SPORTS SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2015

Martin tries to catch Cancellara at worlds

RICHMOND: is preparing for a “I’m happy to be here after my crash on kilometer. It will be a tough finale. It will be Worrack, seeking her fourth record-equalling tilt at glory as the World the ,” Martin said. “I’m looking really close among the teams.” gold in a row, and Canada’s Karol-Ann Canuel. Road Cycling Championships get under way forward to racing,” the German star added. BMC boasts Aussie veteran They will be tested by three-time podium this weekend, two months after he crashed Martin must wait until Wednesday for the and US standout Taylor Phinney while Green finisher Orica AIS, an Aussie-powered lineup out of the Tour de France with a broken collar- individual men’s time trial but his first race will Edge offers Aussies and with Amanda Spratt back from the past two bone. The 30-year-old Etixx Quick Step rider, come in Sunday’s six-rider team time trials, plus Canada’s . In years that also features ’s Emma seeks his fourth title in five where the 2012 and 2013 champions-includ- the individual time trial, Martin faces a chal- Johansson, second in the 2013 women’s road years, which would equal the all-time mark set ing defending world road race champion lenge from Movistar riders of race and third last year, and Oceania time trial by Swiss star , who took four Michal Kwiatkowski of -will try to Italy and of Spain-both champion Katrin Garfoot. of five between 2006 and 2010. Martin’s reign reclaim the title from defending champions national champions-plus Dennis and “The group has a great feel about it and I began in 2011 and lasted until he finished sec- BMC Racing, with Australia-backed Dutchman , third last year. think they can surprise themselves this weekend ond last year to Britain’s , who ORICAGreen Edge hoping to advance from Germany’s , the 27-year-old with the ride they are capable of putting togeth- has retired from road events. runner-up efforts the past two years. defending women’s individual time trial er,” said sport director Gene Bates. Johansson In July, Martin took the yellow jersey in the “I saw the course on Sunday and I have to champion, will lead Velocio SRAM into a quest and Dutch rider should challenge Tour de France but crashed out in stage six. say it will be pretty fast,” Quick Step sport for a fourth consecutive women’s team time Brennauer in Tuesday’s women’s individual time But last month, he won the Tour de Poitou- director Tom Steels said. “It will be fast until trial crown on Sunday. The former Specialized trials with Americans and Kristen Charentes, a signal he was back on form. the last climb, which is more or less in the last lululemon squad also includes German Trixi Armstrong threats as well. — AFP

