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SPORTS Wednesday 19 July 2023
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Vingegaard closer to Tour victory after sensational time trial

COMBLOUX, France (AP) on the rest of the field. How-
— Defending champion ever, Vingegaard who had
Jonas Vingegaard may rolled down the ramp last
have time-trialed his way to was 16 seconds faster than
a second straight Tour de Pogačar at that point, after
France victory. just 7.1 kilometers, and had
A sensational time trial from extended that to 30 sec-
Vingegaard on Tuesday onds after 12 kilometers of
saw the overall leader ex- racing. Pogačar opted to
tend his advantage over change from his time-trial
two-time winner Tadej bike to a lightweight road
Pogačar to nearly two min- bike at the foot of the sec-
utes with just five stages ond-category climb, with
remaining including Sun- 5.3 kilometers remaining,
day’s largely ceremonial, and that helped him on the
final procession to Paris. ascent. But he was unable
“No, there’s still a lot of hard to match an extraordinary
stages to come so we have ride from Vingegaard, who
to keep fighting the next could almost see his rival on
days,” Vingegaard said the approach to the finish
when asked if the race had line, such was his time gain.
already been decided. Van Aert took his cap off to
“And yeah, we’re looking his teammate and smiled
forward to it. Stage winner and overall leader Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard rides towards the finish line of the at the camera.
“I’m really, really happy sixteenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 22.5 kilometers (14 “It’s hard to understand
with the victory today and miles) with start in Passy and finish in Combloux, France, Tuesday, July 18, 2023. what happened because
really proud of it. It’s my first Associated Press it was extraordinary,” Van
time trial victory in the Tour The Danish cyclist finished jersey from his rival. Adam lom races. Aert said. “But we’ve seen it
de France. So, yeah, I’m re- the 22.4-kilometer (14-mile) Yates moved into third Tuesday’s time trial had throughout the whole Tour
ally proud.” hilly route from Passy to overall, almost nine minutes been seen as a potential those two are just so much
Vingegaard, who rides for Combloux 1 minute, 38 sec- behind Vingegaard. tiebreaker but few could stronger than the rest. In the
the Jumbo-Visma team, onds ahead of Pogačar. Riders face a mammoth have imagined such a end, I’m happy to make it
started the day only 10 sec- Wout van Aert was third at mountain stage, the hard- large gap. into the top three.
onds ahead of Pogačar af- the end of the 16th stage, est of the race, on Wednes- “I think today I even sur- “It’s a positive step forwards
ter little could separate the 2:51 behind Vingegaard. day. The last of four climbs prised myself with the time to secure yellow. We’re
duo in a fascinating duel The 26-year-old Vingegaard of the 17th stage is a trial I did. I didn’t expect looking really good ... The
over the last two weeks. now leads Pogačar by 28.4-kilometer (17.6-mile) to do so well,” Vingegaard stages in the next few days
However, when it came 1:48 overall and it will take slog up Col de la Loze, be- said. Pogačar himself put in will be tough and crucial.
down to a direct head-to- something equally sensa- fore sweeping downhill to an impressive performance Now we need to recover
head battle, Vingegaard tional from the Slovenian the Courchevel ski station and flew through the first and make sure we’re ready
was in a class of his own. cyclist to wrest the yellow which hosts World Cup sla- time check 26 seconds up for tomorrow.”q

Visa re-ups sponsorship with U.S. Soccer, equal investment in women

By ANNE M. PETERSON “It’s very aligned with our Reilly, head of North Ameri- ada. by women in the athlete’s
AP Sports Writer focus on sports but more ca marketing for Visa. “We’ve actually done more hometown or market. The
AUCKLAND, New Zealand importantly, with our focus The sponsorship also comes with the U.S. women’s team grant fund is $500,000.
(AP) — On the eve of the on women and ensuring as the United States is set to from a SheBelieves Cup The tournament, hosted by
Women’s World Cup, U.S. that women really do get host the 2026 men’s World perspective, but I think it’s New Zealand and Austra-
Soccer has extended its equality,” said Mary Ann Cup with Mexico and Can- a huge opportunity for U.S. lia, kicks off on Thursday.
partnership with Visa for the soccer,” Reilly said about The U.S. women are vying
next five years. the 2026 World Cup. “As a for their third-straight title.
As part of the agreement mom who has a daughter Visa is also a global partner
announced Tuesday, Visa who played competitive of the Women’s World Cup.
again vowed that 50% of soccer, it’s a game that Other aspects of the spon-
investment will go towards has not really reached the sorship include fan experi-
programs surrounding the heights that it has in other ences around U.S. Soccer
U.S. women’s national countries, and I think it re- matches and collabora-
team and women’s soccer ally has the potential to do tions with women-owned
initiatives. so. So we’re really excited companies. In addition to
The deal ensures Visa’s on- to help to bring the World its role as presenting spon-
going involvement in the Cup to the U.S. and North sor, Visa also sponsors the
SheBelieves Cup interna- America.” SheBelieves Cup MVP
tional tournament in the When a U.S. player wins a award. The company has
United States each year. United States’ players jump to celebrate with the trophy after Player of the Match award pledged a $25,000 grant to
The financial services com- winning the Women’s World Cup final soccer match between US at the Women’s World Cup, a women-owned business
pany is the tournament’s and The Netherlands at the Stade de Lyon in Decines, outside Visa will award a grant to on behalf of the winning
presenting sponsor. Lyon, France, Sunday, July 7, 2019. small businesses owned player.q
Associated Press