Evenepoel survives fright to win time trial as Pogacar holds lead

Evenepoel survives fright to win time trial as Pogacar holds lead
Soudal Quick Step team's Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel celebrates on the podium with the best young rider's white jersey after the 7th stage of the Tour de France cycling race on July 5, 2024. (AFP)
Short Url
Updated 06 July 2024
Follow

Evenepoel survives fright to win time trial as Pogacar holds lead

Evenepoel survives fright to win time trial as Pogacar holds lead
  • It was a first Tour de France stage win for the 24-year-old Belgian time trial world champion who finished 12sec ahead of Pogacar
  • The result left the ‘Fab Four’ of favorites in the top four positions after seven stages of the 21-day race which ends in Nice

GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN: Remco Evenepoel recovered from a scare to win a thrilling 25.3km stage seven time trial at the Tour de France on Friday as Tadej Pogacar dug deep to keep the overall leader’s yellow jersey.

It was a first Tour de France stage win for the 24-year-old Belgian time trial world champion who finished 12sec ahead of Pogacar, who was second on the day in the Burgundy vineyards.

Evenepoel was powering to a wider margin of victory but lost seconds after being startled by a sudden noise with three kilometers to go.

The Belgian at first thought he had a mechanical issue and bounced hard to test his bike and ensure he could continue.

“I thought, I had a problem, but in fact it was a noise from the crowd,” said Evenepoel of the Quick Step team.

“It was nothing really, but I lost four or five seconds.”

“The fans were great, and it was wonderful to hear them banging like that, it was madness, a dream come true.”

Veteran Primoz Roglic was third at 34sec and two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard fourth at 37sec.

The result left the ‘Fab Four’ of favorites in the top four positions after seven stages of the 21-day race which ends in Nice.

Pogacar holds a 33 seconds advantage on Evenepoel in the overall standings with Vingegaard third at 1min 15sec.

“I knew I was putting in a good time. My sports director was being super positive in my micro,” said Pogacar, who nevertheless looked glum at the finish line.

The 25-year-old Pogacar, who won the 2020 and 2021 Tours, is targeting the first Giro d’Italia-Tour double since Marco Pantani in 1998.

“It’s a long way to Nice, but if all goes well I should be alright for the final day,” he said.

“There’s not much to look forward to: stressful days.

“I can’t wait to get into the mountains.”

The four favorites sped down the starting ramp at Nuits-Saint-Georges within ten minutes of each other, making the finale a nail-biting edge of the seat affair.

At the raucous finish line, fans pounded on the barriers and cheered a see-saw struggle that panned out well for all four pretenders.

Evenepoel has now beaten Pogacar in all six time trials in which they have gone head-to-head.

Dane Vingegaard had beaten Pogacar in the last two time trials they faced off, but dropped time on the Slovenian on Friday.

As his reputation grows day by day on this Tour, Evenepoel looked ahead to Sunday’s stage, a 199km circuit through the Champagne region that includes 35km on gravel.

“I have gone over it twice. It’ll be stressful, long, nervy, you can’t quite win the Tour there, but you could lose it there with a bit of bad luck,” he said.

Before that, Saturday’s stage in a rolling 183km run through more wine growing regions where attacks from the lower ranks should shake things up.


DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
Updated 22 min 19 sec ago
Follow

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea

DeChambeau holds off Howell as cruisers sweep LIV GOLF Korea
  • 6-under 66 by the American helped secure the individual and team titles in Incheon

INCHEON: Crushers GC Captain Bryson DeChambeau finally converted a 36-hole lead into a LIV Golf victory on Sunday but his teammate Charles Howell III did not make it easy for him.

DeChambeau countered Howell’s final-round nine-under 63 with a six-under 66 in a spirited back-nine final-group duel to win the individual title by two shots at LIV Golf Korea presented by Coupang Play.

His Crushers made it a sweep of the trophies at Jack Nicklaus Golf Club Korea by rallying past Smash GC to win the team title.

“Charles and I had a great battle out there,” said DeChambeau, who finished at 19 under. “He never wavered today. It was fun and we had a great time today, but it was intense. Super-intense.”

The individual victory is DeChambeau’s third in LIV Golf, but his first since 2023 — and his first after entering the final round with the lead.

Recent Sundays have ended in disappointment, both in the previous two LIV Golf events in Miami and Mexico City in which DeChambeau led after 36 holes, as well as last month’s Masters in which he led with 16 holes left.

