German Marcel Kittel on Tuesday claimed his fourth victory in this year’s Tour de France when he powered to an impressive 10th stage win in a bunch sprint as Briton Chris Froome retained the overall lead.
Kittel’s compatriot John Degenkolb was second and Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen took third place, with Froome finishing safe in the bunch to keep the yellow jersey.
“It was a quiet day, no stress at all,” said Froome, who like the other riders enjoyed a rest day on Monday. “It was one of the most relaxed days we’ve had in this Tour de France. It was like having a double rest day.”
“Now it’s about saving energy for the Pyrenees and the Alps,” added the Team Sky rider, who was yesterday to spend his 50th day in yellow to match the great Jacques Anquetil’s mark.
The record is held by Belgian Eddy Merckx with 96 days in the leader’s jersey.
Sky are on course to become the first team since Merckx’s Faemino-Faema in 1970 to hold the jersey throughout the race.
Elie Gesbert, who on Monday almost set his team hotel on fire after leaving a towel on an electric heater, triggering a partial evacuation of the building, jumped away at the start.
He was accompanied by fellow Frenchman Yoann Offredo of Wanty-Groupe Gobert and the duo built a maximum advantage of 5 minutes, 30 seconds.
However, the sprinters’ teams had them on a tight leash, reining them in 6.8km from the line.
None could match Kittel’s power as the Quick-Step Floors rider beat Degenkolb by more than a bike length to extend his lead in the points classification.
It was Kittel’s 13th Tour de France stage win, taking him one ahead of Erik Zabel’s German record of 12.
“I don’t see cycling from that position. It’s not about being a VIP or part of history,” Kittel said. “I just do what I can do best, which is sprinting. I’m enjoying this huge event together with my teammates. We trust each other, and this is very special, very important to me.”
Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni was handed a one-minute penalty and a 200 Swiss franc (US$207.86) fine for shoving away a Quick-Step Floors rider who had just elbowed him.
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