Pogacar closing in on third Tour de France title after dominant win in the Alps

Pogacar closing in on third Tour de France title after dominant win in the Alps
UAE Team Emirates team's Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey (R) cycles ahead of Soudal Quick-Step team's Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel in the ascent of Isola 2000 during the 19th stage of the Tour de France cycling race. (AFP)
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Updated 20 July 2024
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Pogacar closing in on third Tour de France title after dominant win in the Alps

Pogacar closing in on third Tour de France title after dominant win in the Alps
  • The Slovenian looks almost certain to reclaim the Tour crown from Vingegaard, the two-time defending champion from Denmark, and in doing so secure the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France double
  • Saturday’s 20th and penultimate stage stays in the southern Alps and features three hard category 1 ascents, the last taking the riders up Col de la Couillole

ISOLA 2000, French Alps:  As the finish line approached, Tadej Pogacar looked over his shoulder and saw an empty road.

Moments later, he was a giant step closer to clinching a third Tour de France title by winning another tough mountain stage on Friday. Pogacar pulled away from Jonas Vingegaard to be 5 minutes, 3 seconds ahead of his main rival with two days left.

“Now I have a good lead,” Pogacar said. “I will do the last two days of the Tour on the roads where I have trained my entire professional career.”

The Slovenian looks almost certain to reclaim the Tour crown from Vingegaard, the two-time defending champion from Denmark, and in doing so secure the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France double.

Behind a fading Vingegaard sits Tour debutant Remco Evenepoel of Belgium, who is 7:01 adrift in third place.

Pogacar attacked with about nine kilometers (six miles) left on the final climb of 16 kilometers (10 miles) to the Isola 2000 ski resort. Vingegaard could not follow as Pogacar chased after the Dane’s Jumbo Visma teammate, Matteo Jorgenson. The American rider was alone in front with Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates just behind him.

Carapaz and Yates were caught by Pogacar, leaving just Jorgenson ahead. He was overtaken with two kilometers left as the UAE Team Emirates leader soared to his fourth stage win this month — holding up four fingers to the fans — and 15th Tour stage victory of his career.

“As I approached the last two kilometers, I felt a little drained. I still caught Richard Carapaz and Simon Yates and I could catch up with Matteo Jorgenson,” Pogacar said. “When it was time to pass him, I pushed as hard as possible to overtake him with speed. He was very strong today, as were all the guys in the breakaway. Hats off to them.”

After four hours in the saddle, Pogacar raised both hands in the air as he crossed the line. Jorgensen was 21 seconds behind and Yates 40 seconds back in third. Carapaz was 1:11 back in fourth spot.

“I knew today’s last climb very well. With the team, we planned it well and we did exactly as we said,” Pogacar said. “Our race was 100 percent perfect.”

Evenepoel placed fifth ahead of a disconsolate Vingegaard, with both riders timed at 1:42 behind Pogacar.

Saturday’s 20th and penultimate stage stays in the southern Alps and features three hard category 1 ascents, the last taking the riders up Col de la Couillole.

The Tour ends on Sunday on the French Riviera with a time trail from Monaco to Nice, and not in Paris as it usually does because of the Olympic Games.

Friday’s high-altitude stage may have been Vingegaard’s last chance to take significant time back from Pogacar.

Two of Vingegaard’s Visma teammates — Jorgensen and Dutchman Wilko Kelderman — positioned themselves at the front of a small breakaway and set a strong pace in hot conditions.

The 145-kilometer (90-mile) trek featured two huge climbs known as “hors categorie” (beyond category).

The first came early in the stage, up Col de Vars, and the second just after halfway, to Cime de la Bonette, France’s highest road at an altitude of 2,802 meters.

Despite having two riders at the front, Vingegaard did not attack Pogacar.

After a long descent, there was another hard grind to Isola 2000. Vingegaard could not catch Pogacar and, instead, found himself under pressure from Evenepoel, who just beat him in a sprint to the line.

It was a day to forget for Vingegaard, and another one to savor for Pogacar.

