BERLIN, June 19 —Yamaha's reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo won the German Grand Prix today to extend his lead in the riders' standings, while his closest championship contender Aleix Espargaro of Aprilia finished fourth at the Sachsenring.

Frenchman Quartararo, who started second on the grid, stormed into the lead when the lights went out as pole sitter Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati dropped down to second.

The duo battled for the lead over the next three laps before the Ducati rider slipped and crashed, leaving Quartararo to cruise to the finish.

Quartararo's compatriot Johann Zarco of Pramac Racing briefly threatened to challenge him for the lead but ultimately settled for second place, while Ducati's Jack Miller capitalised on an Espargaro mistake late in the race to take third. — Reuters

BERLIN, June 17 — RB Leipzig today signed Austria central midfielder Xaver Schlager from Bundesliga rivals VfL Wolfsburg after actioning an release clause in his contract.

According to reports, Leipzig will pay around €12 million (RM55 million) for the 24-year-old, who has signed a contract until 2026.

“RB Leipzig are one of Germany’s top teams and are consistently in Europe, they have now won their first major title with the German Cup,” said Schlager in a statement.

“I’m really pleased I can continue my development here.”

The Austrian made 81 appearances, scoring three goals, for Wolfsburg, who he joined in 2019 from Leipzig’s sister club Red Bull Salzburg.

He was a first-choice player despite a serious ankle injury in 2019 and torn knee ligaments at the start of last season which sidelined him until February. — AFP

LONDON, June 17 — Tottenham announced the signing today of midfielder Yves Bissouma from Brighton for a reported fee of £25 million (RM134 million), giving manager Antonio his third signing of the transfer window.

The highly rated Mali international shone as Brighton achieved their best-ever Premier League finish of ninth last season.

Bissouma has signed a four-year deal and will join new arrivals Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster at the London club.

“The transfer is a very good one for the club and player,” said Brighton manager Graham Potter.

“Yves has shown his undoubted ability and been an important player for us during his time with us.

“Now he has a new challenge with Tottenham, including the opportunity to play Champions League football, and everyone at the club wishes him well.” — AFP

BERLIN, June 17 — Bayern Munich are set to sign Senegal star Sadio Mane from Liverpool, according to German media reports today.

Both broadcaster Sky and top selling daily Bild say the clubs have agreed a transfer fee of €32 million (RM147 million) plus up to nine million in bonuses.

Mane is set to receive a three year contract.

The 30-year-old could replace Bayern’s Poland star striker Robert Lewandowski who has repeatedly said he wants to leave and has been linked to Barcelona.

Mane would be Bayern’s third signing this summer after Netherlands midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and Morocco right-back Noussair Mazraoui were both signed from Ajax. — AFP

BERLIN, June 17 — Champions Bayern Munich will kick off the new Bundesliga season at Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt on August 5, the German Football League (DFL) announced today.

On the opening weekend, last season’s runners up Borussia Dortmund host fellow Champions League side Bayer Leverkusen and there is a Berlin derby with Union at home to neighbours Hertha.

As the World Cup in Qatar runs from November 21 until the final on December 18, the Bundesliga pauses after the weekend of November 12 and resumes on January 20, 2023.

The German Super Cup, traditionally the season opener, takes place on July 30 when domestic cup winners RB Leipzig host Bundesliga champions Bayern.

That same weekend, the first round of the German Cup takes place with Bayern and Leipzig playing their ties at the end of August. — AFP

ROME, June 16 — Mattia De Sciglio has signed an extension to his Juventus contract which will keep him at the club until 2025, the Serie A side announced today.

Italy’s De Sciglio played 29 times for Juve in all competitions last season after returning from a loan at Lyon.

The full-back, 29, has been at the Turin giants since 2017, winning three league titles and an Italian Cup.

Last year, Juve finished fourth in Serie A, failing to win a trophy for the first time since 2010.

De Sciglio has represented his country 40 times. — AFP