Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert won the ninth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday just in front of Joaquin Rodriguez of Spain, who extended his overall lead over Christopher Froome and Alberto Contador ahead of a decisive time trial tomorrow.
Racing up Barcelona’s Montjuic Olympic park, the two riders broke away from the peloton in the final kilometers, before the BMC Racing cyclist surged past Rodriguez just before the finish line to win the 196km stage in 4 hours, 45 minutes, 28 seconds.
Paolo Tiralongo of Italy was seven seconds slower in third, with Tomasz Marczynski of Poland leading a group of four — including Alejandro Valverde — who finished nine seconds behind Gilbert.
Photo: Reuters
“It’s already been one year since I won the last time, it’s very long, so I’m very happy,” Gilbert said. “I knew with [Rodriguez] you cannot give him 50 meters in a time like this. I knew he was more riding for the race than the [stage] win and in the sprint I was faster than him, so it was no problem.”
Rodriguez was keen to add extra seconds to his advantage from a very fast stage that started in the mountains of Andorra, before rolling through the streets of the Catalan capital — his hometown — up to the finish at the site of the 1992 Olympics.
Rodriguez’s overall time was 53 seconds better than closest challenger Froome. The British cyclist dropped a further 20 seconds behind in the overall standings after finishing 46th on Sunday.
Contador looked ready to try and break away with 5km to go, but was caught and the two-time Tour de France champion finished nine seconds behind Gilbert to sit 1 minute back of Rodriguez in the overall standings. Valverde trails Rodriguez by 1:07.
Both Froome and Contador will view tomorrow’s time trial as a chance to try and bridge the gap to Rodriguez, who was savoring yesterday’s first rest day of the three-week race, before a 190km stage that sees the 67th edition of the Spanish classic head to the western regions of the country.
“I know I’m not going to enjoy [the time trial] and I’m not capable of adding a full minute to my lead in the mountains, so adding every second I can could make the difference on whether or not I finish on the podium, and, hopefully, for winning the Vuelta,” said Rodriguez, who lost the Giro d’Italia because of a weak time trial.
USA PRO CHALLENGE
Reuters, DENVER, Colorado
Christian Vande Velde of the US overcame a nine-second deficit to claim the USA Pro Challenge with a runner-up finish in the final stage individual time trial won by compatriot Taylor Phinney on Sunday.
Vande Velde, who finished second overall in the inaugural event last year, was 13 seconds behind Phinney on the 15.3km stage.
Last year’s winner Levi Leipheimer, who was leading into the final day, faded badly during the time trial and finished ninth to slip to third overall.
“I can’t believe I won,” Vande Velde said. “The team worked so hard all week. I am over the moon [because] I’ve been the bridesmaid so many times in my career. I wasn’t going to let one slip away this time.”
The 36-year-old Vande Velde’s last stage race win was the 2008 Tour of Missouri.
He had been involved in a tense battle with Teejay van Garderen for the overall lead for three of the seven days of the 1,338km race, before Leipheimer seized the lead on the final climbing day in stage six.
Van Garderen of the US was third in the time trial, 19 seconds behind Phinney, and he finished second overall with a 21-second deficit.
Phinney, who began the day in 71st overall, pedaled to his victory in an average speed of 52.64kph.
“I had a tough early week with crashes and I almost pulled the plug,” said Phinney, who was the 26th of 96 starters in the final stage.
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