Motor Racing: Brazilian Nelson Piquet junior became the first Formula E champion yesterday as the new electric series wrapped up its debut season with a race that had the crowd making more noise than the cars. Piquet, whose father and namesake was a triple Formula One world champion, finished seventh in the final race in London’s Battersea Park to beat Switzerland’s Sebastien Buemi by one point overall. The race was won by Britain’s Sam Bird for Virgin Racing after Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin took the chequered flag in the lead but was then demoted to 15th for excessive energy use.
Ice Hockey, NHL: Andong Song made history on Saturday when he became the first Chinese-born player chosen in a National Hockey League draft. The New York Islanders took the defenceman in the sixth round, with the 172nd overall pick. “I am the first,” said Song, 18. “Hopefully, what I want to do is rally people behind me, not focus on myself but do something good for Chinese hockey.” Born in Beijing, Song began playing hockey in China before his family moved to Canada at age 10 to continue his development in Oakville, Ontario in the Rangers minor hockey system. Song captained the varsity team at Lawrenceville School in New Jersey last season.
Tennis: Spain’s David Ferrer has pulled out of Wimbledon with an elbow injury. The 33-year-old eighth seed was due to face Britain’s James Ward in the first round at SW19, but has been forced out of action. Ward will now take on lucky loser Luca Vanni of Italy, ranked number 100 in the world, tomorrow. Ferrer could have been a potential quarter-final opponent for 2013 champion Andy Murray, but his withdrawal may also prove a boost for compatriot Rafael Nadal, also in the same half of the Wimbledon draw.
Cycling: Lizzie Armitstead yesterday won the British Championships road race for a third time with a breakaway victory in Lincoln. The Commonwealth Games champion and Olympic silver medallist was pipped to victory by Laura Trott 12 months ago in Abergavenny, but showed her intent by attacking on the penultimate ascent of Michaelgate. The 26-year-old was a doubt to start in Lincoln following her Aviva Women’s Tour-ending crash 10 days ago, but prevailed over the 103.5-kilometre course to celebrate victory in front of Lincoln Cathedral. Mountain bike specialist Alice Barnes was second, with two-time Olympic track champion Trott third.