Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/275833
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2014 Sport 22 THE 9th March Autocross and Moto- cross races at Ta Qali by 'Assocjazz- joni Sport Muturi u Karozzi' were can- celled for safety reasons due to the bad weather conditions. Yet, these races are scheduled to be held next Wednes- day 19th March being a Public Feast. This program starts at 11.00am. Prac- tice sessions are held under artificial lighting on Tuesday 18th March from 6.00pm onwards. The Trials bikers will be perform- ing their next competition on Sunday 16th March. This will take place at Torri Falka at Zebbieh l/o Mgarr and starts at 9.00am. The general public is invited to attend this technical Enduro competition when entrance is for Free. First race starts at 9.00am. This weekend eleven (11) Enduro competitors will be participating in a 'pre-Championship Moto Enduro race named 'Cavalcata dei Monti Iblei' set up in the province of Ragusa. This is the first largest group of Maltese Enduro competitors who are prepared to challenge the Italian Enduro FMI Federation Championship. These contestants range from experienced to novice riders on Sicilian soil. En- duro riders in this special event are Andrew Albanozzo, John Attard, Vic- tor Bajada, Konrad Grixti, Eric Grixti, Nicolai Abela, Matthew Salomon, Ed- ward Sant Fornier, Alex Sant Fornier, Nigel Anastasi u Andrew Cassar. All these competitors will be riding on KTM Enduro motorcycles powered by 250cc to 530cc engines. This is the 13th edition of 'Cavalcata dei Monti Iblei' is offering hard riding lasting 5 to 6 hours to the final desti- nation. The track is based on riding up high hills of the Ragusa countryside thus challenging the riders for techni- cal riding never experienced before in our country. The first 65 kilo meters course con- tains riding up and down high hills, on dry valley paths, along running water streams, over dry soil, sandy and rocky paths along the route. These sections are laid down by experts in this sport to challenge the riders to perform well all along the track. The second part of the track also in- cludes some kind of motocross riding too along the route where some kind of speed riding takes place. All this demonstrates the technical skills and rider's concentration all the way while riding on the rough route. Short refuelling time is planned at 55 and 70 km intervals along the 120km route. One can have a short rest and do some maintenance in the short time available. The race is on even in rainy conditions which may add pun- ishment but demonstrates high rider's skills on track. Though this race is their first attempt on Sicilian soil for some of the ASMK Enduro riders yet all Maltese competi- tors (including one from Gozo) and their bikes are well prepared for this Enduro race and to embark the cata- maran very early next Saturday morn- ing thanks too to 'Virtu Ferries' for their assistance. Though this type of sport cannot be practiced to high level of long en- durance on our home land due to a number of limitations yet we hope that our riders will achieve good class results while in Ragusa. Most of the Maltese team riders will be returning back to Malta late on Monday 17th March. FORMULA 1 MOTORSPORTS FOOTBALL Eleven ASMK Enduro Riders in Ragusa this Sunday Andrew Cassar Buyer confirmed for Nürburgring circuit THE Nürburgring circuit and its as- sets have been sold after a Europe- wide investor process. The German venue and its sur- rounding hotels and theme park have been purchased by the Capricorn Group, a Dusseldorf-based automo- tive supplier, in a deal in excess of 100 million Euros (83.3 million pounds). Rival bidders included investment firm H.I.G. Capital and, early on, Formula 1 supremo Bernie Eccle- stone. The firm, which manufactures a range of engine components, already has ties to the vast Nürburgring com- plex. It currently employs more than 350 staff, 100 of whom are based in a dedicated test centre at the circuit itself. Capricorn will officially take own- ership of the famous race track on January 1 2015, following which it is planning to invest a further 25 mil- lion Euros (20.8 million pounds) to carry out wide-ranging development work. It has not been confirmed if Capri- corn intends to stage future editions of the German Grand Prix. Under the latest hosting agreement, the venue alternates with Hockenheim, which is the location for this year's event. Pardew handed seven match ban for headbutt THE sanction was imposed by an independent regulatory commis- sion after Pardew had admitted a misconduct charge, the Football Association announced. He was also fined £60,000 and warned as to his future conduct after the incident during Newcas- tle's 4-1 win at Hull on March 1. A statement from the FA read: "Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew will serve a seven-match suspension with immediate effect, subject to any appeal, after he ad- mitted an FA misconduct charge. "An independent regulatory commission today [Tuesday 11 March 2014] ruled the first three matches imposed are a stadium ban with the remaining four a touchline ban." Pardew, who has also been fined £100,000 and given a formal warn- ing by his club, said he will accept the latest punishment. The Newcastle manager said in a statement released by his club: "As I have made clear, I deeply regret the incident and again wholeheart- edly apologise to all parties for my conduct, which I understand was not acceptable. "I will accept the punishment handed down by the FA today. My focus now turns to preparing the team for this weekend's game against Fulham and finishing the season as strongly as possible." Alan Pardew, right, could be handed a stadium ban