“Reaching the score of 15 Tour stage victories is quite formidable,” he said.
 


Pakistan wins the toss and elects to bat in third and final ODI against Zimbabwe

Pakistan wins the toss and elects to bat in third and final ODI against Zimbabwe
Updated 22 sec ago
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Pakistan wins the toss and elects to bat in third and final ODI against Zimbabwe

Pakistan wins the toss and elects to bat in third and final ODI against Zimbabwe
  • Pakistan recovered from a first-match loss with a 10-wicket win in the second ODI
  • ODI series will be followed by three Twenty20 matches at Bulawayo from Sunday

BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat in the third and final one-day international against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.

Pakistan bounced back from a shocking loss in the rain-affected first match with a 10-wicket win in the second game after a maiden ODI century from Saim Ayub.

The tourists retained the same winning combination with Faisal Akram, Abrar Ahmed, and Salman Ali Agha the three spin options.

Ahmed and Salman sliced through the Zimbabwe batting lineup in the second match by sharing seven wickets between them with leg-spinner Abrar getting 4-33 in his debut ODI.

Zimbabwe brought in wicketkeeper-batter Clive Madande and fast bowling all-rounder Faraz Akram for their first game of the series in place of Brandon Mavuta and Trevor Gwandu.

The ODI series will be followed by a three-match Twenty20 series starting at Bulawayo from Sunday.


LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back

LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back
Updated 8 min 54 sec ago
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LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back

LIV Golf’s Herbert in charge at Australian Open, Smith two back
  • Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so
  • In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green

MELBOURNE: Lucas Herbert drained an eagle at the last in a flawless eight-under-par 63 Thursday to lead the Australian Open in Melbourne and upstage LIV Golf teammate Cameron Smith who trails by two.

In the women’s tournament, Australia’s Su Oh shared a one shot lead with South Korean teenager Yang Hyo-jin ahead of major winner Hannah Green.

Starting on the 10th, Australia’s Herbert sunk six birdies to no bogeys before his sensational eagle propelled him into the outright lead at the second event of the DP World Tour’s 2025 season.

He ended one clear of Rintaro Nakaro — Japan’s amateur champion in 2023 — and American Ryggs Johnson, with 2022 British Open champion Smith a shot further back in a four-way tie.

The mixed Australian Open involves men and women teeing off in alternating groups on the same courses.

Kingston Heath in Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region is the main venue across all four days with Victoria Golf Club also hosting play on the opening two days.

“I felt like there was a lot of shots left out there,” said Herbert, a three-time winner on the European circuit, after negotiating soggy fairways and soft greens.

“I feel like that with every round of golf, to be fair, but didn’t really think I holed that many. Just hit it quite nicely.”

Nakaro was the early pacesetter with eight birdies, but his round was spoilt by a bogey at the last.

“I’m surprised but very happy,” said the 21-year-old, who plans to turn professional next year.

Smith, who finished second at last week’s Australian PGA Championship, is yet to win an Australian Open and has made no secret of his desire to do so.

He was one-over after three, but then reeled off six straight birdies to remain in the hunt.

“I mean the greens are soft and there wasn’t much wind out there this morning, so a lot of those par-fives played really quite short whereas typically you get one hole into the wind or something like that,” he said.

“So yeah, I was just able to take advantage of that.”

At stake for the men is a place at next year’s British Open at Royal Portrush with the top three earning a spot.

Chilean defending champion Joaquin Niemann, Smith and Englishman Jordan Smith are already exempt.

Niemann, also on the LIV Tour, had a day to forget with 73 while Smith carded 70.

Australia’s Su shot nine birdies in her 66 to lead the women’s field alongside Yang, just 17.

But they have Green, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year, breathing down their neck.

“I’ve worked really hard the last few months and felt like I was hitting the ball a lot better and just happy and proud,” said Su.

South African defending champion Ashleigh Buhai struggled to 73 to be seven adrift.


Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club

Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club
Updated 27 min 6 sec ago
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Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club

Record number of local golfers to take part in 2024 Saudi International at Riyadh Golf Club
  • Four Saudis, including Othman Almulla and Faisal Salhab, will participate in next week’s tournament
  • Locals join Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton and Bubba Watson in stellar line-up

RIYADH: For the first time in its history, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers will feature an unprecedented line-up of Saudi Arabian players with four representatives from the Kingdom in the event, which takes place from Dec. 4-7 at Riyadh Golf Club.

Othman Almulla, Faisal Salhab, Saud Al-Sharif and Khalid Walid will take part in the competition, marking a groundbreaking moment for Saudi golf on a global stage. They are joined by Golf Saudi ambassador, the UK-born Shergo Al-Kurdi, who represents Jordan internationally.

Almulla, Saudi Arabia’s first professional golfer, has paved the way for the game’s growth in the Kingdom and remains a key ambassador for the sport. Before turning professional in 2019, he became the first Saudi golfer to win the Qatar Open and qualify for two professional events, the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic and the 2008 Qatar Masters.

“It’s an honour to be part of this milestone for Saudi golf, competing alongside my fellow countrymen on such a prestigious stage,” Almulla said. “The PIF Saudi International is a testament to the incredible progress golf has made in the Kingdom and the bright future ahead. This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without Golf Saudi’s support, and I’m proud to represent Saudi Arabia while inspiring the next generation of golfers to elevate the game even further.”

Salhab turned professional last year and has represented Saudi Arabia at various international tournaments, including the Pan Arab Golf Championships. Attieh, meanwhile, made history in February 2024 at the International Series Oman when he became the first amateur player from Saudi Arabia to make the cut.

Almulla, Salhab and Al-Sharif are also Golf Saudi ambassadors, whose mission is to elevate the game in the Kingdom.

The growing number Saudi players, who will be competing alongside global superstars such as Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Tyrrell Hatton, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, reflect the targets set by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals, which aims to establish the Kingdom as a global golf destination.

Alongside the professional action, the Saudi International aims to encourage more individuals, particularly young Saudis, to take up the sport.

Through its Go Golf initiative, Golf Saudi offers three months of free lessons for all new golfers in the Kingdom, followed by 12 complimentary rounds, as well as discounted memberships and coaching. Golf Saudi is committed to expanding access to the sport for players at all levels and building a vibrant golf community in the Kingdom.


Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland

Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland
Updated 30 min 5 sec ago
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Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland

Trae Young inspires Hawks to victory over Cleveland
  • Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over
  • Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists
  • Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory

MIAMI: Eastern Conference leaders the Cleveland Cavaliers suffered their first home loss of the season with a surprise 135-124 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Cleveland’s second loss of the season came afer a strong second half display from Atlanta with De’Andre Hunter scoring 26 points off the bench, Jalen Johnson adding 22 points and Trae Young contributing 20 with a career-high 22 assists.

Young put the game beyond the Cavs with a 39-foot three-pointer to make it 129-122 with 1:43 remaining just moments after he had turned the ball over.

Johnson said Young’s assists had been crucial to the victory and that he deserved more credit for his role on the team.

“He was really getting off the ball and finding everyone... a lot of people don’t necessarily talk about him even though he’s leading the league in assists, but they don’t talk about him as the playmaker,” Johnson said.

The win moves the Hawks to 8-11 on the season and Young said the team had shown what they were capable of.

“They are a really good team who have been playing well all year and I feel we have been a little inconsistent but the times that we have played well, we’ve played really well,” he said.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 for Cleveland and Evan Mobley put up 22 points and 12 rebounds, but the Cavs missed out on a chance to become the first team to start with an 18-1 record.

Serbian Nikola Jokic led the Denver Nuggets to a convincing 122-103 win at the Utah Jazz with 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.

Denver had come back from an early 12-point deficit with a 21-4 run midway through the game turning the contest in their direction.

The Houston Rockets needed overtime to beat the 3-14 Philadelphia 76ers, with Alperen Sengun scoring 22 points and claiming 14 rebounds and seven assists.

Half of Turkish center Sengun’s points came in overtime where the Rockets made sure of moving to 14-6.

