Rory McIlroy switches focus to being at top form for Ryder Cup
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Milan avoids crash to strengthen grip on Tour de France green jersey
PA Media/DPA Paris Jonathan Milan avoided a late crash in Valence to sprint to his second victory of this year's Tour de France and strengthen his grip on the green jersey while Tadej Pogacar stayed safe in yellow. Several riders went down in wet, slippery conditions entering the last kilometre of the 160km stage from Bollene, blocking the road and leaving less than a dozen riders to contest the sprint. From their number, it was no surprise to see the in-form Milan hold off a late charge from Jordi Meeus. It was a victory Milan needed in the fight for the points leader's green jersey as his advantage over Pogacar at the start of the day was 11 points, and given this could prove to be the last chance for the sprinters with the Montmartre climb added to Sunday's final stage into Paris. The late crash meant that general classification times were neutralized for those in the front group, allowing Pogacar to roll home still four minutes and 15 seconds clear of Jonas Vingegaard going into two big stages in the Alps. Biniam Girmay was among the sprinters caught in the crash and the Eritrean looked in some discomfort after receiving treatment. Tim Merlier did not go down but was held up, unable to contest the sprint. 'I'm really happy, I'm without words,' said Milan, who credited his Lidl-Trek team-mates after getting through Tuesday's stage to Mont Ventoux. 'I didn't survive alone, it's always with the help of team-mates. Without all of this, I already would not be here ... 'They also helped me when I was dropped on the first climb and then on the second climb did a really good pace. 'It was a difficult final because of the weather and the roundabouts, I was a bit scared but they helped me and this is really fantastic, it's really a team victory.' In a Tour which has offered relatively few sprint opportunities, the fast men knew they needed to take this one, and particularly Milan, given the criticism directed at his team after they failed to fight for the points at Tuesday's intermediate sprint before Ventoux. Milan was dropped by the peloton on the first of two categorised climbs on this stage which had left open the possibility of a breakaway prospering here. But he recovered with the help of team-mate Quinn Simmons, who then put in another big turn to help reel in a four-man group up the road. The last of those escapees, Jonas Abrahamsen, was reeled in 4km from the finish but by then rain was falling heavily, creating the treacherous conditions that led to the crash which effectively blocked the road under the flamme rouge. Milan's points lead ballooned to 72 points, but he will still need to target the intermediate sprints in the mountains to be sure of holding off Pogacar, who has a narrow opportunity to become the first man to win all three major classifications at a Tour since Eddy Merckx in 1969.
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Liverpool complete signing of striker Ekitike from Frankfurt
PA Media/dpa London Liverpool have completed the signing of striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt. A deal was reached between the two clubs on Monday for the 23-year-old to join Arne Slot's Premier League champions, which the PA news agency understands to be for a guaranteed £69 million ($93 million) plus a potential £10 million in add-ons. The French striker, who scored 22 goals for Frankfurt in all competitions last season, flew to England on Tuesday to undergo a medical ahead of the deal's completion and will now travel to Asia to join his new Liverpool team-mates on their pre-season tour. PA understands Newcastle and Manchester United had been interested in Ekitike, whose capture continues Liverpool's close season spending spree. Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen in an initial £100 million deal that could rise to £116 million, while Jeremie Frimpong also joined from the German club in a £29.5 million switch and Milos Kerkez left Bournemouth for £40 million. Giorgi Mamardashvili has also linked up with Liverpool after agreeing a move from Valencia last August, along with fellow goalkeepers Armin Pecsi and Freddie Woodman.
Qatar Tribune
18 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Rumours swirl over Max deal as Mercedes ready 2026 team
DPA Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) Speculation over a move by Formula One world champion Max Verstappen from Red Bull to Mercedes for next season has hit overdrive with the Silver Arrows all but ready to announce their 2026 line-up. 'We as a team will know how we want to play it next year. When we announce it is not yet entirely certain,' Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff told Austrian broadcaster ORF on Wednesday ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix. However, Wolff then appeared to dampen the speculation when he said: 'We want to continue with George and Kimi, that is the absolute priority.' Some media though think Kimi Antonelli could revert to being reserve driver, with George Russell keeping his seat alongside Verstappen. 'It's not just about the team making a decision. The drivers also need to know where they stand,' said Wolff. The 27-year-old Verstappen, a four-times world champion, appears to be dissatisfied at Red Bull this term having lost ground to championship leaders Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in the McLarens. However, the Dutchman still has a valid contract with Red Bull until 2028 and team boss Christian Horner, seen by many to have had a frosty relationship with Verstappen, was recently sacked. 'Of course, you can't overlook someone like Max and the plans he has for the future,' added Wolff cryptically.
