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SPORTS Thursday 19 July 2018

Constant action but same result at Tour: Sky domination

By ANDREW DAMPF San Bernardo ski station.
AP Sports Writer It was his second career
LA ROSIERE, France (AP) — stage win at the Tour, hav-
If the idea behind a short ing claimed the individual
but almost entirely moun- time trial that opened last
tainous stage in the Tour de year’s race. He wore the
France was to create con- yellow jersey for four days
stant action, Stage 11 on last year — before drop-
Wednesday went accord- ping to second behind
ing to plan. The end result, Froome — then crashed
however, was the same as out on a descent in Stage
most recent Tours — domi- 9. “To wear the yellow jer-
nation from Team Sky. sey is always a massive hon-
British rider Geraint Thomas or,” Thomas said. “To do it
won the first summit finish of two years in a row is really
the race and claimed the nice.” After going up the
yellow jersey on Wednes- beyond-category ascents
day while four-time cham- to Montee de Bisanne
pion Chris Froome moved and Col du Pre, plus the
up to second overall as Sky second-category Cormet
controlled numerous at- de Roselend, the stage
tacks. “Amazing position for concluded with the un-
us,” said Froome, who trails precedented and lengthy
Thomas, his teammate, by Britain’s Geraint Thomas celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the eleventh stage of the 17.6-kilometer climb to La
1 minute, 25 seconds. Tour de France cycling race over 108.5 kilometers (67.4 miles) with start in Albertville and finish in Rosiere — a ski resort linked
Thomas attacked on the La Rosiere Espace San Bernardo, France. to La Thuile in the Italian re-
last of four grueling climbs, Associated Press gion of Valle d’Aosta. With
powered past longtime a three-week race. For me, wards the end, then I will,” 3, lost contact midway views of Mont Blanc atop
breakaway leader Mikel whatever happens now it Thomas said. “We will see.” through the stage and fin- Montee de Bisanne, there
Nieve in the final kilometer, is a super successful Tour. The top five in the overall ished far behind. was also a technical and
and finished 20 seconds Froomey still has our best classification is rounded Sky calmly rode at its own tricky descent from Cormet
ahead of Tom Dumoulin. chance now — there’s still out by 2014 champion Vin- pace and slowly caught a de Roselend.
Froome crossed third, just more than half the race to cenzo Nibali in fourth, 2:14 series of breakaway riders The first overall contender
behind Dumoulin, who go. “It is an ideal scenario behind Thomas, and Primoz before Thomas kicked into to attack was Alejandro
moved up to third overall, at the moment,” Thomas Roglic in fifth, 2:23 back. action with 6 kilometers re- Valverde up the Col du
1:44 behind. added. Dumoulin, the time trial maining. Pre. Dumoulin then es-
The major question now Froome is attempting to world champion, is Sky’s “We were expecting at- caped from the peloton
may concern the dynam- match the record of five closest challenger. tacks,” Thomas said. “When with a downhill attack from
ics between Thomas and Tour victories shared by “He’s someone who can they go, it is never nice to Cormet de Roselend and
Froome within Sky. Thomas Jacques Anquetil, Eddy time-trial at the end of the see them all riding away joined up with Valverde
has been one of Froome’s Merckx, Bernard Hinault Tour, too. We’re going to but we had confidence in on the final climb. While
most loyal lieutenants for and Miguel Indurain. have to keep a close eye each other and we rode Valverde quickly dropped
years and Sky labeled him So will Thomas, wearing on him,” Froome said, look- really well.” back, Dumoulin kept up
a co-leader with Froome the yellow jersey, sacrifice ing ahead to the race’s Thomas, who is from Wales, his pace and was only sur-
entering this year’s Tour. himself for Froome on Thurs- only individual time trial in required slightly less than 3 passed by Thomas.
“Obviously, Froomey is the day’s climb up legendary the penultimate stage. 1/2 hours to complete the Sprinting standout Mark
leader,” Thomas said. “He Alpe d’Huez? Greg Van Avermaet, who 108.5-kilometer (67-mile) Cavendish, meanwhile,
has won six Grand Tours. “It depends on the situa- had worn the yellow jersey route from 1992 Winter finished far behind and
For me it’s an unknown. tion and what is going on in since his BMC squad won Olympics host city Albert- missed the time limit, end-
Froomey knows how to win the race. If I have to pull to- the team time trial in Stage ville to La Rosiere Espace ing his Tour.q

Truex, Furniture Row seeking

new primary sponsor for 2019

DENVER (AP) — Furniture Boats for 30 Cup races. and other major backers
Row Racing and defend- The energy shot company have scaled back on auto
ing NASCAR Cup Series has been a primary NAS- racing spending, includ-
champion Martin Truex Jr. CAR sponsor for nearly a ing Target, Home Depot,
are looking for a new spon- decade, including the last Sprint, UPS, Subway, Go-
sor. seven at the Cup level. Daddy and Best Buy.q
The team said Wednesday Rise’ Meguiar, sales presi-
that 5-hour ENERGY will dent for company parent FOR SALE
end its activity in NASCAR Living Essentials, praised 2 storey house, 4 bedrooms, 3
after this season, leaving Furniture Row and said it baths, swimming pool, yacuzzi
the No. 78 Toyota seeking was simply a business deci- on 660 m2, property land
a primary backer for 2019. sion. located at Ponton 5 minutes
This season, 5-hour ENERGY In March, Lowe’s said it drive to downtown. asking
Martin Truex Jr. celebrates his win in the NASCAR Cup Series price: usd.440.000
auto race Saturday, July 14, 2018, at Kentucky Speedway in was the co-primary spon- would not sponsor seven- Call 593 7118
Sparta, Ky. sor on the No. 78 along time champion Jimmie
Associated Press with Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Johnson after this season _______________________________209827