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SPORTS Thursday 3 augusT 2023

Cycling governing body packing nearly all of its world

championships into 11 days

By DAVE SKRETTA there’s me, who is capable
AP Sports Writer of attacking from distance
Tadej Pogačar said his fo- like last year,” said Evene-
cus was on resting after the poel, the reigning champi-
Tour de France, where the on, after his recent victory
two-time winner was un- at Clasica San Sebastian.
able to keep up with Jonas “It’s just proof that my form
Vingegaard over the final is there,” Evenepoel said
week in the mountains and of the win, “that I have
finished a distant second to the legs to be in front next
his biggest rival in Paris. week.”
Turns out the break didn’t The men’s road race, fea-
last long. turing many of the stars
Pogačar confirmed this of last month’s Tour, will
week that he will line up surely be a centerpiece of
for Slovenia in the men’s the world championships.
road race at the UCI world Here are some of the other
championships, which be- key events, which will take
gins Thursday in Scotland place through August 13:
with the first track events ROAD RACING
and continues for the next The Dutch team will be
10 days. It will be the first heavy favorites again in the
time that cycling’s world women’s road race and
governing body holds near- United States’ Chloe Dygert pedals during the women elite race at the road cycling World time trial, led by reigning
ly all of its championships at Championships in Harrogate, England, Sept. 28, 2019. Associated Press world champion Annemiek
one time and in one place, van Vleuten, Demi Voller-
which UCI President Da- ity, but the 24-year-old will features the kind of punchy fresh off plenty of Tour suc- ing and Marianne Vos. But
vid Lappartient hopes will nonetheless join seven of climbs that favor the stars cess will try to animate the the team was similarly fa-
build some momentum for his countrymen in contest- of the one-day classics. race and perhaps catch vored at the Tokyo Olym-
the sport heading into next ing Sunday’s race. It will That means names such as the more powerful teams pics, only to lose track of
year’s Paris Olympics. begin in Edinburgh and Remco Evenepoel, Wout off guard. an unheralded Austrian
The course for the men’s head toward Glasgow, van Aert and Jasper Phil- “We have three leaders, rider who dashed ahead
road race hardly suits where most of the events ipsen figure to be near the with Wout and Jasper, who of everyone to win the gold
Pogačar’s climbing abil- are to be conducted, and front, though a U.S. team are more for the sprint, and medal.q

Jimmie Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus join Donnie Allison as

NASCAR Hall of Fame selections

By STEVE REED 2006 and 2013, four Brick- sports history. Knaus, who
AP Sports Writer yard 400s (2006, ‘08-09, ‘12), currently serves as Hendrick
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — four Coca-Cola 600s (2003- Motorsports’ vice president
Jimmie Johnson and former 05, ‘14), two Southern 500s of competition, trails only
crew chief Chad Knaus, (2004, ‘12) and four All-Star Dale Inman and Leonard
who combined to win a Races (2003, ‘06, ‘12-13). Wood for all-time wins by a
record-tying seven Cup Se- Johnson’s 83 Cup wins rank crew chief.
ries championships, were sixth-most in NASCAR his- Allison won 10 Cup Series
selected for the NASCAR tory behind Hall of Famers races during his career.
Hall of Fame on Wednes- Petty (200), David Pearson The 83-year-old Allison was
day. (105), Jeff Gordon (93), a member of NASCAR’s
They will be joined by long- Darrell Waltrip and Bobby famed “Alabama Gang”
time driver Donnie Allison, Allison (both 84), and they and an ambassador for
who was voted in on the came at 20 different tracks. the sport for more than 50
pioneer ballot. Knaus was with Johnson years. After winning the
Johnson, 47, is considered Driver Jimmie Johnson poses outside Kentucky Speedway throughout that wildly suc- 1967 Cup Series rookie of
one of the most successful before a NASCAR Cup Series auto race Sunday, July 12, 2020, cessful run. the year, he partnered
race car drivers in history. in Sparta, Ky. Knaus, 51, came to Hen- with mechanic Banjo Mat-
The induction ceremony Associated Press drick Motorsports as an as- thews and won three rac-
for the Class of 2024 will be sistant in the body shop, es in 1970, including the
held Jan. 19 in Charlotte. remain a series record. He generations of race cars. learning under Hall of Fam- Coca-Cola 600.But Allison
Johnson’s seven Cup Series also won titles in 2013 and Nicknamed “Superman,” er Ray Evernham as part of is perhaps best known for
titles tie him with Richard 2016. Johnson’s champion- Johnson had a knack for the “Rainbow Warriors.” his role in one of NASCAR’s
Petty and Dale Earnhardt ships came amid an era of coming up big at NAS- In 2002, he was paired with most famous moments his
for the most in NASCAR his- change for NASCAR, as he CAR’s biggest races, win- Johnson, then a rookie, on 1979 Daytona 500 fight with
tory, and his run of five con- earned titles amid a vari- ning all of the sport’s crown a fourth Hendrick team, Cale Yarborough during
secutive championships ety of championship points jewel events at least twice. beginning one of the most the sport’s first nationally
from 2006 through 2010 formats and three different He won the Daytona 500 in productive partnerships in televised race. q