Pogacar chases quadruple, Thomas bids farewell – 5 Tour de France talking points
A post shared by Tadej Pogačar (@tadejpogacar)
Defending champion Tadej Pogacar is the overwhelming favourite to wear yellow in Paris and move level with Chris Froome on four career titles. And why not? The 26-year-old was outstanding last season, completing the Triple Crown of the Giro, Tour and world title, and has continued to pile up the wins this term. But two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard is ready to resume his now familiar rivalry with the Slovenian confident he is much closer to the form that saw him win in 2022 and 2023 than he was last year, when a devastating crash at the Tour of the Basque Country almost ruled him out of the Tour entirely. With Remco Evenepoel continuing to step forward and Primoz Roglic also racing after the early end of his Giro hopes, there are others who cannot be ignored.
The Philipsen-van der Poel train is back on the #TDF2025 💚
Le train @JasperPhilipsen–@mathieuvdpoel est de retour sur le #TDF2025 🚄 https://t.co/sbfYNT6yHq
— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) July 1, 2025
Predicting the sprint stages looks a difficult task this year. Tim Merlier arrives with the most wins, 10, of any of the quick men, but only one Tour victory to his name in his only previous appearance back in 2021. Difficult terrain means there are few pure sprints, something that might seem to favour Jasper Philipsen, who won three stages last year to take his Tour career tally to nine, but his Soudal Quick-Step team have split priorities as Evenepoel eyes yellow. Tour debutant Jonathan Milan could profit from the more difficult finishes, but the parcours also suits Biniam Girmay, winner of three stages last year.
Geraint Thomas will start cycling's biggest race for the 14th and final time before retirement. His overall victory in 2018 was arguably the finest moment of a career that began with Olympic glory on the track, but his relationship with the Tour is a deeper story. Many fans fondly remember how he rode 20 stages of the 2013 race with a broken pelvis, determined to help Froome to victory at great personal cost. After the retirement of Mark Cavendish last year, the fact Froome has likely ridden his last Tour and the impending retirements of both Thomas and Lizzie Deignan, it feels like the end of an era for British cycling.
After last year's Olympics forced the Tour to swerve the French capital for the first time in race history, the now traditional finish on the Champs-Elysees will return in 2025. Before then a race that takes place entirely within the borders of France will challenge the riders with more than 50,000m of elevation, but also an unusually tricky opening week in the north of the country before the Pyrenees and Alps serve up their usual punishment.
Tour de France- here we come 😁 pic.twitter.com/4M0wtZAVv8
— Lewis Askey (@LewisAskey) June 30, 2025
Eleven Brits are due to start the race, including freshly-minted Giro champion Simon Yates, riding in support in Vingegaard, and twin brother Adam, supporting Pogacar. While Thomas waves goodbye, younger riders like Fred Wright, Oscar Onley and Lewis Askey will seek their breakaway opportunities. Jake Stewart lines up for his second Tour, while Sean Flynn and Joe Blackmore make their debuts. Connor Swift and new British champion Sam Watson, another debutant, join Thomas in the Ineos Grenadiers squad.
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Western Telegraph
32 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Mourners to gather in Portugal for wake of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota
The 28-year-old father of three, who had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso just 11 days ago, died in a car crash in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva after a Lamborghini they were travelling in veered off the road and burst into flames following a suspected tyre blowout. The pair were found dead following the crash on the A-52 in Palacios de Sanabria near the city of Zamora at 12.40am on Thursday. Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the 'sense of shock is absolute' for the club. 'Diogo was not just our player,' he said. 'He was a loved one to all of us. Tributes have been left at Anfield Stadium in memory of Jota (Peter Byrne/PA) 'I could say so much about what he brought to our team but the truth is everyone who watched Diogo play could see it. Hard work, desire, commitment, great quality, goals. 'The essence of what a Liverpool player should be.' Slot said the player 'never sought popularity' but gained it anyway and was a friend to everyone, able to make others feel good about themselves 'just by being with them'. Portugal fans held up tributes to the player (Nick Potts/PA) He said the last time they spoke he wished Jota luck for his upcoming wedding. 'In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this,' Slot added. He recalled learning, when he first came to the club, of the song Liverpool fans sang for Jota and said he knew 'straight away' that meant the player must have 'special qualities'. 'When the time is right, we will celebrate Diogo Jota, we will remember his goals and we will sing his song,' Slot said. 