MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2015 SPORTS Kristoff makes history, grabs Tour of Flanders BELGIUM: Alexander Kristoff became the while yet another vehicle from the same first ever Norwegian to win the prestigious company caused a car crash that resulted in Tour of Flanders yesterday as he beat Frenchman Sylvain Chavanel, twice previ- Dutchman Niki Terpstra in a sprint finish. ously second in the this race, knocked off Belgian Greg Van Avermaet took third his bike. The next obstacle around 60km ahead of Peter Sagan of Slovakia in fourth. from home was an inflatable arch over the But it was a breakaway led by last year’s road that had started to deflate and col- Paris-Roubaix winner Terpstra 30km from lapse-a loan spectator seemed to be help- home that made the difference with only ing hold it up as the riders passed under- 2014 Milan-San Remo winner Kristoff able neath with barley an inch of clear air to to follow, winning his second ‘Monument’ spare. The fight really started to kick into race. “I raced here a lot as a young rider, I gear with the passage of the tough watched this race a long time before I got Koppenberg climb-with one section boast- the chance to participate,” said Kristoff, 27. ing a 22 percent gradient — 45km from the “The dream was just to participate, not to finish, with Thomas showing his strength at win it. Now I have also won it’s a great feel- that moment as he briefly opened a gap on ing. I can’t describe it. some of his main rivals. “It was my main goal for this part of the Van Avermaet was next to have a dig on season and to achieve it is a great feeling.” It the following climb before Jurgen Relandts was that break on the Kruisberg climb, the accelerated on a flat section as splits formed third last of 19 on a brutal day that covered amongst the leaders, gradually reducing 264km, that made the decisive split. Terpstra the group of possible winners. knew that Kristoff was the better sprinter by One of the big losers was Sep Vanmarcke far, although both had shown great form in who faced a forlorn chase to regain contact the last month with the Norwegian finishing on the Kruisberg climb while Olympic time- second to John Degenkolb in the defence of trial champion Bradley Wiggins had long his Milan-San Remo title before winning been in difficulty and languishing near the Three Days of De Panne last week, having back. triumphed in three of the four stages. The Kruisberg was where Terpstra Terpstra had also been in good form having attacked and took Kristoff with him, quickly finished second at Gent-Wevelgem a week opening up a gap of 30sec with 20km left. ago but although he forced Kristoff into Thomas attacked on the final of three leading for much of the last 10km and lead- ascensions of the Kwaremont-the penulti- ing out the sprint, when he finally made his mate climb-and only Zdenek Stybar initially attack, there was no contest. Pre-race could hold his wheel. They couldn’t make it favorite Geraint Thomas was unable to stick, though, and it was Van Avermaet fol- shine, hamstrung by close marking and lowed by Sagan who got a gap on the rolled over the line outside the top 10. If the chasers on the final climb, the Paterberg. NEW YORK: In a photo provided by the New York Racing Association, Frosted (left) with Joel Rosario, captures the $1 million Wood Memorial horse race first 220km were tepid, bordering on dull, But although they never gave up their at Aqueduct. — AP from a racing point of view, it was still pretty chase, the front two had the strength to hot on the road for certain riders. prevent them from bridging, leaving Frosted win Wood Memorial New Zealand’s Jesse Sergent was Kristoff to demonstrate his power in the knocked down by a Shimano service car sprint finish. — AFP NEW YORK: It’s been 12 years since a horse who ranks fourth with 113. El Kabeir is seventh with leading up to the Wood was a big concern for ran in the Wood Memorial went on to win the 95 points after earning 20 for third, while McLaughlin. He ran second in the Remsen and Kentucky Derby. The last time a Wood winner did Tencendur grabbed 40 for second and is 15th the Holy Bull and fourth in the Fountain of Youth. it was 15 years ago. with 41 points. Daredevil (20) and Tiz Shea D (20) “We know he has a ton of ability,” McLaughlin That could change in four weeks. Frosted