Spain’s Benat Intxausti won the Tour of Beijing yesterday, as Slovenian Luka Mezgec edged out Nacer Bouhanni in the event’s final meters to deny the French sprinter a third stage victory.
Red jersey Intxausti, whose powerful attack in Monday’s hill stage had given him the overall lead, came home safely in the peloton to take the title for his Movistar team, which also includes Portugal’s world champion Rui Costa.
“I’m very happy with my whole season, and above all to put a finishing touch to the team’s season,” said Intxausti, 27, who also won the 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia this year.
Photo: AFP
The 117km fifth stage from Tiananmen Square to the Bird’s Nest Stadium in the north of the Chinese capital, featuring 12 laps of an essentially flat 7.5km loop, was always likely to end in a bunch finish. Bouhanni, who had won two of the first four stages, made his move just a few meters too early and Mezgec was led out by his Argos-Shimano team to overtake him and win by a bike length.
With a 10-second bonus available for the stage win, Germany’s Tony Martin, who had won the first two editions of the event, but was 24 seconds behind Intxausti overall, made a brave last-ditch attempt to retain his title with just over 3km to go.
However, the London Olympics silver medalist was pegged back, leaving the sprinters to duel for line honors.
Bouhanni, 23, of Francaise des Jeux, took the green jersey for the points competition.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and