'For the time being, we will remember him as a unique human being and mourn his loss. He will never be forgotten.' The club has opened physical and digital books of condolence in the wake of the deaths, and supporters and members of the public can go to the Anfield Road Stand reception area over the coming days to sign a message. The online book can be found at Flags have been lowered to half-mast at the stadium and all club stores, museums and tours have been closed until Monday, with staff offered wellbeing support. The Portuguese Football Federation also said it was 'devastated' to learn of the deaths, adding: 'Their deaths represent irreparable losses for Portuguese football.' Police said they were investigating the possibility that the Lamborghini left the road because of a tyre blowout while overtaking, and a source from the government sub-delegation in Zamora confirmed 'a possible speeding incident' was being looked at. No other vehicles are said to have been involved in the incident. Pictures of the aftermath of the crash showed debris scattered along the side of the road including what appeared to be charred parts of the vehicle. Liverpool fans started leaving tributes outside Anfield on Thursday morning, with flowers being laid with messages including 'Thanks for everything, Diogo'. Tributes outside Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton (Matthew Cooper/PA) Jota was part of Liverpool's Premier League-winning side in the 2024/25 campaign, scoring six goals in 26 appearances. He joined the Merseyside club from Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2020, winning three major trophies. Portugal national team captain Cristiano Ronaldo said he wishes Jota's family 'all the strength in the world' following the Liverpool forward's death. A translated version of his message on Instagram said: 'Doesn't make any sense. 'Just now we were together in the national team, just now you were married. 'To your family, to your wife and children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world. 'I know you will always be with them. R.I.P. Diogo and Andre. We will all miss you.' The Prince of Wales, patron of the FA, said he was 'deeply saddened' to hear of Jota's death, adding: 'Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew him.' Jota and his wife got together in 2013, it has been reported, and have three children together – two sons and a daughter who was born in November. He frequently shared pictures of himself and his family on his Instagram account, while his wife has posted images of their holidays in Dubai and Lapland. They also have three pet beagles. On Wednesday, Jota and Cardoso, 28, posted video footage of their wedding, with the caption: 'A day we will never forget.'
Scottish Sun
35 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Emma Raducanu turns up to watch men's world number one in Wimbledon practise amid Carlos Alcaraz romance rumours
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMA RADUCANU got ready for her clash with the women's world No 1 — by watching the men's world No 1. And the British underdog — who is 3-1 to shock Aryna Sabalenka on Centre Court today — has vowed to behave aggressively as she fights to stay in Wimbledon. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Emma Raducanu played keepy puppies ahead of her big match Credit: PA 4 She underwent a final session ahead of her clash with Aryna Sabalenka Credit: Getty 4 Raducanu watched Jannik Sinner beat Aleksandar Vukic Credit: PA Raducanu, 22, was doing keepy-uppies with her team at SW19's Aorangi Park training base. And before facing the Belarusian three-time Grand Slam champion, she watched the world's top man, Jannik Sinner, practise ahead of his straight-sets victory over Aleksandar Vukic. British No 1 Raducanu said: 'I'm trying to learn by osmosis. Jannik is so effortless when he hits the ball. 'I have been trying to watch a bit more live when I am away. I watched Joao Fonseca the other day. 'I have just been practising for just an hour and ten minutes. 'I was working on a few things I will need. 'I feel good. I'm doing everything I can on my side. I know over time I'm doing the right things.' Raducanu's 70-minute session started at 3pm and she hit mostly with colleague Adam Jones under the watchful eye of new coach Mark Petchey and good pal Jane O'Donoghue. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 4 Raducanu has been romantically linked to Carlos Alcaraz Credit: PA It was after that hit she went and watched Italian Sinner, sitting on a park bench for about 20 minutes. The Petchey masterplan worked when she impressively knocked out the 2023 Wimbledon champ Marketa Vondrousova on Wednesday evening. Carlos Alcaraz claims he 'will do whatever she wants me to do' in revealing Emma Raducanu interview after Wimbledon win Now, there is nothing to lose, there is no pressure on Raducanu and, in a way, it is a free hit. She has never beaten anyone ranked No 1 in the world — in fact, she has never even won a set. But if she can approach it in the same manner as her victory over Czech star Vondrousova, then maybe she could shake up the entire women's draw. Raducanu added: 'Aryna is No 1 in the world for a reason. 'She has been so dominant in the women's game as of the last few years. 'I know it's going to be a massive challenge. I'm going to have to play some really good tennis. 'I'm going to have to be aggressive but pick my moments and not kind of be overly aggressive. You can fall into that trap, too. 'I don't think I'm going to go out there and out-power her size-wise and power-wise. 'I'm going to have to try to be creative as well. I'm more confident in my own game. 'Having the direction over the last few months built over consistency has really helped.'
