Rookie Pieterse wins stage four of women’s Tour de France

Fenix-Deceuninck's Dutch rider Puck Pieterse (L) crosses the finish line to win followed by Team SD Worx - Protime's Demi Vollering (R) and Canyon//SRAM Racing's Katarzyna Niewiadoma (C) during the 4th stage (out of 8) of the Women's Tour de France cycling race. (AFP)

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Updated 15 August 2024

AFP

August 15, 2024 09:01

Rookie Pieterse wins stage four of women’s Tour de France

It was a first ever road race victory for the 22-year-old cross-discipline star Pieterse, at her first Tour de France
Vollering held onto the leader’s yellow jersey she pulled on after Tuesday’s time-trial in Rotterdam

Updated 15 August 2024

AFP

August 15, 2024 09:01

LIEGE, Belgium: Rookie road rider Puck Pieterse clung on to win stage four of the women’s Tour de France in Liege on Wednesday, with Demi Vollering taking second in a photo finish to conserve the yellow jersey.

It was a first ever road race victory for the 22-year-old cross-discipline star Pieterse, at her first Tour de France.

The result lifted the Dutch rider to second overall, and gave her the best young rider’s white jersey and the polka dot climb jersey.

“To take the win here, in a sprint ahead of Demi, it’s really a dream coming true,” said Pieterse.

“They were riding for the GS (general classification). I’m just here for the stage. I’m fresh. I just tried to keep a poker face and take it from the sprint.

“I think I went quite early in the end. I’ve never been here so didn’t know where the finish was.”

Vollering held onto the leader’s yellow jersey she pulled on after Tuesday’s time-trial in Rotterdam.

“It’s a really good day for me and the whole team,” said Vollering.

“My team did a really good job in keeping me safe in the front, it was a really nice day for us.

“It was just not enough at the line. But it’s nice to see. Puck is a really talented rider and really deserved this win.”

Kasia Niewiadoma of Poland was with the Dutch duo as they entered the final kilometer of a race that started in Valkenburg in the Netherlands, and she launched the dash early with the trio hitting 57kmh after a hilly day.

Defending Tour de France champion Vollering then allowed Pieterse to open a small lead before timing her run to the line slightly wrong.

“I live for this,” said Fenix-Deceuninck rider Pieterse. “I worked up so much for the Olympic Games and when you have good legs there you have good legs here.”

Stage five takes the Tour into France Thursday with Vollering in yellow and Pieterse second overall at 22sec and Niewiadoma third, another 12 seconds back.

Olympic road race champion Kristen Faulkner of the United States is fourth at 47sec.

The Tour finishes on Sunday with one of cycling’s most challenging climbs up Alpe d’Huez.

Topics: Tour de France 2024

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 04:37

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

The 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course took runners through all five boroughs of New York, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park
A few hours after the top runners finished, it was announced that the Sydney Marathon would become the seventh world major marathon, joining Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo, London and New York

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 04:37

NEW YORK: Abdi Nageeye and Sheila Chepkirui used strong kicks in the final mile to pull away from their nearest competitors and both win the New York City Marathon for the first time Sunday.

Nageeye, who became the first runner from the Netherlands to win the men’s race, was step-for-step with 2022 champion Evans Chebet before using a burst of speed heading into Central Park for the final time to come away with the win in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 39 seconds. Chebet finished 6 seconds behind.

“At the finish I was like, am I’m dreaming? I won New York,” Nageeye said.

He had run the New York race three times before with his best finish coming in 2022, when he was third.

“I know the course,” Nageeye said. “Today was two things: survive that race and my race is after 36 (kilometers; 22 miles). I was thinking like a cyclist, survive 36K and you’re going to win.”

Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race in the last stretch.

“Let me push the last mile, let me give it my best,” the Kenyan said. “When we were around 600 meters to go, I said to myself I have to push harder. When I saw Hellen wasn’t coming, I knew I was going to win and was so happy.”

Chepkirui, who started to run marathons in 2022, won in 2:24.35. Obiri finished nearly 15 seconds behind.

Obiri was looking to be the first consecutive champion since Mary Keitany of Kenya won three in a row from 2014-16. Vivian Cheruiyot of Kenya finished third, giving the African nation the top three spots.

Tamirat Tola, the men’s defending champion and Paris Olympic gold medalist, finished fourth, right behind Albert Korir.

“I had a good year,” Tola told The Associated Press through a translator. “I won the Olympics and then to come back to New York after that, you know it’s a tough course. I know that I expended a lot of energy. Around the 33-kilometer mark I felt my muscle tighten and my muscles just couldn’t handle it.”

Tola, who set the course record last year, was looking to be the first back-to-back men’s champion since Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya won in 2011 and 2013. The 2012 race was canceled because of Superstorm Sandy.