Packers seek to turn the page against Seahawks

GREEN BAY: The say their NFL Sunday showdown with Seattle is more about setting a tone for 2015 than avenging the devastating defeat that ended their bid last season. But there’s no denying that after three straight losses to the Seahawks in Seattle, the Packers are looking forward to turning the tables on their National Football Conference rivals at Lambeau Field. The Packers went 9-0 at home last season, including the playoffs, before falling at Seattle in the NFC title game-surrendering a 19-7 lead in the final three minutes. “I can assure you, it’s not something that’s talked about much,” Packers linebacker Clay Matthews said of the revenge aspect of Sunday’s rematch. “Ultimately, this is just the sec- ond game of the season.” Packers Aaron Rodgers, the reigning NFL Most Valuable Player, echoed that view, shying away from the idea that it could be a season-defining contest. “Your identity as a team is formed throughout the year,” Rodgers said. “You’ve just got to look at it as game two. Every one’s important, especially with a conference opponent who is a talented team. “But, yeah, we’ve got to take care of business at home.” The Pack has been pretty good at that. Rodgers, for instance, hasn’t thrown an at Lambeau field since December of 2012. He was efficient in a 31-23 season-opening victory at Chicago last week, while the Seahawks will be trying to bounce back from a KANSAS CITY: (10) leaps for a between defen- 34-31 overtime loss to St. Louis. sive backs (left) Jamell Fleming (30) and Ron Parker (38) during the first half of an NFL football game. —AP Rodgers and the Packers offense will try to exploit the continuing absence of key Seahawks defender Kam Chancellor, whose contract holdout has kept him away from the team since June. Broncos comeback stun Chiefs Seattle’s defense gave up eight passing plays of at least 20 yards to the Rams-the most of any team last week. “It was a few communica- tion errors,” Richard Sherman said of the Seahawks’ fail- KANSAS CITY: and the in his career against the Chiefs. “I’ve been with at least 70,000 yards passing. “I’m really ures to read and adjust to the opposing offense. “It’s things like that Denver Broncos have beaten the Kansas City involved in a couple of pretty crazy games,” proud of our young offensive line - no poise that are easily corrected.” Chiefs every way imaginable over the years, he said, “but nothing quite like this.” Charles issues, no communication issues.” Along with the NFC grudge match the second week of the season from playoff shootouts to defensive tug-of- finished with 125 yards rushing and a touch- The late-game dramatics transpired after features a string of enticing division match-ups, including the wars. Well, not quite every way. Not until down, but he will only remember his fum- the Chiefs bolted to a 14-0 lead in their Cowboys’ clash with a team that now includes for- Thursday night. Denver cornerback Bradley bles - one in the red zone early in the game, home-opener, energizing a boisterous, red- mer Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray. Murray ran for a league- Roby returned ’ second fum- the other deep in his own territory late in the clad crowd that had been tailgating all after- best 1,845 yards and 13 last season for the Cowboys and ble 21 yards for a touchdown with 27 sec- game. noon. caught 57 passes. But the Cowboys opted to use their “franchise tag” onds left, completing a stunning comeback “I have to be careful with the ball,” But like he has so often against the on team-mate Dez Bryant, and a five-year deal worth $42 million from in the closing minute for a 31-24 victory - the Charles said. “It’s my fault.” Alex Smith threw Chiefs, Manning answered by leading the Eagles proved too good an offer for Murray to pass up. Broncos’ seventh straight over their AFC for 191 yards for Kansas City, but also had Denver on an 80-yard TD march late in the The Cowboys say there are no hard feelings-and no especially West rivals. two passes picked off. first half. The capper was a pass over the friendly ones either. “That’s the business of the NFL, guys move on to “I’m not quite sure I’d ever been in one “We thought we had it won,” Davis said. middle to Sanders, who slipped between the other teams,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. “Now he’s a com- quite like that,” Manning said. “That was a “Unfortunately, they made the touchdown safeties and somersaulted into the end zone petitor. We’re focused on ourselves, that’s what we need to do.” new one.” Manning threw for 256 yards and and it was our time to overcome and win the for the 16-yard touchdown reception. The Cowboys have already bested one division rival with a 27-26 three scores, the last to Emmanuel Sanders game, and we couldn’t finish. It was an emo- Two plays later, picked off victory over the New York Giants. But their task of building on that with 36 seconds left as the Broncos (2-0) tional rollercoaster.” Smith’s throw on a poorly thrown pass in the dramatic victory against a Philadelphia team that fell 24-26 to Atlanta appeared to force overtime. But on the next Manning threw a pick-six of his own, but flat, and the Broncos needed just four plays on Monday night will be harder after Bryant suffered a broken foot play from scrimmage, with the Chiefs (1-1) he responded when it mattered the most. for Manning to find with a tying that will see him sidelined up to six weeks. “They have weapons also eyeing overtime, Charles was stripped The Broncos took over at their own 20 after touchdown toss. besides Dez Bryant,” Eagles coach Chip Kelly said. “It’s always a diffi- by Brandon Marshall and the ball bounced Davis had given Kansas City the lead, and the After swapping field goals, the Chiefs cult time when you lose a player like that, but it’s not like they don’t right into Roby’s hands. The dramatic about- seven-time All-Pro marched them calmly were poised to celebrate when Davis took a have anybody else.” In other division match-ups, Minnesota host face came after Knile Davis gave Kansas City down field. Manning found Demaryius handoff from Smith as the quarterback fell Detroit with both teams seeking a first win of the season and New the lead with 2:27 left on an 8-yard run, rais- Thomas for three long receptions to get down and raced into the end zone late in the Orleans host Tampa Bay with Saints quarterback Drew Brees needing ing hope among a sellout crowd that the deep into Chiefs territory, then hit Sanders fourth quarter. three touchdown passes to join Peyton Manning (530), Brett Favre Chiefs might finally end some curses. with a strike over the middle on third-and-10 Turned out to be not late enough for (508) and Dan Marino (420) as the only players in NFL history to reach Instead, Denver won its 13th straight divi- from the Chiefs 19 for the touchdown that Manning and the Broncos. “I’ll tell you,” 400 career touchdown passes. , quarterback of the Super sion road game, breaking a tie with the San kept Denver alive. Manning said, “their defense is so much bet- Bowl champion New England, is closing in on the same milestone, Francisco 49ers (1987-90) for most in NFL “That last drive was really good,” said ter than last year. They’re so stout against the with 396 career touchdown passes going into the Patriots’ division history. And for one night, Manning quieted Manning, who joined Brett Favre during the run. They just make it hard all night. We just clash with the Bills at Buffalo. —AFP his growing doubters by improving to 14-1 game as the only in NFL history kept plugging.” — AP