final will be the Swede Robin Soderling, No. 5 tennis world in 70 minutes to beat Czech Tomas Berdych 6-1, 6-0.
Berdych, twice a finalist in this tournament, was a low percentage of first serves (57) did not achieve a single “break” and gave five of six games on his serve, facing a plethora Soderling to his audience.
Samu wins the GP Miguel Indurain
Samuel Sanchez claimed victory at the thirteenth edition of the Grand Prix Miguel Indurain after a thrilling contest in the final kilometers high in the Basilica of Puy, where the target was located after 179.3 miles. The Russian Alexander Kolobnev and German Fabian Wegmann completed the podium.
Has cost, but in the end has come. Samuel Sánchez Euskaltel Euskadi and have been released in the 2011 season with a brilliant victory in the classic Navarre. The Spaniard got a well deserved win after having picked up three second places this Saturday (one in the Tour of Andalusia and two in the Paris-Nice, where he finished third).
The race was a great Spanish accent. After numerous attempts in the first few miles, finally formed a breakaway of the day made up Lastras, Txurruka and Belda. However, their advantage was never the favorite of concern for the test.
Movistar tried by every means to break Lastras and attacks by Arroyo and Kiryienka
In the absence of some 20 kilometers Lastras left alone but because of a cramp, he had his foot off the pedal and was neutralized after 5 kilometers. Movistar but did not throw in the towel. The Spanish team was one of the most important when looking for the victory.
The proof of this was in David Arroyo, but he tried after his adventure did not last long, just until he passed his teammate Kiryienka. Movistar moving much the race, but the Leopard of Schleck brothers controlled the situation in the bunch.
Everything was to be decided in the rise of Puy, who returned to be the judge of the race. In the final meters, Samuel Sanchez gave a stunning backlash that left his rivals and topped the category 3 port of raising his arms. Behind, 2 seconds behind, was Kolobnev and 7, Wegmann. With this victory, Samu has application in the Basque Country Tour which starts on Monday.
The Navy plays in Sicily and Sergio Garcia disputes the Transitions
The global golf back strong this week with two good tournaments in the United States and Europe. The big name is definitely Sergio Garcia played his first tournament of the year after the PGA tour in the desert.
Castellon played the Transitions Championship with some of the biggest names in world golf. Sergio needs to play at least 15 tournaments on the American circuit if you want to keep the card. Alvaro Quiros initially going to be present at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor (Florida), but an ankle injury has prevented the Cadiz contest the tournament. However, the injury will not prevent Álvaro Andalucian Open de Andalucia dispute to be played between 24 and 27 March.
Sergio’s rivals will again be of substance. Martin Kaymer (number one in the world), Nick Watney (winner at Doral), Bubba Watson (winner of The Farmers) start as favorites to win in Florida. There are other names that give luster to the tournament. Matteo Mannasero, Pau Casey, Pedraig Harrington and Peter Hanson are the other Europeans to be considered for the victory.
Sicily, full of Spanish
And in the Old Continent will also be action this week. Comes the turn of the Open Sicilian with lots of Spanish. José Manuel Lara, Ignacio Garrido, Alejandro Cañizares, Pablo Larrazabal, Alvaro Velasco, Borja Etchart, Sam Luna, Carlos del Moral, Manuel Quiros, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Garcia and Pedro Oriol Sebi represent the Italian Navy in the tournament.
Federer and Djokovic, a round of Indian Wells
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were entered in the second round of Indian Wells Masters first 1,000 of the season in comfortable game after defeating Argentina’s Juan Ignacio Chela and Latvian Ernests Gulbis, respectively.
FEDERER
“You choose the days you play well and win fast”
The Swiss came very easily over Argentine Chela, who suffered over the network increases the number two worldwide. Federer, who won 6-0, 6-2, was measured in the second round to compatriot Stanislas Wawrinka, who won their third round match to Croatian Marin Cilic.
For its part, Djokovic, measured in the fourth round with fellow Serb Viktor Troicki, had no trouble stopping on the way to Gulbis, who was ominous. The Belgrade did not have to sweat to give in a single game and converted five of six balls to break that decided.
“Gulbis is unpredictable, if not patient and does not give the ball as well today, you can fail a lot”
Djokovic, who has not lost in the twelve games he has played this season, you know how to win at Indian Wells, where he became champion in 2008. In 2007 he was a finalist, losing to Nadal last year, and the Croatian Ivan Ljubicic kept him out in the third round.
In addition Andy Roddick beat John Isner 7-5 6-2 in one hour and seven minutes. “It’s tough to play against him because you know that the pressure is on me. It is not easy but I like it. One of the things that motivate me to maintain my site,” said the winner.
Mosquera requests the appropriate file
The Galician rider Ezequiel Mosquera, reprimanded by an adverse analytical finding for hydroxyethyl, contends in a public notice of his case file and announced its intention to compete again.
“Since September 30th I was informed of the adverse analytical finding with hydroxyethyl” he explains, “I have been on a rigorous silence that had a single objective: stop work calmly and without pressure to all institutions that were in charge of the study my case. ”
Hydroxyethyl
“All scientific studies show that does not improve athletic performance and their use is not prohibited by intramuscular or oral”
“Now,” he continues, “need to get out into the open with three objectives: first, the process request is filed. On the other, to clarify once and for all important details. And third, the most important of all: to express my desire to race again. ”
Mosquera recalled that the substance found in his body, hydroxyethyl starch, “is not considered a doping substance” and therefore is not sanctioned.
“The UCI confirmed in writing by Ottille Morand (legal manager) last February 18 where I stand:” As Mosquera has not been suspended or has been taken any decision to declare a runner is not aligned in the competitions, is now free to participate in any cycling race, ‘”he says.
Mosquera presented its submission to the International Cycling Union on December 10
Hydroxyethyl starch on explains that it is a starch derivative normal and that “all scientific studies show that does not improve athletic performance and their use is not prohibited by intramuscular injection or orally. Only considered prohibited intravenously.
“Although some voices have pointed to that possibility,” he adds, “the hydroxyethyl starch product also serves as a masking of any doping substance, as well demonstrated in other cases in which EPO is detected despite the presence of hydroxyethyl starch. ”
According to Mosquera, the analysis performed by the laboratory in Cologne (Germany) certified that his body had only hydroxyethyl starch “and there was no doping substance.”
Mosquera appreciates the support of his team, Vacansoleil-DCM, in that it has signed but which has not competed
“The Cologne lab has proved more specifically that there was EPO, a substance whose presence was sought and was discarded. It’s counter asked the sample B, with the sole purpose of slowing the process is not open,” he says.
Mosquera presented its submission to the International Cycling Union on 10 December. “Since then I am waiting for the answer, although I understand that the process is technically complex and with this release is not intended to include criticism of the authorities involved.”
Mosquera appreciates the support of his team, Vacansoleil-DCM, in that it has signed but which has not yet competed. “I want to thank them for their confidence because they made the decision to await the decision of the authorities before taking any decision.”
“Given that my arguments were presented on December 10 and have been more than three months without any response, I believe that the most fair and logical that the case will be directly closed and filed without further damage to my reputation and that of cycling and to avoid further uncertainty for my team and my family, “he says.
