Wiebes wins chaotic sprint in Tour de France Femmes
Sprint specialist Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who narrowly lost stage two to Mavi Garcia, made an explosive push for the finish as a crash 3.7 km from the finish temporarily took out several riders including 2023 champion Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez).
Opening stage winner Vos (Visma–Lease a Bike) lost a photo-finish to Wiebes but thanks to the six-second pace bonus reclaimed the yellow jersey from Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), who led the general classification after Sunday's second stage but dropped to second with that six-second deficit.
New Zealand's Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) finished third.
Wollaston's teammate Vollering, who recovered from the crash but had to be helped to the finish by teammates, is now fifth in the general classification, sitting 19 seconds behind Vos, still in contention assuming she has recovered from any injuries sustained in her fall.
"It was very hectic... I think when we went right on to the river there was a big crash behind me. I hope everyone is well," Vos said.
Sara Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal) was the first Australian over the line on Monday, placed 77th with the bulk of the peloton given the same time as the winner, the crash having been inside the final 5km. Gigante is 19th overall, 45 seconds behind Vos
The stage, mostly on a flat terrain, began without Giro d'Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini, who withdrew from the race due to a stomach infection.
Four riders made an early attack to form the leading pack, with Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly) winning a mountain sprint to the top of Cote de La Richardiere.
But others slowly caught up, with Lotte Kopecky expertly leading her teammate Wiebes to the front, setting up the final sprint just before the crash derailed a number of riders behind them leaving a group of just over 20 to contest the final sprint..
The Tour continues on Tuesday with stage four, a 130.7km ride from Saumur to Poitiers through another mostly-flat terrain.
Lorena Wiebes has prevailed in a chaotic sprint to claim victory in the third stage of the Tour de France Femmes, edging fellow Dutch rider Marianne Vos who took the overall lead after a 163.5km ride from La Gacilly to Angers.
Sprint specialist Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who narrowly lost stage two to Mavi Garcia, made an explosive push for the finish as a crash 3.7 km from the finish temporarily took out several riders including 2023 champion Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez).
Opening stage winner Vos (Visma–Lease a Bike) lost a photo-finish to Wiebes but thanks to the six-second pace bonus reclaimed the yellow jersey from Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), who led the general classification after Sunday's second stage but dropped to second with that six-second deficit.
New Zealand's Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) finished third.
Wollaston's teammate Vollering, who recovered from the crash but had to be helped to the finish by teammates, is now fifth in the general classification, sitting 19 seconds behind Vos, still in contention assuming she has recovered from any injuries sustained in her fall.
"It was very hectic... I think when we went right on to the river there was a big crash behind me. I hope everyone is well," Vos said.
Sara Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal) was the first Australian over the line on Monday, placed 77th with the bulk of the peloton given the same time as the winner, the crash having been inside the final 5km. Gigante is 19th overall, 45 seconds behind Vos
The stage, mostly on a flat terrain, began without Giro d'Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini, who withdrew from the race due to a stomach infection.
Four riders made an early attack to form the leading pack, with Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly) winning a mountain sprint to the top of Cote de La Richardiere.
But others slowly caught up, with Lotte Kopecky expertly leading her teammate Wiebes to the front, setting up the final sprint just before the crash derailed a number of riders behind them leaving a group of just over 20 to contest the final sprint..
The Tour continues on Tuesday with stage four, a 130.7km ride from Saumur to Poitiers through another mostly-flat terrain.
Lorena Wiebes has prevailed in a chaotic sprint to claim victory in the third stage of the Tour de France Femmes, edging fellow Dutch rider Marianne Vos who took the overall lead after a 163.5km ride from La Gacilly to Angers.
Sprint specialist Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime), who narrowly lost stage two to Mavi Garcia, made an explosive push for the finish as a crash 3.7 km from the finish temporarily took out several riders including 2023 champion Demi Vollering (FDJ-Suez).
Opening stage winner Vos (Visma–Lease a Bike) lost a photo-finish to Wiebes but thanks to the six-second pace bonus reclaimed the yellow jersey from Kim Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), who led the general classification after Sunday's second stage but dropped to second with that six-second deficit.
New Zealand's Ally Wollaston (FDJ-Suez) finished third.