The top Americans finished sixth in both races. Conner Mantz led the men and Sara Vaughn the women. Vaughn was in the lead group heading into Mile 20 when they entered the Bronx before she dropped off the lead pack.

Vaughn was geared up to run Chicago before COVID-19 kept her from competing in that race. She was a late addition to this marathon.

The day got started with an upset in the men’s wheelchair race as three-time defending champion Marcel Hug was beaten by Daniel Romanchuk, who also won in 2018 and 2019. Susannah Scaroni won the women’s wheelchair race. It was her second victory in New York, also taking the 2022 race and giving Americans winners in both events — the first time that has happened.

The 26.2-mile (42.2-kilometer) course took runners through all five boroughs of New York, starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. This is the 48th year the race has been in all five boroughs. Before that, the route was completely in Central Park when it began in 1970. The first race had only 55 finishers while more than 50,000 competed this year.

A few hours after the top runners finished, it was announced that the Sydney Marathon would become the seventh world major marathon, joining Berlin, Chicago, Boston, Tokyo, London and New York.

The weather was perfect to run in with temperatures in the lower 40s when the race started. Last year, it was 61 degrees when the race started.

Topics: New York City Marathon Abdi Nageeye Sheila Chepkirui

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 03:12

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

The third-seeded Zverev was in total control of the final to earn his seventh Masters 1000 title, his first in the French capital
Zverev became the second German player to win in Paris after Boris Becker

Updated 04 November 2024

November 04, 2024 03:12

PARIS: Alexander Zverev was imperious in dispatching Frenchman Ugo Humbert 6-2, 6-2 to win the Paris Masters on Sunday.

The third-seeded Zverev was in total control of the final to earn his seventh Masters 1000 title, his first in the French capital. The win also moved him past top-ranked Jannik Sinner for the most wins on the ATP tour this year, at 66.

Zverev’s big serve, excellent returns and great attacking shots did not take long to extinguish the hopes of the partisan crowd as Humbert never got into the match.

Humbert won’t have fond memories of his first Masters final. He tried to play aggressively from the start and to take all the risks to shorten rallies. But he could not find his range while Zverev defended extremely well.

The German quickly solved his rival’s serve and had his first break chance in the third game. He took it when Humbert sent a forehand into the net.

Humbert continued to make unforced errors. Trailing 3-1, he saved two break points but dropped his serve again when another shanked forehand sealed the game.

Zverev dropped just one point on his serve in the opening set and sealed it at love with an ace.

The 15th-seeded Humbert walked back to the locker room after the first set. The interlude didn’t change anything.

The Frenchman double-faulted on his return to the court, continued to make poor tactical decisions and was immediately broken with a forehand into the net. Another break gave Zverev a 3-0 lead as Humbert wasted a 40-0 lead and was never able to stage a comeback.

Zverev became the second German player to win in Paris after Boris Becker. He will overtake Carlos Alcaraz to move into second place in the new ATP rankings and will be a top contender at the ATP Finals gathering the top eight players of the season from Nov. 10-17 in Turin, Italy.

Topics: Paris Masters Alexander Zverev

Man United off to worst Premier League start after Chelsea draw

Updated 04 November 2024

AFP

November 04, 2024 03:00

Man United off to worst Premier League start after Chelsea draw

The Red Devils’ return of just 12 points from 10 games is United’s worst start to a league campaign since 1986/87
Caicedo cost a British transfer record £115 million ($149 million) when he joined Chelsea just over a year ago and is beginning to deliver on that investment after a difficult first season

Updated 04 November 2024

AFP

November 04, 2024 03:00

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Moises Caicedo’s strike denied Manchester United victory in their first Premier League game since sacking Erik ten Hag as Chelsea claimed a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Interim boss Ruud van Nistelrooy, who will be replaced by Ruben Amorim later his month, sprinted down the touchline in celebration after Bruno Fernandes put United in front from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.

Caicedo quickly replied for the Blues, who edge above Arsenal on goal difference into fourth place in the table.

A point leaves United still down in 13th, six points off the top four.

The Red Devils’ return of just 12 points from 10 games is United’s worst start to a league campaign since 1986/87.

Amorim was not in attendance as he prepares to take charge of Sporting Lisbon for the one of the final times against Manchester City in the Champions League on Tuesday.

United were far more competitive than in 3-0 demolitions by Liverpool and Tottenham at home this season, but showed many of the same flaws that cost Ten Hag his job.

Van Nistelrooy enjoyed a 5-2 demolition of an under-strength Leicester in his first match in charge to reach the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek.

Still a hero among the United fans from his days as a prolific striker, the Dutchman’s name was chanted in a buoyant pre-match atmosphere.

However, a Chelsea side that have lost once in nine Premier League games, provided a much stiffer test for a United side still short on confidence.

Both sides hit the woodwork in a disappointing first 45 minutes as Noni Madueke hit the post from a corner before Marcus Rashford clipped the bar with a cushioned volley in the last action of the half.

