
Dunlop to compete in World Endurance Championship
Michael Dunlop is to compete in the World Endurance Championship in 2025 on board a BMW M1000RR for Team LRP Poland, one of the series' leading independent outfits.The 35-year-old will join ex-Grand Prix rider Danny Webb and Enzo Boulom in the Superbike class and will compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours event from 17-20 April.Dunlop will miss the second round at Spa from 6-7 June because of a date clash with the Isle of Man TT and will be replaced by Marek Szkopek.Last year Dunlop raced at Le Mans in the Superstock category on a Honda, finishing in 16th position.The 28-time TT winner from Ballymoney has yet to confirm his road racing plans for 2025.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Soccer Aid host Alex Scott's plan to ‘quit UK' with famous girlfriend after awful threats
Soccer Aid host Alex Scott's plan to 'quit UK' with famous girlfriend after awful threats Alex Scott will host Soccer Aid alongside Dermot O'Leary, but from her love-life to a possible move to the USA, how much do you really know about the ex-Arsenal player-turned-BBC star? Alex Scott and Jess Glynne (Image: PA ) Former Arsenal Women's footballer-turned-TV presenter Alex Scott is a familiar face to many in the UK. From the football pitch to the media glare, her transition has been smooth. On Sunday evening, Scott will co-host Soccer Aid with Dermot O'Leary on ITV1, adding to her impressive roster of presenting gigs which includes Final Score, Match of the Day, Football Focus and The One Show. The 40-year-old made her mark playing for the Gunners, Birmingham City and Boston Breakers in the NWSL – as well as earning 140 caps for England. However, her journey from footballer to television personality hasn't been without its challenges. We delve into Scott's personal life, her struggles at the BBC, a possible move to the US, and a harrowing incident involving a kidnapping in Russia. Missing out on Match of the Day and USA plans A disappointing moment in Scott's burgeoning media career came last year when she was passed over for the Match of the Day role. Gary Lineker stepped down from the iconic show after a 25-year tenure, and Scott was reportedly a leading contender to replace him, with BBC bosses keen to take a new direction. However, the job ultimately went to the seasoned trio of Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan and Kelly Cates, who will now share presenting duties. Article continues below There were also rumours that Scott planned to move to the USA with her partner, Jess Glynne, to explore further opportunities in her field, following a difficult period with the BBC that came to light last October. Scott shared her pride at Football Focus viewing figures in 2023 (Image: Molly Darlington - The FA/The FA via Getty Images ) The Sun reported that Scott was 'hurt' following a drop in ratings for Football Focus, which she presents, coupled with a perceived lack of support from BBC executives. She had previously addressed rumours regarding the decline in viewership on X in September 2023, insisting that the numbers were strong. But fast forward a year, and a source in October 2024 said: "Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show. Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. "The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures." As for her plans with Gylnne, the source revealed they were "contemplating a move to America." Yet as it stands, Scott is staying put in Britain for now, ready to take centre stage on ITV1's Soccer Aid event come Sunday evening. Jess Glynne relationship and love-life Since the summer of 2023, Scott and 'Rather Be' singer Glynne have been romantically an item. Initially keeping their relationship under wraps, Scott eventually confirmed their status as a couple through social media posts, reports the Mirror. She has also expressed her desire to start a family with Glynne. However, finding love wasn't straightforward for the star. Alex has been dating singer Jess Glynne since 2023 (Image: Ian West/PA Wire ) She credits Glynne, 35, with helping her overcome her fear of forming close relationships – a fear she attributes to her childhood experiences with her father, Tony, who has refuted these claims about his parenting. "We weren't allowed to express emotion," Scott said to The Times in June 2024. "Dad didn't allow us to hug each other or say, 'I love you.' It had a huge impact on us all. "I remember one of the first times Jess hugged me. I was like... {rigid]. She was like, 'Are you not going to put your arms around me?' But I didn't know how to do that." Scott has previously been open about her past romance with fellow England and Arsenal footballer Kelly Smith, with whom she shared an eight-year relationship before parting ways in 2013. In her autobiography, How (Not) To Be Strong, Scott revealed she was "madly and deeply in love" with Smith. Acid attack warning and death threats Scott has been forthright about the darker side of celebrity life. She recounted her experience with serious threats, including one involving an acid attack. "There are negatives to fame. I've had plenty of racism, abuse and even death threats," she told The Times. "People were saying, 'She's only on TV because she's black, female and younger. She's just ticking boxes.' I was scared to go out of the house because these trolls were saying they were going to throw acid in my face." Alex Scott and Kelly Smith (R) ended their relationship in 2013 (Image: David Price ) However, a harrowing incident occurred while Scott was covering the World Cup in Moscow for the BBC in 2018. In her memoir, she recounts being kidnapped by an Uber driver, turning what should have been a routine 15-minute journey into a terrifying ordeal. Article continues below After the driver chillingly threatened, "Girls like you, I kill", Scott's quick thinking led her to claim a friendship with Vladimir Putin, having met the Russian president earlier on her trip. She warned the driver: "If I don't see Putin tomorrow, he will find you," – a statement that seemingly saved her, as the driver subsequently dropped her off at her destination.


Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Federer waves the flag as Porsche takes lead at Le Mans
June 14 (Reuters) - Swiss tennis great Roger Federer waved the French flag to get the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans underway on Saturday, with Porsche immediately seizing the lead from Cadillac. Cadillac had swept the front row in Thursday's qualifying but any advantage was short-lived as Porsche Penske's Julien Andlauer slipstreamed into the lead from third on the grid before the first chicane on the opening lap. The race at the Sarthe circuit in north-west France features 62 cars shared by 186 drivers from 34 countries and is the fourth round of the World Endurance Championship, with 21 hypercars in the battle for overall victory. Organisers have put the total weekend attendance at more than 300,000 spectators. Ferrari have won the last two editions and will be able to keep the trophy at their Maranello factory if they complete a hat-trick. After a French air force flypast, retired 20-time grand slam winner Federer waved the flag to release the field in a rolling start for a race through the night and into Sunday afternoon.


Auto Blog
3 hours ago
- Auto Blog
Stellantis Exec Wants Europe to Adopt Cheap, Tiny, Japanese-Style Kei Cars
The spread of Kei cars Though it may seem different today, more than half a century ago, American and European drivers were not as familiar with Japanese automakers and the types of cars they offered. Today, well-known Japanese brands like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are primarily recognized in the West for their locally built compact cars, sedans, crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. However, the situation is quite different in Japan. In fact, the majority of vehicles on the streets in Japan are not Accords, Civics, CR-Vs, Corollas, Crowns, or Camrys; instead, many fall under a category of super-compact vehicles known as 'Kei cars.' These unique compact vehicles are an essential mobility solution for Japanese drivers navigating their roads, but recently, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann encouraged European regulators to consider adopting a similar concept. Exor's CEO and Chairman of Stellantis, John Elkann Europe needs the 'E-car,' says Stellantis Chairman On June 12, Stellantis Chairman John Elkann emphasized the urgent need for Europe to innovate and produce smaller, more affordable vehicles in the same vein as Japanese 'kei cars.' He pointed out that the high prices of current offerings, which he blamed squarely on excessively strict vehicle regulations, are hurting consumer demand for cars on the continent. During his remarks at the 2025 Automotive News Europe Congress, he pointed out that as recently as 2019, nearly 50 different models were sold in Europe with a price tag below €15,000 ($17,400); however, just a single model under that price tag exists these days. Elkann suggested that Europe should look for inspiration from Japan, where tiny and cheap kei cars have long captured a significant market share. He even proposed that Europe's version of the kei car could be named the E-Car. Daihatsu Copen 'There's no reason why, if Japan has a kei car, which is 40 percent of the market, Europe should not have an E-Car,' Elkann said. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. In Europe, Stellantis already sells electric microcars that are classified as quadricycles in some European countries, specifically the bubble-shaped Citroën Ami, Opel Rocks-e, and Fiat Topolino. These vehicles' sales in Europe show a strong market for affordable electric mobility. However, a large variety of cars are offered as kei-compliant vehicles in Japan, including off-roaders like the Japanese-market Suzuki Jimny, roadsters like the Daihatsu Copen, family cars like the Honda N-Box, and even utility-focused kei trucks like the Mitsubishi Minicab. Suzuki Jimny The 'Kei' in Kei car is short for a Japanese word called kei-jidōsha (軽自動車), which roughly translates to 'light vehicle' in English. Kei cars are defined by maximum size and displacement restrictions, meaning they are only allowed to have a maximum length of about 134 inches, a width of about 58 inches, a height of about 79 inches, and a gas engine displacement of 660 cubic centimeters. In Japan, Kei cars are seen as around-town vehicles for city-dwellers, as their size and engine restrictions help owners by guaranteeing much lower tax and insurance costs while freeing up much-needed road space. Elkann emphasized that small cars, like Stellantis's own Fiat 500, have historically represented the core of the European automotive industry and served as a symbol of affordable mobility for the masses. Unfortunately, increasing regulations that made cars heavier and more expensive have made them unprofitable to manufacture. Honda N-BOX — Source: Honda Some of the requirements for cars, ranging from small vehicles to SUVs, include safety features such as sensors that detect when a driver falls asleep and an SOS button. Elkann argues that features significantly increase the cost of vehicles primarily used for short city journeys. 'We are going to face more than 120 new regulations by 2030' in Europe, he said. 'If you look at our engineers, more than 25 percent just work on compliance, so no value is added.' Final thoughts Though the buying preferences of the American car-buying public may indicate that no Fiat, Citroën, or Alfa Romeo-branded European E-cars would make it on American shores, this story out of Europe shows that Stellantis is facing two different kinds of problems on two different continents with huge car-buying potential with two wildly different sets of preferences. While we may be preoccupied with Ram Trucks and Jeep stuff, it is important to note that John Elkann and the incoming CEO, Antonio Filosa, are also responsible for keeping a significant number of Europe's car factories buzzing. However, in remarks at the same conference, Elkann said that Filosa was the right choice in an automotive industry with defined challenges in particular regions. 'The experience that Antonio had running Argentina, running Brazil, running South America, and recently running North America is very much in phase with how the world is going between regulations, tariffs, and how you ultimately navigate that constructively with political forces,' he said. About the Author James Ochoa View Profile