Cycling-Belgium's Philipsen wins Tour opening stage
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New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Philipsen wins windy Tour de France opener as Evenepoel trapped in split
LILLE, France: There were mixed fortunes for the thousands of Belgian fans who poured over the border for the opening stage of the Tour de France on Saturday as Jasper Philipsen won, but star rider Remco Evenepoel faltered in his long-range bid for the title itself. Philipsen took the yellow jersey in a frantic sprint finish at the northern city of Lille, his tenth Tour de France win crowned with a rare race lead for a rider usually chasing sprint points. Title favourites Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard both finished safely in the lead pack. But Vingegaard was on red alert as the split started and his explosive acceleration helped stun the peloton and leave his Visma team delighted with the damage done by the day's work with a 40sec advantage over several important rivals. "It was our plan to use the wind at 20km and it worked," said Vingegaard. Known for his pounces in the mountains, Vingegaard has won the Tour in 2022 and 2023. The 28-year-old grew up in a remote fishing community, racing into strong winds on the coastal roads in Denmark. Defending champion Pogacar appeared flustered at the finish line. "It was as frantic as we had expected, but when the split came fortunately I was near the front," said the 26-year-old Slovenian. "I'm just happy day one is done. Nine days to go before the first rest day." Billed as the third man here after finishing behind Pogacar and Vingegaard on his debut Tour in 2024, Evenepoel was in sombre mood at his team bus. "We were asleep, we thought any danger was over," Evenepoel said of the split where both he and his team's sprinter Tim Merlier found themselves trapped just 20km from the finish. Around 40 riders in the first group contested the sprint where one of the day's many falls happened. Primoz Roglic and Florian Lipowitz of Red Bull, and Team UAE's Joao Almeida were also caught out in the blustery winds. Another UAE man, Adam Yates, lost minutes, meaning Pogacar's two deputies are off the pace if something happens to the UAE star man. Africa's sole rider Biniam Girmay, winner of three stages in 2024, was second on the day as Philipsen got ahead of him with 100m to go. But Girmay, winner of the 2024 best sprinter's green jersey, ended the stage with the white jersey for the best 25-and-under rider. Philipsen, however, was the man in yellow. "It's a day I will never forget. This is why I have been getting up early and training hard each day," said Philipsen. "What an experience! Those final kilometres, to be part of that," beamed the 27-year-old Belgian. Fans packed the route in one of France's more modest regions passing First World War memorials, red-brick houses and slagheaps from long-closed coal mines along the Belgian border. Under overcast skies with the temperature a manageable 22C, the peloton cut a fast pace despite the windy conditions. Racing towards an intermediate sprint over cobbles, escapee Benjamin Thomas slid sideways and took out his sole rival Matteo Vercher in one spectacular fall and the pair were still bickering when the peloton shot past them. Former time-trial world champion Filippo Ganna was one rider who will take no further part after a clumsy fall on a corner. The Italian would have been a contender on the lengthy stage five individual time-trial, as well as key in the Ineos team's campaign to get veteran Geraint Thomas into the top 10 on his 14th and final Tour de France. Philipsen, in yellow, will lead the peloton out for Sunday's second stage, a hilly 209km route to the beaches of Boulogne-sur-Mer. — AFP
The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-France coach says team can still improve after beating England
Soccer Football - UEFA Women's Euro 2025 - Group D - France v England - Stadion Letzigrund, Zurich, Switzerland - July 5, 2025 France coach Laurent Bonadei before the match REUTERS/Denis Balibouse ZURICH (Reuters) -France can play even better despite putting on a strong performance to comfortably beat England 2-1 in their Women's Euros Group D opener on Saturday, Les Bleus manager Laurent Bonadei said. The victory in Zurich was the first time the reigning champions have lost the opening match in a title defence of the Women's Euros. "We can do better every time," Bonadei told reporters. "We have to improve in each department of the team, in defence, in midfield and offensively." The coach said France found the going tough at the start and end of the match when England were on top. But his team made the most of their chances, scoring twice during their dominant spell while England managed only a late consolation goal. "Each game is decided on the details and it's not easy to win this type of game," Bonadei said. "But I want to say that I am proud of my players, because they never give up in this game and keep control and keep calm in the difficult moments." The performance would give France confidence for the rest of the tournament, he said, adding: "We work at the training sessions every time to improve and to do better, and we want each game to make our fans proud." (Reporting by John Revill; editing by Clare Fallon)
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Cricket-Australia seize control as Smith's masterclass extends lead to 254
Cricket - 2025 ICC World Test Championship Final - South Africa v Australia - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - June 11, 2025 Australia's Steve Smith in action Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY (Reuters) -Steve Smith's magnificent 71 guided Australia to 221 for seven at stumps on day three of the second test against West Indies in Grenada on Saturday, helping the tourists to build a commanding 254-run lead despite late wickets and persistent rain interruptions. Australia, who began the day two wickets down after losing Sam Konstas and Usman Khawaja on Friday, made it to lunch at 69 for three and appeared vulnerable on a pitch offering variable bounce and seam movement. Nathan Lyon's nightwatchman role lasted 33 balls and yielded eight runs before he fell to Alzarri Joseph, with John Campbell taking the catch at third slip. At that point, Australia were crying out for some heroics, and up stepped Smith and Cameron Green, who combined for a crucial 93-run partnership that turned the tide inexorably in the visitors' favour. Green contributed a vital 52, his highest score batting at number three, before falling immediately after reaching his half-century when he chopped a Shamar Joseph delivery on to his stumps. Smith, back in the side after missing the first test with a finger injury, found his rhythm after a cautious start, smashing a six off Roston Chase and hitting seven boundaries in a patient knock that spanned 119 balls. The veteran looked in complete control as he guided Australia through the middle sessions but his masterful innings ended when he was given out lbw to Justin Greaves after an unsuccessful review. "We're in a nice spot," Smith said. "I don't think the wicket is going to get any better, it will probably do a few more tricks. "The new ball is going to be pretty crucial for us. Hopefully we can get up to somewhere around 300 and then we'll see how it goes." Travis Head provided explosive support with 39 from 60 balls, including four boundaries, before being bowled by a Shamar Joseph delivery that nipped back sharply and caught him completely off guard. Beau Webster managed just two runs before edging Greaves to slip, but Alex Carey helped to avert a mini-crisis with an unbeaten 26 that included some aggressive strokeplay. The pitch continued to pose challenges through the day, with balls keeping low at times and offering variable bounce that troubled the batsmen. West Indies' bowlers toiled hard on the surface, with Jayden Seales, Shamar Joseph and Greaves claiming two wickets apiece, but their efforts were undermined by Australia's patient accumulation of runs. With Carey and Pat Cummins at the crease overnight, Australia's imposing advantage leaves West Indies facing an uphill battle. Sunday promises to be decisive, with Australia needing a few more runs to set an even more daunting target, while West Indies require early wickets to keep alive their hopes. (Reporting by Simon Jennings in Toronto; editing by Clare Fallon)