Pedro Neto’s burst of pace nearly gave Chelsea a dream start to the second period but the Portuguese winger’s shot flew just past the far post.

However, the Blues remain overly reliant on Cole Palmer for inspiration.

The boyhood United fan, who began his career at Manchester City before joining Chelsea last year, was kept quiet by Van Nistelrooy’s pairing of Casemiro alongside Manuel Ugarte in midfield.

Before kick-off only Southampton had scored fewer than United’s eight Premier League goals in nine games this season.

The lack of efficiency in front of goal that Ten Hag often bemoaned was in evidence again.

“Over the last games we played we lost some points where we didn’t convert our chances,” said Van Nistelrooy, who is set to take charge of two more games.

“When you create a lot, all through the season so far, I’m not too worried the players will get in a flow with results and confidence growing. Results will come.”

Alejandro Garnacho wasted a glorious chance to open the scoring from Fernandes’ cut-back with a tame effort that looped into the arms of Robert Sanchez.

United were gifted the chance to break the deadlock when Sanchez clipped Rasmus Hojlund inside the box.

Fernandes kept his cool to send the Spanish international goalkeeper the wrong way and spark wild celebrations from Van Nistelrooy.

United’s joy was short-lived as Chelsea hit back within four minutes.

A corner was only cleared to the edge of the box, where Caicedo connected a sweet strike to fire into the bottom corner.

Caicedo cost a British transfer record £115 million ($149 million) when he joined Chelsea just over a year ago and is beginning to deliver on that investment after a difficult first season.

“Since we arrived Moi is doing fantastic,” said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca.

“The problem with Moi is because the club paid big money, people expect them to be the best. It is normal to be a bit up and down. We are trying to improve him and he is showing how good he is.”

Chelsea should have struck again moments later when substitute Enzo Fernandez spooned over with Andre Onana stranded.

But it was United who came closest in a frantic finale when Garnacho’s acrobatic effort flew just over.

Topics: english Premier League Man United Chelsea

Atalanta stun Serie A leader Napoli 3-0

Updated 03 November 2024

November 03, 2024 23:29

Atalanta stun Serie A leader Napoli 3-0

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini surprisingly opted to drop Retegui

Updated 03 November 2024

November 03, 2024 23:29

MILAN: Despite — or perhaps because of — the absence of the league’s top goalscorer from the starting lineup, Atalanta stunned Serie A leader Napoli by winning 3-0 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday.

Mateo Retegui was surprisingly benched but Ademola Lookman netted twice in the first half to inflict what was only Napoli’s second defeat of the season, and the first since the opening day.

Retegui was brought on with 14 minutes remaining and scored in stoppage time for his 11th goal in as many matches.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini surprisingly opted to drop Retegui. That was reportedly because he wanted a more unpredictable attack against a Napoli defense that had kept clean sheets in six of its past seven matches and only conceded five goals all season.

Gasperini instead picked Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere in attack with Mario Pasalic behind them and that paid off almost immediately as Atalanta took the lead in the 10th minute.

A cross was cleared by Napoli but only as far as the edge of the area where it was put back in and De Ketelaere nodded it back for Lookman to slot into the near bottom corner.

Napoli almost leveled immediately, but Scott McTominay’s powerful effort crashed off the right post.

The Atalanta forward combined again in the 31st as De Ketelaere raced down the right and squirmed between two players before passing across to Lookman, who slotted a hard shot into the far bottom corner.

Sead Kolasinac thought he had extended Atalanta’s lead early in the second half but the defender was offside.

Retegui was brought on for De Ketelaere late on and he volleyed a cross into the bottom right corner.

Topics: Serie A Napoli Atlanta

Max Verstappen strikes title blow with chaotic Brazilian GP win, Lando Norris sixth

Updated 03 November 2024

AFP

November 03, 2024 18:52

Max Verstappen strikes title blow with chaotic Brazilian GP win, Lando Norris sixth

The Dutchman’s triumph lifted him to 393 points, increasing his advantage over Norris, on 331, to 62
Alpine’s French duo of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly also on the podium

