German rider Heinrich Haussler won a sprint finish for the 219km first stage of the Dauphine Libere Criterium on Monday between Grenoble and Roanne in the Loire Valley.
The 23-year-old Gerolsteiner rider crossed the line ahead of Belgium Tom Boonen and Australian Graeme Brown after the longest stage of the race.
Britain's Bradley Wiggins of Cofidis holds the leader's yellow and blue jersey after finishing safely in the pack.
Photo: AFP
Boonen would have been expected to dominate the final sprint but he found himself short of team-mates, with only Steven De Jong to accompany him after mechanical trouble robbed him of most of his lead-out men, including Gert Steegmans and Kevin Hulsmans.
Boonen was following Australian Graeme Brown with big Norwegian Thor Hushovd in his shadow but no one saw Haussler sneaking up the other side.
"That's my best sprint. To win in front of Boonen is always an achievement," Haussler said.
"I think he's the best sprinter in the world alongside [Alessandro] Petacchi, who is probably slightly better in the big tours," he said.
"I'm trying to develop as a sprinter to get some big results in the classics," Haussler said.
Boonen lamented a mistake in his tactics.
"I launched the sprint too soon after what happened to Steegmans and Hulsmans," he said.
"In these conditions I'm satisfied with what I did. I passed Brown but for Haussler it was the easiest sprint of his life," Boonen said.
This was the longest stage of the race so far.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and