Wollaston's teammate Vollering, who recovered from the crash but had to be helped to the finish by teammates, is now fifth in the general classification, sitting 19 seconds behind Vos, still in contention assuming she has recovered from any injuries sustained in her fall.
"It was very hectic... I think when we went right on to the river there was a big crash behind me. I hope everyone is well," Vos said.
Sara Gigante (AG Insurance-Soudal) was the first Australian over the line on Monday, placed 77th with the bulk of the peloton given the same time as the winner, the crash having been inside the final 5km. Gigante is 19th overall, 45 seconds behind Vos
The stage, mostly on a flat terrain, began without Giro d'Italia winner Elisa Longo Borghini, who withdrew from the race due to a stomach infection.
Four riders made an early attack to form the leading pack, with Alison Jackson (EF Education-Oatly) winning a mountain sprint to the top of Cote de La Richardiere.
But others slowly caught up, with Lotte Kopecky expertly leading her teammate Wiebes to the front, setting up the final sprint just before the crash derailed a number of riders behind them leaving a group of just over 20 to contest the final sprint..
The Tour continues on Tuesday with stage four, a 130.7km ride from Saumur to Poitiers through another mostly-flat terrain.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Ex-Melbourne Victory midfielder Jake Brimmer pledges international allegiance to Malta ahead of FIFA World Cup qualifier in September
The former Australian youth international once adjudged the A-League's best player has switched his international allegiance to Malta. Auckland FC midfielder Jake Brimmer, who won the Johnny Warren Medal in 2022 during his time with Melbourne Victory, has had his 'change of association' request approved by FIFA. The 27-year-old former Liverpool youth player has represented Australia at under-17 and under-20 levels but hasn't played for the Socceroos, who are currently coached by his former Victory mentor Tony Popovic. Having taken advantage of his Maltese heritage, Brimmer can now play for Malta, whose next match is a FIFA World Cup qualifier on September 5 against Lithuania in Kaunas. 'Obviously growing up I wanted to play for the Socceroos, but I'm 27 now and perhaps that chance has passed me by, and this is a chance for me to play international football and be seen in Europe, which will hopefully help my chances of going back over there to play club football,' Brimmer said. 'I discussed things with my family and we felt this was the best decision for me. 'I'm entering the prime years of my career, and feel this is the right time to do this, and I;m happy with my decision.' Brimmer said the Malta Football Association first approached him about changing allegiances after his Johnny Warren Medal-winning season. However, at the time, Brimmer was still intent on playing for the Socceroos, believing his form at the time warranted selection in Australia's senior team. But having constantly been overlooked, Brimmer is set to now follow in the footsteps of former Central Coast Mariners pair John Hutchinson and Trent Buhagiar, who switched allegiances from Australia to play senior football for Malta. Brimmer, who started his A-League career with Perth Glory, left the Victory at the end of the 2023-24 season to become a foundation player with Auckland, and was part of the Black Knights squad that won the Premier's Plate in the club's maiden A-League campaign. He came off the bench in Auckland's 4-0 Australia Cup round-of-32 win over NPL Queensland club Gold Coast Knights on Tuesday night at Carrara. The Black Knights will remain in Queensland for the week, and will play a friendly game against A-League rivals Brisbane Roar on Sunday at Imperial Corp Stadium, the home of NPL Queensland outfit Brisbane City. Roar chief executive officer Kaz Patafta said: 'We're extremely excited as a club and community to take such an important pre-season fixture against the premiers to a famous Queensland footballing venue in Imperial Corp Stadium. 'After a number of great nights of late engaging in the local community, we are taking this fixture against Auckland FC extremely seriously. 'We look forward to showing the wider Brisbane community just how far we have come already this pre-season.'
