Dane Chris Anker Sorensen battled to the top of a mountain to win the eighth stage of the Giro d’Italia on Sunday after rain and snow just about held off on an already difficult route.
Alexander Vinokourov of the Astana team retained the overall leader’s pink jersey after the top riders all finished reasonably close together in the central Italian hills.
The Kazakh, who overcame appalling conditions on Saturday to take the lead, holds a one minute, 12 second advantage over Australian world champion Cadel Evans with previous race leader Vincenzo Nibali edging back up to the third overall.
Vinokourov returned to cycling last year after a doping ban, but lost none of his grit and determination during his time away and now looks favorite to lift the title in Verona on May 30 after three tough weeks of racing.
Saxo Bank’s Sorensen, who broke his collarbone during the Tour of Catalunya in late March, triumphed on a 189km ride from Chianciano ahead of Italian revelation Simone Stortoni of the Colnago CSF Inox team. Spain’s Xavier Tondo was third for Cervelo.
“The situation was completely insane. On the last three kilometers, I am in the car with goosebumps all over my body and inches away from being a nervous wreck screaming out the window, then screaming into the steering wheel while Pascal [mechanic] is hanging out the sun roof rooting for Chris [Anker Sorensen],” Saxo Bank sports director Dan Frost said in a team statement.
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
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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
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