“My teammates trusted me in overtime and I didn’t want to fail them,” Sengun said. “It was ugly but a win is a win in the NBA.”

James Harden scored 43 points for the Los Angeles Clippers as they beat the struggling Washington Wizards 121-96.

Harden scored 23 of his points in the first quarter and left the game late in the third quarter with the Wizards already condemned to their 13th straight defeat.

“We have to continue to find ways to win,” said Harden of the 12-8 Clippers.

“Defensively we need to do a lot better, sometimes we get a little too comfortable... we just need to continue to get better as a unit.”

The Miami Heat defeated the Charlotte Hornets 98-94, with Tyler Herro scoring 27 points and Duncan Robinson draining six three-pointers in the win.

“He’s a shot-maker, he’s not afraid of the moment,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of Herro.

Bam Adebayo claimed 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Heat while LaMelo Ball had 32 points and 10 rebounds for Charlotte.

Miami’s star Jimmy Butler left the game in the third quarter with a tight back and did not return.

The Hornets were closing in on the lead but Herro made a 29-foot three-pointer and then grabbed Ball’s attempted pass to Brandon Miller for the crucial turnover.

Led by Anthony Davis with 19 points and 14 rebounds, the Los Angeles Lakers ended the San Antonio Spurs four-game winning streak with a 119-101 victory.

LeBron James helped with 16 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds while France’s Victor Wembanyama top scored for the Spurs with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Despite being without injured Slovenian star Luka Doncic, the Dallas Mavericks had a comfortable 129-114 win over the New York Knicks with Kyrie Irving scoring 23 points.

Dennis Schroder top scored with 29 points as the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Phoenix Suns 127-117. Kevin Durant put up 30 points and 8 rebounds for the Arizona team.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 35 points and had 9 rebounds and 5 assists for the Oklahoma City Thunder in an impressive 105-101 win at the Golden State Warriors.

The Thunders lost forward Jalen Williams to an eye injury in the second quarter of the game while Stephen Curry was missing for the Warriors due to a knee injury.


Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India

Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India
Updated 28 November 2024
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Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India

Pakistan hopes for fair deal from ICC on Champions Trophy impasse with India
  • PCB says it’s unacceptable that Pakistanis play in India while Indians don’t come to Pakistan
  • Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums chosen for tournament

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan hopes it will get a fair deal on “equality” when the International Cricket Council (ICC) holds a virtual meeting on Friday to finalize details for next year’s Champions Trophy.
There’s an impasse for the eight-team, 50-over format tournament after India declined to tour Pakistan for the event, scheduled to be held from Feb. 19 to March 9.
A decades-long tense political situation between the two South Asian countries hasn’t seen India playing international cricket in Pakistan since 2008 when it competed in Asia Cup.
Both nations have competed in ICC tournaments with Pakistan touring India last year for the 50-overs World Cup.
“I promise we’ll do what is best for Pakistan cricket,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said in Lahore. “We’re still clear in our stance that it’s not acceptable that we play cricket in India, and they don’t play cricket here. Whatever will happen, will happen on the basis of equality. We’ve told the ICC very clearly, and what happens next we’ll let you know.”
The ICC board could decide the issue in a vote among members.
“Whatever we do, we will make sure the best outcome for Pakistan is achieved,” Naqvi said. “But I repeat, and I am sure you know what I mean, it’s not possible that Pakistan play in India, and they don’t come here.”
Earlier this month, the ICC told the PCB that the Board of Control for Cricket in India had informed the game’s governing body it will not tour Pakistan for the event. The PCB sent an email, asking the ICC reasons behind India’s refusal.
Naqvi said he’s been in “constant touch” with the ICC chairman Greg Barckley, but didn’t say whether he got the answers from the game’s governing body as to why India was not willing to tour Pakistan.
Naqvi, who is also the interior minister in the Pakistan government, said that whatever decision the ICC makes on Friday, he will go to his government for the final approval.
Pakistan has spent millions of dollars on the upgrade of three stadiums in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi — the three venues chosen for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said he hoped the renovation of three stadiums will be completed well in time to host the event.