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SPORTS Saturday 7 July 2018
Movistar launches 3-man attack to end Froome's Tour reign

By JOSEPH WILSON tion whether not having a called Movistar's poor race
CHOLET, France (AP) — Mo- defined leader and seven tactics. He gave an exam-
vistar is launching a three- more riders tasked to help ple of the team ordering
man attack to foil Chris him through the grueling Landa to attack into what
Froome's quest to win a fifth 21-stage race will only cre- Porte described as a head-
Tour de France. ate confusion and in-house wind.
While most teams appoint competition for Movistar. "Hopefully for Landa they
one leader to fight for the Richie Porte, who helped are going to use (their rid-
title, Movistar says Nairo Froome win two Tour titles ers) more smartly" in France,
Quintana, Alejandro Val- then left Sky to have his Porte said.
verde, and Mikel Landa all shot at being a top rider Quintana, a winner of the
start the race on Saturday on BMC, said finding a bal- Giro d'Italia and the Span-
with equal options to be- ance with three riders who ish Vuelta who has twice fin-
come their No. 1 rider. are fighting for the over- ished runner-up to Froome
"We always come here all classification would be at the Tour, said Movistar
with high hopes, but this difficult. "It is a tricky one, was accustomed to com- Colombia's Nairo Quintana greets spectators during the Tour
year it definitely looks like it having a three-prong at- peting without a clear hi- de France cycling race team presentation in La Roche-sur-
Yon, Vendee region, France, Thursday, July 5, 2018, ahead of
is our turn more than ever tack," Porte said. "It is great erarchy. The Colombian upcoming Saturday's start of the race.
to aspire for victory with to have those options, but climber has shared the top Associated Press
these three leaders," Movi- you have to use them wise- spot on the team for years
star general director Euse- ly. Who knows how harmo- with Valverde. said he was most likely third vistar, but they have better
bio Unzue said on Friday in nious it is on that team? It "On other occasions we in the pecking order be- chances than I do."
western France. is hard enough with two have been in this situation hind Quintana and new- Landa is trying to follow
"It's undeniable that this leaders, let alone three." of having more than one comer Landa. a similar path to Porte.
team has gotten better Porte won last month's Tour leader and we have known "I have come here several The Spaniard excelled as
and that we are coming de Suisse after Movistar fell how to handle it," Quintana times as the leader and a strong support rider for
here in perfect position to short with Quintana finish- said. "It's not a problem. my opportunity (to win) Froome and former Tour
achieve the goal of arriving ing third and Landa 16th. Day by day the race will has probably passed," winner Vincenzo Nibali be-
to Paris in the yellow jersey." Porte said he was aided decide for us." Valverde said. "Our idea fore he signed to Movistar
However, some rivals ques- in Switzerland by what he Valverde, at 38 years old, is to win the Tour for Mo- this season.q

Rebekkah Brunson grabs record-breaking rebound in Lynx win

By The Associated Press sists for the Lynx (11-7), who run to take its largest lead
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Re- bounced back from their at the final score.
bekkah Brunson grabbed first loss in eight games. Liz Cambage added 17
12 boards while becoming Candace Parker led the points and nine rebounds
the leading rebounder in Sparks (12-7) with 22 points. and Aerial Powers scored
WNBA history, helping the MERCURY 84, SUN 77 11 for the Wings.
Minnesota Lynx beat the PHOENIX (AP) — Diana Tau- Candice Dupree had 21
Los Angeles Sparks 83-72 on rasi had 25 points, Brittney points and Cappie Pondex-
Thursday. Griner scored 23 and Phoe- ter scored 12 for the Fever.
Brunson began the night nix took over sole posses- ACES 84, SKY 80
in third place with 3,306 sion of first place in the LAS VEGAS (AP) — Kayla
rebounds. She passed Lisa WNBA. McBride scored 28 points
Leslie (3,307) early on and DeWanna Bonner made a and Las Vegas pulled
overtook Tamika Catchings pair of key baskets down ahead of Chicago in the
(3,316) when she grabbed the stretch that helped the WNBA standings.
Candace Parker's missed Mercury (14-5) hold off the McBride's driving layup with
3-pointer with 7:17 left in Sun. She finished with 12 2:14 left made it 80-77, and
the fourth quarter. points and a season-high the Aces (7-12) made 4
Minnesota coach Cheryl 13 rebounds. Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson (32) celebrates with of 6 free throws down the
the team following an 83-72 win over the Los Angeles Sparks in
Reeve was ejected on the The Sun (10-8) never led. a WNBA basketball game Thursday, July 5, 2018, in Minneapolis. stretch. A'ja Wilson was
following play for argu- They trailed by as many as Associated Press fouled on a putback and
ing a call, but Brunson was 15 in the third quarter be- made 1 of 2 free throws to
later recognized with a fore going on a 17-3 run to ble-double of her career. WINGS 90, FEVER 63 make it a two-possession
standing ovation from the cut the deficit to 73-72. LaToya Sanders added 14 ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) game with 31.2 seconds
crowd and a hug from Lynx Chiney Ogwumike, Ra- points for the Mystics (11-6). — Azura Stevens scored a left. Las Vegas led for most
owner Glen Taylor when chel Banham and Jasmine Washington used a 15-5 career-high 26 points, and of the second half and
the achievement was an- Thomas had 11 points each run to open a 71-59 lead Dallas never trailed. took the lead for good late
nounced during the ensu- for Connecticut. early in the fourth quarter. The Wings (9-8) opened the in the third quarter at 69-67
ing media timeout. MYSTICS 86, LIBERTY 67 The Liberty (5-13) got the game with an 8-0 run and on Wilson's jumper. Wilson
Brunson also had 15 points WASHINGTON (AP) — Elena deficit within single digits pulled away with a 19-4 run finished with 24 points.
in her 82nd career double- Delle Donne scored 11 of twice and then the Mystics that ended at 33-16 early The Sky (6-12) went score-
double, putting her ahead her 21 points in the fourth closed the game on an 8-0 in the second quarter. The less for the final 3:52 of the
of Yolanda Griffith for sixth quarter to help Washington run. Fever (2-17) got as close game. Allie Quigley had 13
on the WNBA career list. pull away for the win. Tina Charles had 26 points as 47-36 early in the third points, Diamond DeShields
Sylvia Fowles added 27 Natasha Cloud had 10 and 12 rebounds for New quarter, but Dallas extend- scored 11 and Cheyenne
points, nine rebounds and points, 10 assists and seven York. Epiphanny Prince ed the lead to 65-41 and Parker finished with 10 for
a career-high seven as- rebounds in the first dou- added 11 points. closed the game on a 7-0 Chicago.q