Unclipped with Grace Brown: Inside FDJ-Suez - A Former Teammate Reads the Race
Grace knows the team's DNA, and she reflects on the measured, instinctive, and ruthlessly well-timed style. Meanwhile in France, the Critérium du Dauphiné lit up early, with Tour favourites already trading blows - a clear sign July's battles have begun.
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SBS Australia
3 hours ago
- SBS Australia
The giant delivers French smiles
In the latest SBS Cycling Podcast, the hosts celebrate a stunning French victory atop Mont Ventoux, capturing the electric atmosphere and scenic Alpine backdrop. The episode also explores the general classification battle, with an analysis of Vingegaard and Pogacar's rivalry. A quick look ahead at the next stages leaves fans eager for more Tour de France action.
SBS Australia
4 hours ago
- SBS Australia
Tour de France stage 16: Paret-Peintre becomes this year's first French winner
Valentin Paret-Peintre became the first French winner on this year's Tour de France as he edged an enthralling stage 16 on Tuesday, pipping Ireland's Ben Healy atop the mythical 1910m altitude Mont Ventoux summit finish. Behind them, Jonas Vingegaard attacked overall leader Tadej Pogacar relentlessly, but the defending champion tracked the Dane all the way up the 15km ascent to extend his lead by two seconds. Trailing by four minutes and 13 seconds at the start of this stage, Vingegaard attacked with 9km to climb on Mont Ventoux, whose eerie upper reaches resemble a lunar landscape. "I didn't want to push too hard and then let him have me on a counter-attack. I kept my rhythm as much as I could," said Pogacar, who has been fighting off a cold this week. "He attacked many times but I just tried to hold his wheel." Vingegaard was knocked off his bike by a motorbike after the finish line but was unhurt, remounting to go and congratulate Pogacar on another fine battle. "He seemed okay," Pogacar said later. Pogacar's Team UAE boss described Vingegaard as a "warrior". "He's got the guts and the legs, and we expect him to keep on attacking every day now. He's a warrior," Mauro Gianetti said. The battle for the overall lead, however, was eclipsed by a frantic fight for the stage win between EF's Healy and Soudal Quick-Step's Paret-Peintre, who became the first French winner on Mont Ventoux since Richard Virenque in 2002. "He looked so happy at the finish line," said Pogacar. Mont Ventoux has long been held in awe by riders and spectators alike, and it has witnessed some of the greatest dramas and tragedies of the Tour. In 1967, the British cyclist Tom Simpson died here after collapsing on a baking climb. The great Eddy Merckx once needed oxygen at the summit while Chris Froome ran part of the way up during a frantic wait for mechanical assistance on his way to a third Tour de France title in 2016. Perfect tactic Healy, who wore the yellow jersey for two days after winning the Bastille Day stage six, appeared to be heading for his second stage win as the two riders approached the finish of an epic tussle. Paret-Peintre looked completely drained but, cheered on by the home crowd, he found a final surge of strength to overtake the Irishman with 20 metres remaining and held on to the line. "I was near giving up, Healy was so strong but I said to myself, 'Come on, it's the Tour de France, Mont Ventoux,'" said Paret-Peintre. "I knew that if I held on, the last section suited me better than him as it's really steep. It turned out to be the perfect tactic." Healy's consolation was to be awarded the day's combativity prize while moving up one place to ninth in the overall standings. Almost unnoticed further down the mountain, German breakout star Florian Lipowitz consolidated his third place, extending his lead on fourth-placed Scottish rider Oscar Onley by around 30 seconds. With two more Alpine stages coming up and five more stages left, Vingegaard and his Visma team did everything they could to hurt the Team UAE leader Pogacar here, and can only hope they have tired the pugnacious champion. But the 26-year-old resisted all they threw at him, despite being isolated from his teammates early in the climb. Stage 17 should be one for the sprinters as Tim Merlier hopes to add to his two stage wins and current green jersey Jonathan Milan also targets a second win at the 700m straight run to the finish line at Valence. The weather however could rewrite the script with 50kph winds forecast along the 170km run. For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter .
Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Courier-Mail
Liverpool agree £69m Ekitike deal as Man Utd sign Mbeumo for £65m
Don't miss out on the headlines from EPL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Liverpool have agreed to sign Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike in a deal worth an initial £69 million ($142 million), according to reports on Monday. The Premier League champions switched their focus to Ekitike following Newcastle's refusal to sell Sweden striker Alexander Isak, who is valued at around £150 million by the Magpies. Newcastle and Manchester United were also interested in Ekitike, but Liverpool look set to win the race for one of Europe's hottest young stars. It is believed the Reds have agreed to pay a potential further £10 million in add-ons to sign the 23-year-old Frenchman, whose overall price tag could reach £79 million ($163m). Liverpool are set to spend big on Hugo Ekitike. Picture:Once the transfer is completed, Ekitike will link up with Arne Slot's side on their pre-season tour of Asia. Ekitike scored 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions for Frankfurt last season after joining the Bundesliga club from Paris Saint-Germain. He was an unused substitute during his side's pre-season friendly against FSV Frankfurt on Saturday, with Eintracht boss Dino Toppmoller admitting Ekitike's impending departure was 'a bitter loss'. Liverpool have an opening in their forward line after Diogo Jota's recent death in a car crash in Spain. The Reds are also believed to be willing to sell Uruguay striker Darwin Nunez, while Colombia forward Luis Diaz has been the target of a rejected bid from Bayern Munich. Luis Diaz is reportedly chasing a deal with Bayern Munich. Picture: Darren Staples/AFP Liverpool have already splashed out £116 million on Germany playmaker Florian Wirtz, as well as signing defenders Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth respectively. Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Arne Slot's side since the end of last season after agreeing his move from Valencia in 2024. United sign Mbeumo Cameroon winger Bryan Mbeumo said he 'grew up wearing' the Manchester United shirt on Monday after joining the club from Brentford on a deal until 2030, with an option for a further year. Mbeumo, 25, will reportedly cost the 20-time Premier League champions an initial £65 million ($87 million) having scored 20 goals in 38 league games last season for the Bees. Tottenham, now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, were also chasing the France-born attacker before United's improved offer sealed the move. United's third bid, worth an initial £65m with £6m in add-ons, was accepted last week. 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams,' Mbeumo said in a United statement. 'The team whose shirt I wore growing up. 'This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies,' he added. United coach Ruben Amorim has signed two other players during this summer in an attempt to avoid a repeat of last season's catastrophic display. They lost to Tottenham in the Europa League final and a 15th-place finish in the top flight was their lowest since 1973-74. Wolves forward Matheus Cunha and teenage Paraguayan defender Diego Leon have also moved to Old Trafford. Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled as Amorim's main strikers last term. 'My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday,' Mbeumo said. 'I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players. Mbeumo blossomed in six years at Brentford, scoring 70 goals and providing 51 assists in 242 appearances in all competitions following his move from French club Troyes in 2019. He helped the Bees win promotion to the Premier League in 2021 and was instrumental in their impressive 10th-place finish in 2024-25. 'We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour,' the Red Devils' director of football Jason Wilcox said. 'The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead,' he added. United start their pre-season tour of the United States on Sunday by facing West Ham before their opening game of the new Premier League season against Arsenal on August 17. Originally published as Premier League latest: Liverpool agree $142m deal for Hugo Ekitike