He entered Sunday with a healthy four-shot lead, but Howell — starting the day five back — opened with three consecutive birdies and was four under at the turn. Meanwhile, DeChambeau suffered his only bogey of the week at the par-four sixth and made the turn at even par, his lead reduced to one.

While other players sought to make some noise — 4Aces GC’s Thomas Pieters birdied five of his first six holes while Smash’s Talor Gooch finished strong — the individual title eventually came down to the two Crushers teammates and close friends.

Both turned up the heat on the back nine, with DeChambeau making birdies on four of his next six holes while Howell strung together five consecutive birdies. With three holes remaining, the two were tied at 17 under.

But Howell suffered his only bogey of the day after his tee shot found a fairway bunker at the 16th. DeChambeau followed by creating breathing room at the 17th, rolling in a 15-meter birdie putt before letting out a roar and pumping his fists.

DeChambeau then managed to stay out of trouble — barely — with his tee shot at the par-five 18th, ending the round with a birdie and a big sigh of relief.

“I feel like I’ve been playing some great golf, but I just haven’t gotten the job done,” DeChambeau said.

“That was a lot of tension. Just glad I was able to step up to the plate and get it done. … I was personally pretty nervous on the front nine for whatever reason. … Finally on 17, the bubble burst and I felt really good.”

For Howell, the performance confirms he is back from the stress fracture in his left tibia that knocked him out of action for three months in the middle of last season. The solo second is his first podium result since winning in Mayakoba to start the 2023 season.

“I knew today would be a tough day to catch Bryson and even to try to beat him, but I gave it my best,” Howell said. “I definitely would’ve thought nine-under would have done it, and clearly it didn’t.”

“Any time you shoot nine-under par in the last group, and you still don’t win, it’s a tough day,” he added.


Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
Updated 27 min 7 sec ago
Follow

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship

Baniyas crowned champions of third round of Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
  • Last day of action at Mubadala Arena saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third

ABU DHABI: The third round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi with Baniyas Club taking first place.

Competitions for the U-12 and kids categories also saw Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club securing second place and Al-Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club finishing third.

Yousef Abdullah Al-Batran, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said: “The continued support of the wise leadership for jiu-jitsu reflects its belief in the sport’s importance in promoting physical and mental well-being and instilling noble values. This plays a key role in building a cohesive society where sport is an essential pillar of sustainable development and global leadership.”

Meanwhile, Ahmed Saeed Al-Jarwan, president of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, praised the high level of organization and wide participation in the event, highlighting the growing popularity of jiu-jitsu in the UAE.

The championship’s fourth round is scheduled for June.


Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
Updated 05 May 2025
Follow

Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold to leave Liverpool
  • Born in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world

LIVERPOOL: England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is leaving Liverpool, the club he has been at since the age of six, he said on social media platform X on Monday, calling it the hardest decision of his life.
Born in Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold rose through the youth ranks to become one of the best right backs in the world, winning two Premier League titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup with the English team.
“This club has been my whole life – my whole world — for 20 years,” Alexander-Arnold said in his statement. “From the Academy right through until now, the support and love I have felt from everyone inside and outside of the club will stay with me forever. I will forever be in debt to you all.
“But, I have never known anything else and this decision is about experiencing a new challenge, taking myself out of my comfort zone and pushing myself both professionally and personally.”
The 26-year-old England international frequently played in a hybrid midfield role for Liverpool in recent seasons, operating as a full back when out of possession but moving into midfield during attacks.


Dubai Basketball end regular season with dramatic comeback victory

Dubai Basketball end regular season with dramatic comeback victory
Updated 05 May 2025
Follow

Dubai Basketball end regular season with dramatic comeback victory

Dubai Basketball end regular season with dramatic comeback victory
  • 79-75 triumph was 13th consecutive win, sees them in dominant form ahead of playoffs

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball cemented their form ahead of the playoffs with a monumental 13th consecutive victory, overcoming ABA League regular season leaders Buducnost VOLI in another decisive final quarter at home to triumph 79-75.

The Montenegrin side arrived in Dubai as the league’s toughest challenge but the hosts delivered under pressure as they continued their historic streak before turning their sights to the playoffs which begin on Sunday, May 11.

Head coach Jurica Golemac said: “It was like a final. Congratulations to the players and congratulations to the fans. The focus was unbelievable in the second half — we allowed only 27 points. We controlled most of it and truly deserved this win.”

