Page 15 - Aruba-today-17 Sept 2020

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SPORTS Thursday 17 sepTember 2020

Roglic extends overall Tour lead; Lopez wins toughest stage

MERIBEL, France (AP) — Co- French President Emmanu-
lombian rider Miguel An- el Macron was on hand to
gel Lopez won the tough- applaud Lopez when he
est mountain stage of this crossed the finish line after
year's Tour de France, while 4 hours, 49 minutes and 8
race leader Primož Roglic seconds of a grueling trek
added a few crucial sec- which featured two of the
onds to his advantage over hardest climbs known as
rival Tadej Pogacar. Hors Categorie, or beyond
The much-vaunted 17th category.
stage saw Roglic finishing Lopez explained why he
15 seconds behind Lopez in was not unsettled by the
second place, while Poga- daunting climbs.
car trudged over the line "At 2,000 meters of altitude,
30 seconds behind Lopez I feel like at home. I took
in third. some advantage when I
But with another tough day had to," he said. "It's won-
of climbing to come on derful. The team did an ex-
Thursday, Roglic remained cellent job from start to fin-
wary of the threat posed by ish ... we've dreamt big and
his Slovenian countryman we never lost faith before
— although back home fighting day after day. This
people may not care which stage win is the best."
of the two stands atop the Sam Bennett kept the green
podium when the race fin- Colombia's Miguel Angel Lopez crosses the finish line to win stage 17 of the Tour de France jersey for best sprinter from
ishes in Paris on Sunday. cycling race over 107 kilometers (105.6 miles) from Grenoble to Meribel Col de la Loze, France, rival Peter Sagan but Ben-
"I don't think the job is Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2020. oit Cosnefroy faded early
done. Am I happy with the Associated Press in the final ascent and lost
gap I have over Pogacar? his best climber's polka-dot
Well… It's never enough. climb, but you can't com- "I lost a few seconds. It was where tarmac was laid jersey to Pogacar.
When you have something, pare these last 4-5K to very steep. I did my best last year on a mountain Defending champion Egan
you always want more," he anything else. I'm glad this and I've lost a bit of time path which is only open to Bernal pulled out before
said. "These last days I've stage is behind us," said on Lopez and Roglic but bikes, Pogacar increased Wednesday's stage. The
seen so many Slovenian Roglic, who praised his it's not over yet," Pogacar the pace with about four Colombian had been strug-
flags on the roadside, all American teammate Sepp said. "There's another diffi- kilometers left while Roglič gling since Friday's stage in
day long. This always gives Kuss for his efforts in helping cult stage tomorrow. It'll be tucked behind him and the Jura mountains, where
you some extra energy, it him up the hardest parts. another hard battle." Uran was dropped. he dropped more than
is such an unique feeling. I "On this climb, every meter Roglic is 57 seconds ahead Lopez then attacked and seven minutes on the main
hope they are proud of us counts. Having his help was of Pogacar with four stages went after Richard Cara- contenders.
back in Slovenia." really good." remaining. Lopez overtook paz, one of five riders who Stage 18 from Méribel is
The 170-kilometer (105.4- Lopez timed his attack per- Rigoberto Urán to move up had formed an early break- 175 kilometers (108.5 miles)
mile) trek's final ascent to fectly with just under 3 kilo- to third overall and is 1 min- away group and the last to long and another demand-
the Méribel ski station was meters to go while Roglic ute, 26 seconds behind Ro- be caught with 3 kilometers ing one with an early Cat-
the high point of this year's accelerated away from glic heading into another remaining. egory 1 climb, followed by
race at 2,304 meters, wind- Pogacar, who clawed testing mountain stage on With Lopez surging ahead, another one up the Aravis
ing up a Loze pass never some of the gap back but Thursday. Urán dropped to Roglič attacked Pogacar, pass and the Hors Catego-
before ridden and with tor- may have bid farewell to sixth. who responded well near rie Plateau des Glières be-
tuous gradients of 24%. his chances of winning the As riders tackled the steep- the end to limit the dam- fore an undulating descent
"I felt really good on the Tour. est section of the Loze, age. to La Roche-sur-Foron.q

Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson 2021 Hall of Fame candidates

By BARRY WILNER Allen, Justin Tuck and Kevin Eighteen finalists will be pre-
AP Pro Football Writer Williams; linebacker Jerod sented to the full 48-mem-
Peyton Manning and Mayo; and defensive back ber panel: the 15 mod-
Charles Woodson are Charles Tillman. ern-era finalists, and the
among 14 first-year eligi- In all, there are 130 nomi- recently nominated Drew
ble candidates for the Pro nees for five modern-era Pearson (senior); Bill Nunn
Football Hall of Fame. spots. The roster of nomi- (contributor); and Tom
Joining the two-time Super nees consists of 65 offensive Flores (coach).
Bowl champion quarter- players, 49 defensive play- Enshrinement at the hall
back and the star corner- ers and 16 special teams in Canton, Ohio, will take
back/safety on the bal- players. The list will be re- place next August, when
lot are receivers Calvin duced to 25 semifinalists in members of the 2020 class
Johnson, Wes Welker and November and to 15 final- and a special centennial
Roddy White; running back ists in January. A maximum class also will enter the
Steven Jackson; tight end of five modern-era players football shrine. The 2020 In this Dec. 29, 2013, file photo, Oakland Raiders cornerback
Heath Miller; offensive line- will be chosen when the class could not be en- Charles Woodson (24) talks with Denver Broncos quarterback
Peyton Manning (18) after an NFL football game in Oakland,
men D'Brickashaw Fergu- selection committee meets shrined due to the corona- Calif.
son and Logan Mankins; the Saturday before the Su- virus pandemic and will be Associated Press
defensive linemen Jared per Bowl in Tampa, Florida. honored next summer.q