Updated 03 November 2024

AFP

November 03, 2024 18:52

SAO PAULO: Three-time world champion Max Verstappen produced a virtuoso drive in often atrocious conditions to regain control of this year’s world championship on Sunday when he charged from 17th on the grid to win the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Without a win in 10 races since the Spanish Grand Prix in May, Red Bull’s series leader made light of the chaotic, rain-swept conditions to register a 62nd career triumph and fastest lap while nearest title rival Lando Norris of McLaren went from pole position to sixth.
The Dutchman’s triumph lifted him to 393 points, increasing his advantage over Norris, on 331, to 62 with just three Grands Prix and one sprint race remaining.
Verstappen finished 19.477 seconds ahead of Alpine’s French duo of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly with Mercedes’ George Russell fourth and Charles Leclerc fifth for Ferrari in a tumultuous contest of accidents, two red-flag stoppages, penalties and planned post-race investigations.
For Alpine, the reward was a leap from ninth to sixth in the constructors championship, reportedly valued at an estimated $50 million.
Norris, who struggled to find his usual pace, came home sixth ahead of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, RB’s Yuki Tsunoda and Liam Lawson and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in the second Mercedes.
Verstappen’s success came on the day he overhauled Michael Schumacher’s record of leading the drivers standings for 896 days while many of his rivals faced post-race investigations for various sporting misdemeanours.
“My emotions have been a rollercoaster today — that unlucky qualifying and starting 17th made it such a tough race, but we stayed out of trouble, made the right calls and it is unbelievable to win here from so far back,” said Verstappen.
“What a day,” said a beaming Ocon. “After this difficult season, it’s so nice to drive here and the rain levelled out the performance so I am very happy.”
Gasly added: “Just incredible! For the whole team, after such a tough season, struggling for points, but two cars on the podium. Nobody would have put that on their bingo card.”
After a wet and wild qualifying, Lance Stroll set the tone when he spun off in his Aston Martin on the formation lap, leading to a delayed second start before which Norris led away without a green light and, along with Russell and both RB drivers, faced a post-race investigation.
The big Sunday crowd, part of an Interlagos weekend record of 291,717 waited patiently as Norris finally led a third formation lap before Russell beat him at the start.
Norris tucked into second ahead of Tsunoda on a frantic opening lap that saw Verstappen climb from 17th to 11th, passing Hamilton for 10th on lap two as light rain fell. By lap six, Verstappen was eighth.
By lap 11, Verstappen was sixth and clearly the fastest man on track while a struggling Hamilton bounced off before being passed by Williams driver Franco Colapinto to the delight of the many Argentine fans.
As heavy rain arrived, Leclerc pitted and fell to 11th, Lawson slid off and Nico Hulkenberg pitted before beaching his Haas, prompting a Virtual Safety Car on lap 28.
The German recovered, with aid, to re-join for which he was disqualified.
Another round of pit-stops left Ocon leading ahead of Verstappen, who stayed out to gain a tactical advantage, as Norris passed Russell for fourth behind Gasly as a Safety Car was deployed again before being red-flagged on lap 33 when Colapinto smacked the barriers at Turn 14.
“I guess everyone can just change tires for free now,” said a glum Norris realizing Verstappen had been given a cost-free pit-stop that transformed the race.
A second Safety Car, the seventh of the day, intervened on lap 40 when Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz spun off at Turn Eight and retired.
On resumption, Verstappen seized control when he powered inside Ocon to lead at Turn One while Norris ran off and dropped to seventh.
Ocon stayed second ahead of Gasly and Leclerc, but the Dutchman had the initiative and momentum, turning most pre-race forecasts on their head, making a fourth drivers title look inevitable.

Topics: Motorosport Formula One Formula 1 F1 Brazil Brazilian Grand Prix Red Bull Racing McLaren Max Verstappen Lando Norris

Rookie Pieterse wins stage four of women’s Tour de France

Rookie Pieterse wins stage four of women’s Tour de France

Defending women’s Tour de France champion Demi Vollering wins time trial and takes overall lead

Pogacar on brink of third Tour de France triumph ahead of Riviera finale

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

Tamirat Tola and Hellen Obiri look to defend titles in New York City Marathon

Stellar women’s field takes aim at New York City Marathon record on Sunday

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

Zverev dispatches Humbert in straight sets to win Paris Masters

Humbert knocks out Alcaraz to join Zverev and Tsitsipas in Paris Masters quarterfinals

Alcaraz and Tsitsipas reach 3rd round at Paris Masters but Rublev loses temper and match

Man United off to worst Premier League start after Chelsea draw

Man United off to worst Premier League start after Chelsea draw

Man United hope for Van Nistelrooy magic, Arsenal face Newcastle test

Cole Palmer fires Chelsea to victory over Newcastle, West Ham pile more pressure on Ten Hag

Atalanta stun Serie A leader Napoli 3-0

Atalanta stun Serie A leader Napoli 3-0

Napoli extend lead at top of Serie A with win at AC Milan

Max Verstappen strikes title blow with chaotic Brazilian GP win, Lando Norris sixth

Max Verstappen strikes title blow with chaotic Brazilian GP win, Lando Norris sixth

McLaren’s Norris wins sprint race at Brazilian Grand Prix to cut gap on overall leader Verstappen

Time running out for Norris to catch Verstappen in F1 title chase as series heads to Mexico City

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Rookie Pieterse wins stage four of women’s Tour de France

Rookie Pieterse wins stage four of women’s Tour de France

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Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win New York City Marathon

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