South Wales Argus
an hour ago
- South Wales Argus
Friday's briefing: ‘Shocked' Liverpool players pay tribute to Diogo Jota
World champions Spain started their bid for Euro 2025 glory with an impressive 5-0 win over Portugal in Bern, where a minute's silence was held ahead of kick-off. Football pays tribute to Diogo Jota Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insists everyone associated with the club owes it to Diogo Jota to 'stand together and be there for one another'. Slot said the Reds were in 'absolute shock' after the death of the 28-year-old Portugal forward and his brother Andre Silva in Spain in the early hours of Thursday. 'What to say? What can anyone say at a time like this when the shock and the pain is so incredibly raw? I wish I had the words, but I know I do not,' Slot wrote in a personal statement published on the club's website. Arne Slot statement: — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 3, 2025 'All I have are feelings that I know so many people will share about a person and a player we loved dearly and a family we care so much about. 'For us as a club, the sense of shock is absolute. Diogo was not just our player. He was a loved one to all of us. He was a team-mate, a colleague, a workmate and in all of those roles he was very special. 'We need everyone at the club to stand together and to be there for one another. We owe this to Diogo, to Andre Silva, to their wider family and to ourselves.' Tributes were laid at Anfield in memory of Diogo Jota (Peter Byrne/PA) According to BBC Sport, Jota was returning for pre-season training next week via ferry after being advised not to fly following minor surgery. Reds captain Virgil van Dijk said on Instragram he was 'absolutely devastated and in total disbelief.' The Dutch defender wrote in a post alongside a picture of Jota with the Premier League trophy: 'What a human being, what a player, but most importantly what an unbelievable family man. 'You meant so much to all of us and you always will! For your family to lose two sons, a husband and a father is just unimaginable. So cruel and unfair. 'My heart is breaking for all of your beautiful family, for Rute and for your kids. I promise you that in these difficult times and beyond we will always be there for your family. 'A champion forever, number 20 forever. It's been a privilege to have stood by your side on the pitch, and to have been your friend off it. 'We will miss you beyond words and never forget you. Your legacy will live on, we will make sure of it! Rest in perfect peace Diogo & Andre.' Mourners are set to gather to honour Jota at a wake in Portugal on Friday morning, a local parish priest has said. Jose Manuel Macedo, parish priest at the Igreja Matriz de Gondomar in Sao Cosme, told the PA news agency in a translated message that a wake for the brothers will take place at 8am at the nearby Capela da Ressurreicao before their funeral at the Igreja Matriz on Saturday at 10am. Spain impress in Euros opener World champions Spain thrashed Portugal 5-0 in their Euro 2025 Group B opener in Bern, where there was a minute's silence ahead of kick-off in memory of Jota. Players wore black armbands, while some fans had made signs in tribute to the Liverpool forward. Esther Gonzalez fired Spain ahead with barely 90 seconds on the clock before Barcelona teenager Vicky Lopez doubled the lead in the seventh minute. La Roja scored another couple of quickfire goals just before half-time through Alexia Putellas and Gonzalez's tap-in, with substitute Cristina Martin-Prieto then heading home a fifth in stoppage time. In Thursday's other Group B match, Italy beat Belgium 1-0 in Sion through a first-half goal from Arianna Caruso. Jurgen Klopp mourns loss of 'great friend' Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he is struggling to comprehend Jota's death. Klopp, for whom his Christian faith has played a big part in his life, wrote on Instagram: 'This is a moment where I struggle! There must be a bigger purpose! But I can't see it!' The German coach, who signed Jota from Wolves in 2020, added: 'I'm heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. 'Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father.' Não faz sentido. Ainda agora estávamos juntos na Seleção, ainda agora tinhas casado. À tua familia, à tua mulher e aos teus filhos, envio os meus sentimentos e desejo-lhes toda a força do mundo. Sei que estarás sempre com eles. Descansem em Paz, Diogo e André. Vamos todos sentir… — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) July 3, 2025 Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo led the tributes to his international team-mate. 'It doesn't make sense. Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had got married,' Ronaldo said in a post on X alongside a photo of Jota. 'To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.' What's on tomorrow? Working towards our QF clash. 😤 — Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 3, 2025 Chelsea will aim to secure a place in the Club World Cup semi-finals when they come up against Palmeiras in Philadelphia on Friday night (0200 Saturday BST). Saudi side Al-Hilal are out to follow-up their shock win over Manchester City when they take on Fluminense in Orlando. At Euro 2025, England boss Sarina Wiegman will hold a press conference ahead of the holders' opening match against France in Zurich. Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson is also set to speak to the media before the nation's first major tournament appearance, taking on the Netherlands in Lucerne. Elsewhere in Group C, Germany start their campaign against Poland in St Gallen after Denmark tackle Scandinavian rivals Sweden in Geneva.
