logo
The sprint stage that wasn't going to happen, but did in the end...

The sprint stage that wasn't going to happen, but did in the end...

SBS Australia13-07-2025
In the latest SBS Cycling Podcast, Christophe Mallet and Dave McKenzie recap a dramatic Stage 9 of the Tour de France. Starting in the stunning Loire Valley, the stage was marked by bold tactics, especially from Mathieu van der Poel and Jonas Rickaert, who launched an early attack. Looking ahead, the hosts preview a brutal Stage 10, featuring over 4,500 metres of climbing that could shake up the general classification.
Australian riders Ben O'Connor and Michael Storer are poised to make moves in the mountains.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Prosecutors call for PSG's Achraf Hakimi to face rape trial
Prosecutors call for PSG's Achraf Hakimi to face rape trial

News.com.au

time20 minutes ago

  • News.com.au

Prosecutors call for PSG's Achraf Hakimi to face rape trial

French prosecutors on Friday called for Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023 which the Moroccan international denies. The Nanterre prosecutor's office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court. "It is now up to the investigating magistrate to make a decision within the framework of his order," the prosecutor's office told AFP in a statement. Hakimi, 26, played a major role in PSG's run to their first Champions League title, the full-back scoring the opener in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final in May. Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic charge to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping a 24-year-old woman. Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away on holiday. He denies the accusations. In Qatar, Hakimi was a cornerstone of the Morocco team that became the first African or Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.

Lando Norris contradicts Oscar Piastri over Max Verstappen call
Lando Norris contradicts Oscar Piastri over Max Verstappen call

News.com.au

time14 hours ago

  • News.com.au

Lando Norris contradicts Oscar Piastri over Max Verstappen call

Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri have had one of the cleanest and most cordial world title scraps in a long time, but there are some things where the F1 championship contenders are divided. Heading into this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix, Piastri made the blunt statement all fans have thought for a long time — that the 2025 drivers' championship is now a head-to-head battle between the McLaren pair. However, Norris on Thursday voiced his disagreement to the idea that four-time world champ Max Verstappen is out of contention. The Red Bull ace, who on Friday morning announced he will stay with the energy drink operation through to the end of the 2026 series, has also all-but waived the white flag. Verstappen has fallen 81 points behind series leader Piastri. Red Bull are in a state of flux, after sacking their team principal Christian Horner this month and replacing the Briton with Laurent Mekies, the boss of their 'B' team Racing Bulls. Despite this, Norris says a line can't be put through the Dutch driver's name yet. As reported by Racing News 365, Norris said he wouldn't rule Verstappen out. 'It's never impossible,' Norris said. 'We proved that last year, but he's quite a long way back.' The British racer went on to say: 'We have a team that's a lot more stable and performing a lot better than Red Bull is, but Max is still, quite easily, one of the best drivers ever in Formula 1. 'So, as a driver, I wouldn't rule him out, but we have a better car, we have a better team, so I have my confidence in them that we can, we can stay ahead.' Piastri earlier called it like he saw it. 'I suppose so,' he said when asked if it was a 'two-horse' race for the title, per 'I think every weekend now, or the last few weekends anyway, it's been Lando and I. 'I expect our competition to still be strong and put up a good fight, especially at certain tracks through the rest of the year, but whether that comes from Max or Ferrari or Mercedes or someone else, maybe, we never really know. 'So, I'm not too concerned about what happens in that. I'm just trying to win each race and extend the lead. 'But I think clearly Lando and I are in the same car, which is the best, and he's naturally going to be the closest competition.' McLaren boss Zak Brown this week insisted the team won't be playing favourites and that the championship race will be a 'coin toss' between his two drivers. Piastri has had the upper hand on Norris for the majority of the season, having won six of the first 13 races. The 24-year-old from Melbourne holds a 16-point advantage over his 25-year-old teammate. With McLaren on track to secure their first drivers' championship since 2008, Brown is leaving the championship door open and refusing to back just one of the two. 'I think Oscar was a little disappointed with qualifying in Belgium. Lando was very happy. I'm sure he'll be a little bummed that he didn't win today, but it's coming off two wins. I think it's going to be a coin toss every weekend,' he told Sky Sport following the Belgian Grand Prix. 'Oscar is a machine. And what's impressive is how aggressive he is, and yet he always brings the car home. That's quite a talent.' Brown also said Verstappen could not be ruled out yet. Red Bull is reportedly running an upgraded package this weekend. 'I think it's too early. It's looking good, but Max … there's a lot of racing left to go. We've got a nice gap, but I wouldn't say we're there,' he said. 'We've all been around this sport too long. To start dancing before you're in the end zone is a very dangerous thing to do.'

Maeva Squiban conquers Ambert mountain at Tour de France Femmes stage six
Maeva Squiban conquers Ambert mountain at Tour de France Femmes stage six

ABC News

time17 hours ago

  • ABC News

Maeva Squiban conquers Ambert mountain at Tour de France Femmes stage six

Frenchwoman Maeva Squiban has made a solo ride to the finish line with a perfectly timed attack on the final major climb to win the mountainous stage six of the Tour de France Femmes. Squiban of UAE Team ADQ finished one minute and nine seconds ahead of compatriot Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez) in the first French one-two in the history of the competition. "It's an amazing feeling. I didn't expect to do that," Squiban told reporters after becoming the second French rider to claim a stage in the event after Cedrine Kerbaol took stage six last year. Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ Squiban stayed in the peloton led by yellow jersey holder Kimberley Le Court Pienaar (AG Insurance-Soudal), as mountains classification leader Elise Chabbey (FDJ-Suez) led the arduous 10km climb to Col du Beal. The 23-year-old broke away on the ascent to Col du Chansert and soon built a lead of over a minute and comfortably took the win in the 123.7km ride from Clermont-Ferrand to Ambert. Mauritian Le Court, who won stage five, was the third to cross the finish line as she retained her lead in the general classification. Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (Visma-Lease a Bike), another home favourite, finished seventh in the stage to remain second in the race for the yellow jersey, 26 seconds behind Le Court. Points classification leader Lorena Wiebes (SD Worx-Protime) fell back from the peloton during the first half of the stage and appeared to be content conserving her energy, as she retained the green jersey. The Tour continues with a hilly 159.7km ride from Bourg-en-Bresse to Chambery. Reuters

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store