Ryder Hesjedal claimed Canada’s first ever stage victory in the Tour of Spain on Friday, while Dutchman Robert Gesink closed the gap on overall leader Alejandro Valverde.
The former Canadian national champion outpowered breakaway companion David Garcia Dapena of Spain to clinch the 12th stage, the second win for his Garmin-Slipstream team in three days.
Garcia Dapena had attacked close to the foot of the 13km Velefique climb, but Hesjedal caught the Spaniard halfway up and then outsprinted him at the finish.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“It was the perfect scenario all day,” Hesjedal said. “I got in a good break, we worked well together all day and then I still had enough strength left at the end to drop my rivals and catch the guy ahead.”
Hesjedal said narrowly missing the victory on stage 10, where he finished second behind Australian Simon Gerrans, had increased his motivation.
“I was more determined than ever to win after that, and fortunately even though the guys were closing [the gap behind] I had enough speed to win,” he said.
Asked if he thought he could go for another win in the next two mountain stages, Hesjedal said: “I’ve no idea, I’m still in a state of shock that I managed to win this one.”
Gesink finished third behind the two breakaways after a powerful attack on the main group of favorites 2km from the summit.
The Dutchman opened a gap of 10 seconds on race leader Valverde and grabbed an eight-second time bonus.
Overall, Spain’s Valverde remains in the lead, with Australian Cadel Evans in second at seven seconds, while Gesink is 18 seconds back in third.
“It’s clear we can’t let Gesink get away again,” Valverde told reporters. “Today I was shadowing Evans and the important thing is I’m still leader.”
Gesink said he was pleased to have made up some time.
“My only regret is I didn’t get the stage win,” he said. “But I’m still happy I pulled back some time.”
The 2006 winner Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan was one of four riders who abandoned during stage 12. The Astana rider quit close to the finish.
“It’s nothing in particular, he’s just got too tired to continue,” Astana sports director Sean Yates told reporters.
The Tour of Spain finishes next Sunday in Madrid.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just