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A23
SPORTS Friday 26 July 2019

Daring Alaphilippe ‘unplugged brain’ to cling to Tour yellow

By JOHN LEICESTER that. Even I’m starting to
AP Sports Writer imagine it,” he said.
SAINT-MICHEL-DE-MAURI- Continuing to contribute
ENNE, France (AP) — With more than anyone to mak-
the Alps spread like giant ing this the most exciting
teeth in front of him and Tour in decades, the French
rivals speeding away, seek- rider recovered from a mini-
ing to steal the precious yel- wilt on a lung-burning as-
low jersey off his shoulders, cent to 2,642 meters (8,668
Julian Alaphilippe switched feet) above sea level on
off the part of the brain that the Galibier pass and then
stops normal people from rode like a fury downhill on
taking death-defying risks. the other side as if his jersey
Because the French rider is depended on it.
no normal person. Which it did.
And downward he With a decisive, well-placed
plunged, flying through attack on the slopes of the
hairpin bends on tires bare- Galibier — the last of three
ly wider than his thumb. The climbs to above 2,000 me-
lunar-like landscape of gi- ters (6,500 feet) on Stage
ant slopes of barren scree 18 — Colombian rider Egan
became a blur as he hit Bernal got away from Ala-
top speeds of nearly 90 kph philippe and ate into his
(around 55 mph). lead. Colombia’s Nairo Quintana celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the eighteenth stage of
“It was a day of folly,” Ala- A slow descent or, worse, a the Tour de France cycling race over 208 kilometers (130 miles) with start in Embrun and finish in
philippe said. fall from Alaphilippe on the Valloire, France, Thursday, July 25,
“I unplugged my brain and treacherous bends could Associated Press
I was on the limit on each have seen Bernal do even both finish with punishing breathing down his neck it a one-two punch on the
bend,” he said. “I did a greater damage to his lead ascents, meaning there’ll and making an already Galibier by also attacking
crazy descent, where I took or perhaps erase it entirely. be no downhill for Ala- thrilling Tour only more un- on the last hairpins leading
risks. I wanted to save my But Alaphilippe is like a dog philippe to recover on, as certain in its outcome after to the top, lined by thick,
jersey.” Job done. with a bone when it comes he did Thursday, if he again more than 3,000 kilome- cheering crowds.
With one big Alpine stage to that iconic shirt. He has cracks going uphill. ters (1,850 miles) of rac- But Thomas couldn’t make
completed and just two now worn it for 13 stages at Bernal and others are bank- ing through Belgium and his offensive stick. Ala-
more to go, Alaphilippe is this Tour, the most by any ing on it. France. philippe caught him again
still in yellow and one step French rider at a single edi- Bernal’s reward for speed- “It’s very good for the mo- on the downhill to the finish.
closer to delivering a first tion since Bernard Hinault ing away from Alaphilippe rale. But Julian demon- Thomas is still 1:35 behind
Tour de France title since held it for 17 days in win- on the grind to the top of strated once again that he Alaphilippe, as he was at
1985 to his country, cross- ning the race for a fifth time the Galibier was a jump is very strong,” Bernal said. the start of Stage 18, but
ing fingers, toes and every- in 1985. from fifth to second in the “Everything is possible. I’m slipped back to third over-
thing else that he makes it The upside for rivals trying overall standings. Having in the mix but to win the all behind Bernal.
through the mountains to to wrench it from his jaws started the day 2 minutes, Tour is difficult.” Thomas suggested the
Paris on Sunday still in the is that the last two Alpine 2 seconds behind Ala- Bernal’s Ineos teammate, stage simply hadn’t been
lead. stages to the ski stations philippe, Bernal is now just defending champion Ger- ridden hard enough to
“We’re all dreaming of of Tignes and Val Thorens 90 seconds behind him, aint Thomas, tried to make make Alaphilippe crack.q

L.A.Clippers and wanted to be a part

of ever since they missed
out on me in the draft. But
Continued from Page 17 Jerry West and coach Doc that’s another story. That
Rivers. wasn’t on Steve’s time, so
In explaining their deci- West and Ballmer struc- it’s cool.”
sion to team up with the tured their entire franchise The Clippers’ long-standing
Clippers, Leonard and specifically to attract elite reputation as a miserable
George both mentioned talent this summer, and franchise has receded an-
the importance of play- Leonard sees the Clippers nually during their current
ing near their friends and as fertile ground to grow run of eight consecutive
family. Both were eager to another champion quickly. winning seasons. The Don-
join a team they grew up “It’s an opportunity for us ald Sterling era’s flaws have
watching intently from their to just build our own, you been wholly erased since
hometowns in the far-flung know what I mean?” Leon- Kawhi Leonard, center, and Paul George , second right, holding Ballmer bought the team
LA suburbs during the Clip- ard said. their new team jerseys, pose with Los Angeles Clippers President seven years ago and trust-
pers’ leaner years. “To make history. They of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank, left, head coach Doc ed Rivers and West to run it.
But Leonard and George haven’t been to a Finals. Rivers, second left, and team chairman Steve Ballmer during a For all of their recent suc-
seemed to be most im- They haven’t won a Finals. press conference in Los Angeles, Wednesday, July 24, 2019. cess with the likes of Chris
pressed by this steady, ce- That was something big Associated Press Paul, Blake Griffin and To-
rebral franchise’s support- and exciting for me.” scribed his departure from of something special,” bias Harris, the Clippers still
ing cast and leadership While Leonard joined the the Thunder as “a mutual George said. “I want to haven’t reached a Western
—everyone from comple- Clippers as a free agent, thing between the both of help build something spe- Conference final or stolen
mentary players Patrick George got here through a us that the time was up” in cial, and this is surreal to much of the local spotlight
Beverley and Lou Williams trade with Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City. be home and do it for a from the 16-time champion
to front-office architect The All-NBA first-teamer de- “I want to be a part team that I grew up with, Lakers.q