Sun, Apr 03, 2005 - Page 22 News List

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AGENCIES

■ Cycling
Team suspends Hondo

German cyclist Danilo Hondo was suspended by Team Gerolsteiner on Friday for a positive drug test. The German, 31, tested positive twice for a "stimulating substance" at the Tour of Murcia in March, Gerolsteiner said. The team was informed on Thursday by cycling's governing body, UCI. Hondo, who finished second in the Milan-San Remo race on March 19, could be suspended for two years by UCI if a "B" sample proves positive. Gerolsteiner, which entered the Tour de France for the first time in 2003, said the rider was suspended immediately and the team was waiting for more details from the UCI. "Any other statements at this time would be pure speculation," said team manager Hans-Michael Holczer, adding that the team would release any new information as it became available.

■ Golf

Broadhurst and Filipe lead

England's Paul Broadhurst and Portugal's Jose Filipe Lima headed the Portugal Open at 8-under par after the second round on Friday in Cascais. They led by a stroke from Englishmen Barry Lane and Simon Dyson, who set a course record 7-under 64 with seven birdies and an eagle at the Oitavos Golf Club. Broadhurst, a former Ryder Cup player whose last European Tour victory was in the 1995 French Open, made five birdies in shooting a 66. Lima racked up seven birdies in 16 holes in calm, sunny conditions, and carded 65 after a bogey on the 18th. "There was less wind and it was straight into you today, whereas yesterday every shot was into a crosswind which is a nightmare, especially round here where there is a lot of trouble," said Broadhurst. At 6 under were 1999 British Open champion Paul Lawrie, Argentina's Cesar Monasterio, and Englishmen Ian Garbutt and Stuart Little.

■ Swimming

Phelps eases into trials

Michael Phelps withdrew from one of his strongest events at the US trials for swimming's World Championships -- the 400m individual medley -- on Friday in Indianapolis, Indiana, and then won the 400m freestyle, an event he hasn't contested at a major meet since 2003. The 19-year-old Olympic gold medalist led the entire way in the 400m free, completing the distance in 3 minutes, 47.79 seconds and winning by nearly 1.6 seconds. Coach Bob Bowman said he didn't want to push Phelps into two long-distance events on the same day because of a back injury that forced Phelps out of the Short Course World Championships in October. Besides, Bowman said, the schedule at the world championships in July likely would have precluded Phelps from competing in the 400m IM at Montreal.

■ Golf

PGA suffers rain delays

Ian Woosnam will have to wait another day to make his first US PGA Tour appearance of 2005. Rain fell again on Friday in Duluth, Georgia, postponing the opening round of the BellSouth Classic for the second straight day. Heavy thunderstorms also washed out play on Thursday at the TPC at Sugarloaf course. "It's very difficult," said Woosnam. "You tend to get very stiff sitting around just waiting. ... It's hard to keep your concentration going," said the 47-year-old, who will also play next week in the Masters, which he won in 1991. "Every year I look forward to this time. That's why I play this week to try to get myself into a bit of better shape going into Augusta."

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