The five Monuments of cycling—Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and Il Lombardia—are prestigious one-day races with rich histories. These races, staples in men’s cycling for over a century, challenge riders with unique terrains such as cobbled roads and hilly ascents. The women's versions of these races have developed more recently, with four out of the five now included (excluding Il Lombardia). Each race has its own character: Milan-San Remo is known for its iconic climbs like the Poggio; Tour of Flanders features challenging Belgian cobblestones; Paris-Roubaix, nicknamed "Hell of the North," tests riders on rough French pavé; Liège-Bastogne-Liège is renowned for its arduous climbs; and Il Lombardia closes the season amidst autumnal landscapes. Notable winners include Eddy Merckx and Anna van der Breggen, highlighting the elite level of competition in these classic events.

Max Verstappen acknowledged the Racing Bulls team's strong performance at the Japanese Grand Prix, with their VCARB 02 car proving easier to drive than Red Bull’s RB21. During practice sessions, Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar secured P3, while struggling Red Bull driver Liam Lawson finished P5, ahead of Verstappen in P8. Yuki Tsunoda, new to Red Bull, found the RB21 more challenging than anticipated. Telemetry data showed Racing Bulls gaining time on straights compared to Red Bull, possibly due to engine modes or fuel levels. Despite Racing Bulls’ impressive showing, Friday's results may not fully reflect competitive standings due to hidden variables and cautious engine settings. Long-run data suggested McLaren as the weekend favorite, with Red Bull needing improvements as evidenced by their struggles in practice.

Former NASCAR driver Ward Burton criticizes young drivers, especially in the Xfinity Series, for lacking respect toward competitors. He attributes this to early opportunities that bypass crucial learning experiences. The debate intensified following a Martinsville incident where Sammy Smith crashed into Taylor Gray, sparking a confrontation. Burton recalls earning respect from veterans by avoiding such actions, contrasting today's younger drivers who often lack this mindset due to earlier entry into higher series. With drivers now entering at younger ages, there are concerns about maintaining respect levels. Whether NASCAR will adjust rules to address this remains uncertain.