SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2015 SPORTS

FRANCE: Great Britain’s Christopher Froome (center) rides in the pack with his teammates of the Great Britain’s Sky cycling team during the 181.5 km eighth stage of the 102nd edition of the cycling race. —AFP Vuillermoz wins Tour stage

FRANCE: Alexis Vuillermoz won the eighth an stage with a regulation breakaway that was The news somewhat overshadowed Mark stage of the Tour de France yesterday to reeled in 8km from the end. Cavendish’s first stage win in almost two years become the first French rider to triumph this While the time gaps were minimal, Nibali on the Tour and 26th in total, taking him into year. The 27-year-old former mountain biker will be concerned that he was dropped just sole possession of third place on the all-time escaped on the final 2km climb to the finish at three days away from the first mountain sum- list behind five-time Tour winners Mur de Bretagne following a 181.5km stage mit finish at La Pierre-Saint Martin with its (34) and (28). from Rennes. beyond category climb measuring 15.3km at The 30-year-old’s acceleration past Andre Ireland’s Dan Martin timed his counter- an average 7.4 percent. Greipel-who had triumphed in the previous attack a shade too late and came home sec- Meanwhile, a cloud hung over the start of two sprint finishes-was a timely reminder to ond at 5sec with Spaniard the eighth stage of the Tour de France in his Etixx-Quick Step team of what the Manx winning the sprint finish for third at 10sec. Rennes yesterday following the first positive Missile is capable. Briton finished eighth, safely doping case in three years. His contract runs out at the end of this sea- in the lead peloton to retain the overall Italian Luca Paolini was withdrawn from the son. “I’ve grown with this team, I’m really hap- leader’s yellow jersey by 11sec from Peter Tour by his Katusha team on Friday night after py, you can see the ambiance we’ve got at Sagan, who did at least take the green points the International Cycling Union (UCI) informed Quick Step. I’d love to stay here, I really would,” jersey. the Russian outfit of the 38-year-old testing said Cavendish. Meanwhile, the 181.5km American Tejay Van Garderen is third over- positive for cocaine. It was the first doping eighth stage from Rennes to Mur de Bretagne all at 13sec. But reigning champion Vincenzo case during the world’s most prestigious will see the return of the race leader’s yellow Nibali gave up a few seconds as he was cycling race since Frank Schleck returned a jersey. dropped by the lead pack on the final climb, positive reading for a diuretic in 2012. Chris Froome had declined the opportunity with its average gradient of 6.9 percent. Katusha expressed their surprise by the to wear it during Friday’s seventh stage as a Vuillermoz confirmed the promise he’d shown result, which was given following Tuesday’s mark of respect to Tony Martin, who would FRANCE: France’s Alexis Vuillermoz celebrates as he crosses the finish line at the end of the on Monday’s third stage when he was third fourth stage, as cocaine in itself is not a per- have been leading the race but for being 181.5 km eighth stage of the 102nd edition of the Tour de France cycling race. —AFP behind Joaquim Rodriguez and Froome on a formance-enhancer. forced out of the Tour with a broken collar- similar finish at the Mur de Huy. The 27-year- If taken out of competition, it is not even a bone from a crash on Thursday. Froome was second behind Spaniard Joaquim 6.9 percent gradient as opposed to 1.3km at old showed how comfortable he was on such banned substance. “We’re very surprised But Froome, the 2013 champion, said he Rodriguez but gained a handful of seconds on 9.6 percent. short, sharp uphill finishes, no doubt leaning because cocaine is not a substance that will wear it yesterday. “It’s a huge privilege to his main rivals, reigning champion Vincenzo And Froome believes there will be some on his mountain biking experience, having improves performance,” team spokesman be in yellow, this is every cyclist’s dream. I’m Nibali, two-time former winner Alberto movement between the favorites. “From what also taken sixth place at April’s Fleche Philippe Maertens told AFP. Katusha added in really, really happy to be in the yellow jersey,” Contador and 2014 Giro d’Italia laureate Nairo I understand, it’s not going to be as selective Wallonne one-day Classic, which likewise fin- a statement: “According to the UCI Regulations said the 30-year-old, Kenyan-born Briton. Quintana. as the Mur de Huy,” said the Team Sky leader. ishes on the Mur de Huy. the rider has been provisionally suspended The Mur de Bretagne sees a similar finish to The Mur de Bretagne is longer than the Mur “But we can certainly expect there to be small It was a thrilling finish after a fairly pedestri- with immediate effect.” Monday’s climb up the Mur de Huy, where de Huy but not as steep — 2km at an average gaps.”—AFP