ABC News
2 hours ago
- ABC News
Cricket Australia considering private ownership and expansion of its Big Bash leagues after report
Cricket Australia (CA) is open to the introduction of private ownership and expansion in its Big Bash Leagues in the coming years as it looks to expand the successful competitions. The CA board commissioned the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) to provide recommendations for the next phase in both the BBL and the WBBL, with the report including four suggestions. The report suggests an "optimised schedule" that would allow the BBL to attract top international players from around the world while also enhancing the availability of Australia's international stars. This would come in the form of a later start to the season and a higher salary cap. CA has also been recommended to consider "alternative forms of investment and ownership", with private ownership included in this. Other recommendations include the introduction of different operating models and administrative structures and the potential for league expansion. No decisions have been made yet on the potential implementation of the recommendations coming out of the BCG report. "We will work closely with the states and territories, the Big Bash clubs, the players and our broadcast and commercial partners to consider the recommendations on how this value can be unlocked," CA chair Mike Baird said in a statement. "It is very important to understand that no decisions have yet been made, and that any action taken will be for the benefit of the BBL, WBBL, fans, and Australian cricket more broadly. "That would include providing strong benefits across the game, including investment in participation initiatives and player development." CA CEO Todd Greenberg said the T20 format had boosted the game globally, attracting new audiences and increasing participation. "We need to ensure that the Big Bash remains among the world's top sporting competitions," Greenberg said. "We will now undertake an exploratory process of the recommendations in this report to ensure any action we take achieves this potential and is in the best interests of Australian Cricket and cricket fans." The next season of the WBBL will commence on November 9 and end on December 13. It will then be followed by the BLL, which runs from December 14 to January 25 in 2026.
The Australian
4 hours ago
- The Australian
Mitchell Owen earns ODI, T20 call-up as Fraser-McGurk axed from Aussie squad
Mitchell Owen has officially usurped Jake Fraser-McGurk as Australia's new batting hit-man. Selectors have unveiled their ODI and T20 squads for the upcoming series against South Africa in the Top End, with Tasmanian rising star Owen seemingly being earmarked as Glenn Maxwell's white-ball successor. Fraser-McGurk had been anointed as the new six-hitting sensation in Australian cricket, but he has been axed again after just one showing on the recent T20 tour of the West Indies where he made 2 opening the batting. In contrast, 23-year-old Owen grabbed his opportunity in the West Indies by the horns, delivering in three out of his four innings in the middle-order, including a 50 on debut. Owen has now been fast-tracked into the ODI team as well, filling the void left by Maxwell's recent 50-over retirement. The emergence of Owen over the past 12 months is crucial for an Australian team transitioning from a golden era ahead of next year's T20 World Cup and the ODI World Cup in 2027. Jake Fraser-McGurk has been dropped from Australia's T20 squad. Mitchell Owen starred during Australia's T20s against the West Indies. 'As we build towards the T20 World Cup the flexibility and depth shown in the West Indies, outside of the obvious results, has been a huge positive. 'The flexibility within the batting order and ability of bowlers to bowl in different stages of the innings were particularly pleasing to see. 'Mitch Owen and Matt Kuhnemann making their respective debuts and the preparation and work done by Nathan Ellis to allow him to play all five matches were highlights.' Fraser-McGurk isn't the only much-hyped star to have faded, with West Australian all-rounder Cooper Connolly now dropped from all three formats. Connelly opened for Australia in their last ODI but now finds himself dropped from the squad, while he has also been squeezed out of the T20 set-up as well. Marnus Labuschagne has a chance to start his push for a Test recall in the ODI matches against the country of his birth, South Africa in the Top End starting next month. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have been put on ice in preparation for the Ashes, but Josh Hazlewood will still toil away in both white ball formats against the Proteas. All-rounder Cameron Green will also play both the ODIs and T20s ahead of the Ashes after striking hot form in the West Indies. In Cummins' absence, Mitchell Marsh will captain the ODI team as well as the T20 side. Given Australia's Test batting struggles, Marsh is also not without hope of a Test recall against England if he can fire from all cylinders in the limited overs matches. Australia has given a good insight into its thinking ahead of next year's T20 World Cup, with stars like Hazlewood, Travis Head, Maxwell and Josh Inglis all in the line-up to take on South Africa. As well as losing Maxwell to retirement, this will be Australia's first ODI series without all-time great Steve Smith – who also hung up the gloves in the 50-over format. Labuschagne will be relied upon to fill his role as top order anchor. Australian T20 squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matt Kuhnemann, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa Australian ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Lance Morris, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Adam Zampa.
