Pyrenees find out struggling champ Contador July 14, 2011 DEFENDING champion Alberto Contador lost further ground on the first mountain stage of this year’s Tour de France. The three-time winner began yesterday’s 12th stage across the Pyrenees over four minutes behind race leader Thomas Voeckler. And although he remains a similar distance adrift of the Europcar rider, crucially he is now 2mins 11secs, 1:54 [...]
Baldini to quit England role July 14, 2011 FOOTBALL: Franco Baldini will leave his job as England’s general manager at the end of the Euro 2012 qualifiers to take up a similar role with Italian side Roma. But he would be willing to work with the team on a short-term basis should they qualify for next summer’s tournament.
Barron critical of RFU behaviour July 14, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Former Rugby Football Union chief Francis Baron says he is angry at the way the organisation is being run. Earlier this week, the RFU chose not to publish a report by Judge Jeff Blackett into the ousting of former chief executive John Steele. “The board is in a state of total denial. Nobody is [...]
Alonso will risk all to catch Vettel July 14, 2011 FORMULA ONE: Former world champion Fernando Alonso is throwing caution to the wind as he bids to overhaul runaway leader Sebastian Vettel in the race for the Formula One title. The Ferrari driver, winner of last Sunday’s British Grand Prix, is 92 points behind Vettel with nine of the 19 races gone. The Spaniard said: “We [...]
BRIT HOPEFULS PREPARE FOr ULTIMATE OPEN TEST July 13, 2011 • Strong winds may see tees brought forward • Winner must favour brain over muscle HOPES of a first British winner of The Open since 1999 will be tested to the limit not only by a stellar international field but also by the elements which threaten to turn Royal St George’s into a place not [...]
Refreshed Poulter is primed for action again July 13, 2011 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter is feeling refreshed and ready for another Open challenge having spent the last couple of weeks enjoying life away from the golf course. While his contemporaries have been readying themselves by playing at last week’s Scottish Open, and before that at Le Golf National in Paris, Poulter took a seat in the [...]
Liverpool agree £20m Downing fee July 13, 2011 Liverpool moved a step closer to signing England winger Stewart Downing from Aston Villa last night when the two clubs agreed on a fee of £20m. Former Middlesbrough player Downing has been a key summer target of Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish, and talks with the 26-year-old can begin. Liverpool said in a statement on their [...]
No problems with Nasri’s attitude July 13, 2011 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has praised the attitude of his unsettled midfield star Samir Nasri. The France international is stalling on signing an extension to his contract, which expires next summer, amid significant interest from Manchester United and Manchester City. he 24-year-old featured as a second half substitute in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Malaysia yesterday [...]
Springbok skipper Smit all set for Saracens move July 13, 2011 PREMIERSHIP champions Saracen’s have completed the flagship signing of South Africa captain John Smit. The 33-year-old, the most capped skipper and forward in Springbok’s history, will join upon the conclusion of October’s World Cup in New Zealand. “I am delighted to have signed for a club widely renowned for their ferocious work ethic,” said Smit. [...]
Cavendish rejoices after snatching green jersey July 13, 2011 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish powered to victory on stage 11 of the Tour de France and moved into the sprinters’ green jersey in the process. The 167.5 kilometres route from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur came down to the expected sprint finish and Cavendish’s HTC-Highroad team controlled it superbly in the torrential rain. Heading into the finish Mark [...]