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Saturday 19 May 2018
Viviani wins 13th stage for 3rd win, Yates keeps Giro lead

Associated Press pen," Viviani said. "Those
NERVESA DELLA BATTAGLIA who saw me at the finish
Italy (AP) — Elia Viviani line know I wasn't in a good
made it a hat trick of wins in way, it happens."
the Giro d'Italia on the 13th It gave him extra motiva-
stage, while Simon Yates tion. "We set off this morn-
remained in the overall ing with a grudge to bear
lead on Friday as the race and that helped us," he
heads into the mountains. said. "When someone
The Italian rider won a makes you angry you react
bunch sprint at the end of and go quicker."
the mainly flat 180-kilome- The general classification
ter (112-mile) leg from Fer- was unchanged as the
rara to Nervesa della Batta- British rider Yates retained
glia for his first victory in Italy his 47-second advantage
after two wins in Israel at over defending cham-
the start. pion Tom Dumoulin of the
Sam Bennett, also seeking Netherlands. Frenchman
a third victory, was sec- Thibaut Pinot is third, 1:04
ond ahead of Danny van behind Yates. "It was quite
Poppel. It was a perfect nice to prepare for tomor-
response from Viviani, who row. It's never easy in the
was criticized after finishing sprint though," Yates said.
more than 10 minutes be- Italy's Elia Viviani celebrates on the podium after winning the 13th stage of the Giro d'Italia cycling "I'm looking forward to to-
hind stage winner Bennett race, from Ferrara to Nervesa della Battaglia, Italy, Friday, May 18, 2018. morrow. "It will be very diffi-
on Thursday. Associated Press cult. I don't know the climb
The Italian made a 'calm but it's iconic. If I have the
down' motion with his hands us," Viviani said. "It makes be a response." what happened. We think legs I'll try as, as I've been
as he crossed the line be- me lose my temper when He said the Quick-Step it's because it's been two- saying since the beginning,
fore punching the air. "You people ask 'Where has Elia floors team sought to clarify and-a-half years since I've I need the time.
need calm before judging: disappeared to, what's he Thursday's dip in form. done a grand tour and But I don't expect big
we read what is said about doing?' There needed to "Yesterday we evaluated days like that can hap- gaps."q
Atletico celebrates Europa League title on streets of Madrid

By TALES AZZONI who have a dream, noth-
MADRID (AP) — Thousands ing is impossible, especially
of fans lined the streets if you are an Atletico fan."
to salute Atletico Madrid Atletico president Enrique
players as they paraded Cerezo, in a speech after
through the Spanish capi- meeting with local officials,
tal Friday to celebrate the proudly foresaw Atletico
team's Europa League tri- "playing the Champions
umph. League final in our stadium"
Players, coaches and club next year. The final will be
officials met with the city held at the club's Wanda
mayor and the community Metropolitano Stadium.
president before parading "We want to be back here
through some of the city's in a year celebrating the
main roads and plazas on title," he said.
an open bus. Atletico was eliminated
They ended the night on the in the group stage of the
Fountain of Neptune — the Champions League this
club's traditional celebra- year after having lost two
tion spot — where a stage finals to city rival Real Ma-
and large screens were set drid in 2014 and 2016.
up to welcome the players. Atletico needs a home
Each team member was Atletico Madrid players celebrate with their trophy on a stage after winning the Europa League draw against Eibar on
introduced to loud chants title against Marseille, at the Neptuno square in Madrid, Friday, May 18, 2018. Sunday to secure sec-
from the crowd packing Associated Press ond place in the Spanish
the plaza, and the team's league, behind champion
captain Gabi and other over Marseille on Wednes- forward received some of Chelsea plus two Euro- Barcelona. Atletico's wom-
players draped an Atletico day, is rumored to be on his the loudest cheers from the pean Championships and en's team, which won the
scarf around the Neptune way out of Atletico. crowd, along with popular a World Cup with Spain. "I Spanish league, paraded
statue. Barcelona is reportedly coach Diego Simeone. remember when I was an along with the men's team.
Antoine Griezmann heard interested in signing the "I've won a lot of things in 11-year-old and I was here Thousands of Atletico fans
fans and his teammates France forward. my career, but without a as a fan celebrating the had already packed the
call for him to stay at the Fernando Torres, one of the doubt this is the best one," team's double in 1996. At Fountain of Neptune plaza
club for another season. club's greatest idols, is defi- said the 34-year-old Tor- the time I had a dream of shortly after the team won
Griezmann, who scored nitely leaving at the end res, who won a Champi- one day being here where its third Europa League
twice in the team's 3-0 win of the season. The veteran ons League trophy with I am right now. To all kids title.q