Sports Briefly: Lewis Hamilton wins F1 race

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton pulled off an aggressive passing move on teammate Nico Rosberg and went on to win the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday in Suzuka, moving a step closer to claiming his second consecutive Formula One title.

Hamilton, who had his first retirement of the season at last weekend's Singapore GP, capitalized on a strong start and surged ahead of Rosberg at the first corner. He led the rest of the way, crossing the finish line a comfortable 18.9 seconds ahead. Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel was third, 1.8 seconds behind Rosberg, who started from the pole.

With five races left, Hamilton has a 48-point lead over Rosberg. Hamilton claimed his eighth win of the season. It was his 41st career win, tying him with his childhood hero Ayrton Senna.

"I'm not a teary guy, but I'm full of joy and happiness today," Hamilton said.

Rosberg and Hamilton went through the first two bends side by side. Hamilton appeared to give Rosberg little room at the second turn, forcing the German partially off the track.

Esteban Toledo held off 66-year-old Tom Watson by a stroke at Pebble Beach in the Champions Tour's First Tee Open.

The 52-year-old Mexican player shot a 3-under 69, rebounding from a bogey on the par-3 17th with a par on the par-5 18th for a 9-under 206 total.

Watson finished with a 67. The Hall of Famer moved into a tie for the lead at 9 under on the par-4 16th with his seventh birdie of the round but bogeyed the 17th.

With a payment and an apology, Lance Armstrong settled a decade-long dispute with a promotions company that sought repayment of more than $10 million in bonuses after he admitted using performance-enhancing drugs.

Dallas-based SCA Promotions first pursued evidence of doping against Armstrong in 2005, and its testimony helped lay the foundation for later doping charges that cost Armstrong his record seven Tour de France victories.

Armstrong did not reveal how much he paid SCA but in a statement to the Associated Press apologized "for any misconduct on my part."

Slovakian star Peter Sagan attacked with a mile left in the road world championships in Richmond, Va., then powered down Broad Street to capture the gold medal in a thrilling finish.

With a flourish, Sagan tossed his bike aside and thrust his arms into the air.

"Probably the most deserving winner we've had at the world championships in a while," said American standout Taylor Phinney.

Men's tennis: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga beat fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-2 to win the Open de Moselle tournament in Metz for the third time.

Road racing: Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, despite trouble from a slipping insole, won the Berlin Marathon in a personal-best time of 2 hours, 4 minutes. Gladys Cherono of Kenya won the women's race in 2:19.25.

Drag racing: Antron Brown raced to second straight Top Fuel victory and fourth in a row at Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill., at the NHRA Midwest Nationals. Del Worsham won in Funny Car, Drew Skillman in Pro Stock and Hector Arana Jr. in Pro Stock Motorcycle.