Britain’s 2008 Olympic team pursuit track cycling champion Geraint Thomas won the Tour of Romandie prologue in Lausanne on Tuesday while last year’s winner, Australia’s Tour de France champion Cadel Evans, finished 20 seconds off the pace.
Thomas, who earlier this month collected a third track cycling world title in the team pursuit, was favored by more clement weather conditions than Evans encountered on the 3.34km course as he came in a time of 3 minutes 29.43 seconds.
The 25-year-old Sky rider — whose most notable road race win was in the Tour of Bavaria last year — edged out Italy’s Giacomo Nizzolo and fellow Briton Mark Cavendish for first place.
Photo: Reuters
“I always knew that I had a good chance,” Thomas said.
“But it’s one thing knowing that you have a good chance and another thing winning. It’s very nice. Obviously the weather played a big part in that, but there was only really one corner and you can only lose so much time — but it’s great to win and at a lovely race as well,” he said.
The Welshman said that having achieved his target in Lausanne he would help Cavendish and Paris-Nice winner Bradley Wiggins for the remainder of the race.
“Today was an objective as it’s similar to the track, but for the rest of the race I’ll help Cav in the sprints on which ever stages come down to that and then look after Bradley,” he said.
“He’s here to do a good ride on the GC [general classification]. The team have come here with big ambitions looking to do well every day and hopefully we can get a few more stage wins and Brad can pull off the GC,” Thomas said.
“The team has stepped up a level each year now. As we saw in Paris-Nice it is a strong team,” he said.
While Evans failed to cope with the driving rain another of his major rivals for the race title, Wiggins, shaped up better finishing 11th, just nine seconds off Thomas’ winning time.
Yesterday’s first scheduled stage was a 184.5km ride from Morges to La Chaux-de-Fonds which takes in several climbs, notably col des Bugnenets and col de la Tourne.
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