The game’s most electric moment came in the final quarter. With just minutes on the clock and the outcome still in the balance, Awudu Abass intercepted a crucial play and charged through the Buducnost defence for a sensational fast-break dunk, giving Dubai a five-point advantage in front of a 4,500-strong crowd at Coca-Cola Arena.

Dubai Basketball’s fourth-quarter performance pushed their fans into a frenzy as the game was held to just a two-point difference. Showing up when it mattered the most, captain Klemen Prepelic sealed the win with his final-point free throw.

The win secured a top-four finish for Dubai Basketball, which means their playoff campaign will open at home. The team will face Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija on Sunday in what will be a historic game for the club.

Describing the team’s fans as their sixth player, Golemac said: “We are calling all the fans to come next week — in seven days — for the first game of the playoffs. We are going to need their support more than ever.”


Ferrari frustration mounts as Hamilton and Leclerc struggle at Miami Grand Prix

Ferrari frustration mounts as Hamilton and Leclerc struggle at Miami Grand Prix
Updated 05 May 2025
Follow

Ferrari frustration mounts as Hamilton and Leclerc struggle at Miami Grand Prix

Ferrari frustration mounts as Hamilton and Leclerc struggle at Miami Grand Prix
  • There was little improvement to his performance, and Hamilton was ordered by Ferrari to give up seventh place in Sunday’s race to teammate Charles Leclerc
  • Hamilton settled for eighth, his worst finish since he was disqualified from the second race of the season

MIAMI GARDENS: Lewis Hamilton arrived at the Miami Grand Prix admittedly frustrated with his slow start to the Formula 1 season driving for Ferrari.
There was little improvement to his performance, and Hamilton was ordered by Ferrari to give up seventh place in Sunday’s race to teammate Charles Leclerc. Hamilton settled for eighth, his worst finish since he was disqualified from the second race of the season.
Even so, the seven-time F1 champion was upbeat after the race.
“I generally enjoyed the race,” Hamilton said. “I think this weekend, while we were not as quick as we want to be, I feel like I had a better weekend in general. The result might not show it, but I was 12th to seventh.”
Hamilton even briefly thought he’d have a fantastic day when a change to medium tires made him feel “the car really come alive and I felt super optimistic in that moment.”
Even so, Ferrari had nothing for McLaren Racing, which went 1-2 with Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
“I think it wasn’t a good weekend ... we can’t be satisfied with P7 and P8,” said Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur. “You start P8 and P12, it’s almost impossible to fight your way back and challenge the cars ahead. The other thing is that McLaren was probably on another planet. We had enough pace to battle with Red Bull and Mercedes, but not with McLaren.”
Piastri has four victories this year — three in a row — and Norris has one as McLaren has won five of the first six races. Four-time defending F1 champion Max Verstappen has one win, while Ferrari has yet to even challenge with Hamilton and Leclerc.
Compounding problems for Ferrari in Miami was a crash on Saturday when Leclerc lost control of his car as he headed out to the track for the sprint race. He wasn’t able to compete in the sprint and Ferrari had to hustle to even have him ready for qualifying.
Hamilton finished third in the sprint race but then failed to carry the momentum into qualifying. His only complaint after the race, though? Not the team orders to give Leclerc position, but in how slow Ferrari was to communicate the plan.
It seemed that Ferrari told Leclerc before the team told Hamilton, so when Leclerc first attempted the pass, it didn’t work. Once Hamilton got the message, the British driver let Leclerc by on the next lap.
“This is not good team work. That’s all I’m going to say,” Hamilton said on the Ferrari team radio.
After the race, Hamilton said he thought he was actually pretty fast when Ferrari called for the position swap.
“I was clearly quick at that moment and I didn’t think the decision came quick enough,” Hamilton said. “And then for sure, in that time, you’re like ‘Come on.’ I have no problems with the team or Charles. I think we can do better, but the car is where we really need to go to work.”
Leclerc said he knows Ferrari’s drama in Miami will make for a compelling controversy in F1, but that the true problem is the car just isn’t good enough.
“We need to do better, that’s for sure. Today was not ideal and was far from maximizing our potential,” he said. “We’ve got to regroup as a team and be better.”
He admitted that like Hamilton, Leclerc is also frustrated by Ferrari’s performance so far this season. His best finish to date was third at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last month.
“There’s frustration already that you are, I was fighting for P8 and I was not making any gains,” Leclerc said. “I was really struggling with the car, so there’s a frustration of that and then all the rest and it all adds up.”