Keselowski wins Xfinity Series race

SPARTA: Brad Keselowski overcame a Elliott Sadler (Ford) fifth. first of two leads for 62 of the first 100 late-race mistake after a restart to Chris Buescher remained atop the laps. reclaim the lead from Erik Jones with standings and has a 36-point lead on Keselowski started fourth but was eight laps remaining, holding him off defending series champion Chase in the hunt and soon established him- to win the NASCAR Xfinity Series race Elliott after finishing 11th, two spots self as another contender when he Friday night at Kentucky Speedway. ahead of Elliott. overtook Busch on Lap 79 and set the Keselowski earned his third series Keselowski led three times for 72 pace from there. He eventually yield- victory on the 1.5-mile oval and sec- laps for his 33rd career series win and ed the lead upon pitting to Darrell ond 300-mile win in three starts. He one that matched Team Penske team- Wallace Jr., who led briefly before giv- had to bounce back from a hiccup mate Joey Logano for the most wins ing the lead back to Busch as he pit- after a Lap 169 restart that appeared at Kentucky (three). He will start sec- ted for tires and fuel to prepare for the to hand the race to Jones. Unfazed, ond in Saturday night’s 400-mile Cup stretch run. the 2012 Sprint Cup Series champion race that he’s won twice. Keselowski was soon stalking regrouped and guided his No. 22 Ford More rain earlier in the day washed Busch and caught a break on Lap 163 Mustang past Jones’ Toyota on Lap out qualifying and set the grid accord- when John Wes Townley hit the Turn 2 192 and went on to the win after fin- ing to Thursday’s practice speeds. J.J. wall to bring out a caution and send ishing second last year. Yeley started first alongside Ty Dillon, the leaders down pit road. Keselowski Kyle Busch (Toyota) was third after whose good start quickly pushed him beat Busch out of the pits and led the leading a race-high 88 laps, with past Yeley and in front for 15 laps restart before allowing Jones to surge Daniel Suarez (Toyota) fourth and before Busch asserted himself for the ahead for 22 laps. —AP Four gored at Pamplona VIVA welcomes Daniel Alves on his visit to Kuwait running of the bulls PAMPLONA: One bull chosen to take Americans - both men - were a 34-year- The run covers 930 yards (850 KUWAIT: Being the platinum sponsor Daniel Alves da Silva, commonly VIVA’s sponsorship of the Al part in yesterday’s San Fermin festival old from Philadelphia identified only by meters) from a holding pen on the edge of the annual Al Roudan Indoor known as Dani Alves is a Brazilian pro- Roudan Tournament stems from its took one look at thousands of thrill- his initials J.N.O., who suffered two gor- of town to the central bullring where Football Tournament, VIVA, Kuwait’s fessional footballer who plays for strong belief in the importance of the seekers waiting to be chased down ings, one behind his knee and another the beasts - including Curioso - face fastest-growing and most developed Spanish club FC Barcelona and the sports sector, it is also part of the com- Pamplona’s narrow streets and scam- near the anus, and a 20-year-old with matadors and almost certain death in telecom operator, took part in a pri- Brazilian national team. Before joining pany’s Corporate Social Responsibility pered back to the safety of his corral. lesser injuries identified as A.G.O., the afternoon bullfights. The cobblestone vate event hosted by the organizers to Barcelona, Alves spent a successful six- program to help generate more inter- It was like a scene straight from regional government said in a state- streets of Pamplona were packed with meet the well-known football player year spell with Sevilla, winning two est and awareness among the public Munro Leaf children’s book “The Story of ment. Kiko Betelu of the Navarra thrill-seekers who had traveled to the Daniel Alves da Silva. UEFA Cups and the Copa del Rey. He regarding sports. This tournament is Ferdinand,” about a bull that prefers region’s medical service said three of northern city to take part in the annual VIVA’s Corporate Communications joined Barcelona where he won the one of the leading and most promi- smelling flowers to bullfights. the gorings were simple to treat, but San Fermin festivities. The weekend team and esteemed guests welcomed Treble in his first season with the club nent sports activities held during The reticent bull in Pamplona, one of the injuries was deep and runs are traditionally the most popular Alves at the VIP hall at Kuwait and in the next season, he won the Ramadan. It also represents VIVA’s sup- named Curioso I, barely ran 20 yards required surgery. and well-attended. The nine-day fiesta International Airport, who participated Spanish Super Cup, European Super port to football fans by presenting (meters) before heading back. Normally six bulls run in the San was immortalized in Ernest in a friendly match at the Al Roudan Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Also, he them the opportunity to follow this Meanwhile, his five ornery stable-mates Fermin festival, but on this occasion Hemingway’s 1926 novel “The Sun Also gored four revelers - including two Curioso - a 1,180-pound (535-kilogram) Rises.” Every morning of the festival at 8 tournament. helped the club to clinch another exciting sporting competition Americans - and injured five others with beast belonging to the Jose Escolar a.m., the bulls race through the During the event, Alves talked Spanish Super Cup, two league titles between the various teams, as well as cuts and bruises as they hurtled breeding ranch - later had to be trans- medieval streets accompanied by an about his football experience over the and a UEFA Champions League in the becoming familiar with all the details through the northern Spanish city. One ported to the ring to join the other five. equal number of large steers - each years and shared his views about years that followed. In 2011, Alves was and updates taking place throughout bull charged into runners, goring one Unlike the gentle, flower-sniffing wearing a clanking cowbell - tasked sports in the region, particularly in appointed as a Special Olympics the tournament. VIVA has been keen deeply in a thigh while cutting another Ferdinand, Curioso - which means curi- with keeping the pack tight and gallop- Kuwait, and hailed VIVA’s commitment Ambassador for its Global Football to communicate effectively with all runner’s leg as it lifted its head. Red ous in English - almost certainly won’t ing at an even pace. This was the first towards sports and football over the program, charged with promoting segments of society, especially the Cross spokesman Jose Aldaba said four get a chance to retire. time that breeder Escolar - whose heav- past six years, including its partnership respect and inclusion in football for youth, through supporting their activi- people received treatment after being According to San Fermin experts iest animal was the 1,280-pound (580- with Manchester United and Real people with intellectual disabilities, ties and contributing to the promotion gored while at least five others were commenting for state television TVE, the kilogram) Costurero - had presented Madrid, to its strategic sponsorship particularly in the run up to the 2014 of sports competition during the Holy recovering from sprains, bruises and - in last time a bull turned back to the hold- bulls for this festival, which dates back with Kuwait Football Association (KFA). FIFA World Cup. month of Ramadan. one case - a broken collarbone. The ing pen was in the 19th century. to the late 16th century. —AP