won still have outside chances. The Derby field has a said. “And the last race really made us scratch our the $1 million Wood at Aqueduct Racetrack on maximum of 20 starters. heads, asking why? We did everything we could Saturday, and tops a possible five-horse In two other major prep races Saturday, to change everything. It all worked out, and it’s entourage heading from New York to Louisville Dortmund remained undefeated with a 4 1 /4- just a special win.” Among the changes were opt- on May 2. Frosted took the lead from 21-1 long length romp in the Santa Anita Derby, and Carpe ing to bring the colt to New York rather than run shot Tencendur in midstretch and won New Diem won the Blue Grass at Keeneland by three in last week’s Florida Derby and calling on York’s major prep for the Derby by two lengths lengths. Frosted, ridden by Joel Rosario, won in Rosario to replace Irad Ortiz Jr. Frosted now two on Saturday at Aqueduct Racetrack. 1:50.31. The gray colt owned by Godolphin wins in seven starts - both at Aqueduct. Both 3-year-olds are on their way to the Racing returned $6.40, $4.50 and $3. Tencendur Twelve years ago, Funny Cide ran second in Derby, as well as third-place finisher El Kabeir, paid $15.40 and $5.60. El Kabeir was third and the Wood and went on to win the Derby and the based on Derby qualifying points. Fourth- and paid $2.70. “I’m from Louisville and I’d love to run Preakness; 15 years ago Fusaichi Pegasus won fifth-place finishers Daredevil and Tiz Shea D are in the Derby,” Tencendur’s trainer George Weaver the Wood and then the Derby. In other races at on the bubble. Winning trainer Kiaran said. “As long as the horse is in good shape, I’d be the Big A, favorite Condo Commando ($3.30) McLaughlin says Frosted will have no trouble inclined to go.” The seven-horse field broke well pulled away in the stretch and won the $300,000 with the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance after his per- on a sunny but breezy day at the Big A, with Gazelle for 3-year-old fillies by 2 1/2 lengths over formance in the 1 1/8-mile Wood. Toasting Master and Daredevil setting the pace. Puca, March ($21.20) held off the charge of Lord “No problem after the way he rolled up and Tencendur ran just off the leaders most of the Nelson for a half-length victory in the $300,000 passed them all,” McLaughlin said. “I don’t think way before taking over turning for home. An BayShore for 3-year-olds, and Dads Caps ($13.40) another eighth-of-a-mile will be any problem.” upset loomed by the New York-bred until a was a repeat winner in the $400,000 Carter for 4- BELGIUM: Norvegian Alexander Kristoff of Team Katusha celebrates after winning Frosted earned 100 Derby qualifying points determined Frosted made his run from sixth to year-olds and up, beating Green Gratto by 1 1/2 the 99th Tour of Flanders’ one day 264.2 kms cycling race. — AFP with his first win in more than five months and victory. A three-race losing streak by Frosted lengths. — AP England end Sevens series title drought in wet Tokyo TOKYO: England picked up their first title on 2013. “I am unbelievably proud of this team. It’s South Africa still lead the way after collect- the Sevens World Series this season after beat- a huge effort and we are so grateful to deliver ing 19 for the runners-up spot to move onto ing championship leaders South Africa 21-14 in this title,” skipper Mitchell said after victory at a 129, four clear of Fiji with only two rounds left the final of the Tokyo tournament yesterday. wet Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground. in the series in Glasgow and London next Phil Burgess, Charlie Hayter and Tom The 22 points moved them onto 100 and month. The Fijians, winners of the last two tour- Mitchell scored the tries in the final for the ahead of Australia into the fourth and final naments in Las Vegas and Hong Kong, picked English, who bounced back from a thumping Olympic qualifying position availablefrom the up 17 points in Tokyo after edging Canada 21- group stage defeat to Fiji on Saturday to win a series. Further spots are available for next year’s 19 to finish third. first title since the Wellington Sevens in Feb. Rio de Janeiro Games via regional qualifiers. The Fijian’s hat-trick bid was ended by the South Africans in a nervy, error-strewn semi- final that the Blitzbokke took 7-5.