Joaquin Rodriguez of Spain broke away in the final kilometer to win the penultimate stage of the weeklong Tirreno-Adriatico on Monday, while 40-year-old Chris Horner of the US maintained his overall lead.
Rodriguez, who rides for the Katusha team, timed 4 hours, 38 minutes, 27 seconds over the undulating 181km leg starting and ending in Offida.
Vuelta a Espana champion in 2010, Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, was second, while 2007 Giro d’Italia winner Danilo Di Luca was third, both with the same time as Rodriguez.
Horner finished fourth and still holds a five second lead over Roman Kreuziger of the Czech Republic in the overall standings. Nibali gained a six second bonus with his podium finish in the stage to trail Horner by six seconds.
The race ends with a 9.3km individual time trial in San Benedetto del Tronto, on the Adriatic coast.
“Tomorrow is a very difficult time trial for me and for RadioShack,” Horner said. “We hope to take the win and become the first American winner of the Tirreno-Adriatico. When I have good form I can win time trials, and I have good form now.”
Horner is racing for the first time since being concussed from a fall during the eighth stage of last year’s Tour de France. He was then diagnosed with an embolism in his lung.
The stage in the Marche region concluded with a 16.15km circuit that was repeated six times.
Seven riders gained more than a four minute lead at one point, while the remaining four were caught by the peloton with 6km to go.
After a series of failed breakaways in the final kilometers, Rodriguez timed his attempt perfectly on a slightly uphill section.
Many riders are using the coast-to-coast race as a warm-up for the Milan-San Remo, the season’s opening single-day classic on Saturday.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely