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ABC News
11 hours ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Sarah Gigante set to star as Tour de France Femmes heads to the mountains
The Tour de France Femmes is well and truly underway, with four of the race's nine stages already done and dusted. Those flat stages were the preserve of the fast women: Marianne Vos. Lorena Wiebes. Kim Le Court Pienaar — sprinters and rouleurs having their fun before the real work begins in the mountains and hills of the east. Now, as the race continues its migration across France, the roads begin to climb. The Massif Central looms and then, the Alps. It is time for the mountain goats to flex their climbing muscles. Australian Sarah Gigante has rightly been looking forward to the mountains. The 24-year-old Victorian is fresh off finishing third overall and winning the mountains jersey at the Giro d'Italia Donne — only the second Aussie after Amanda Spratt in 2018 to win the maglia azzurra. She won two stages in that race — the two most mountainous ones, at that. In fact, had Gigante not been caught out on a crosswind-affected sixth stage and lost almost 2 minutes overall, she may well have been hailed as Australia's first women's grand tour champion. What was all the more incredible was it came after Gigante spent six months out following major surgery. "Last December, I had a major surgery, basically to unkink and remove some scar tissue from my iliac artery, which was really a big surgery," Gigante told ABC Sport. The Victorian rider required the operation due to a thinning of the artery that transports blood down to her right leg, resulting in numbness and pain. It is increasingly common in endurance athletes, particularly cyclists, due to the constant flexing of the hip. "I've had quite a lot of operations in the past for broken bones but that's quite standard for cyclists, whereas this was more risky coming back from and took a long time," Gigante said. "It was a super cool feeling just to be on the start line again [at the Giro] and racing against the world's best. "To have a breakout week was just beyond all my dreams." Gigante is not wrong about requiring a frequent flyer card for her local operating theatre. As well as multiple broken bones, she had previously required treatment for myopericarditis, an enlargement of the lining of the heart, in 2021. Gigante is already an incredibly high achiever. She graduated from the University of Melbourne with a double degree in geography and linguistics as a Chancellor's Scholar off the back of an incredible 99.95 ATAR score. The year after, Gigante burst onto the road cycling scene by claiming the Australian road race title as an 18-year-old. But, successful Giro aside, her primary focus at the Tour Gigante has been to help AG Insurance-Soudal team leader Kim le Court-Pienaar, to an impressive degree of success so far. Le Court finished second on stage one and third in stage two, which was enough for the Mauritian to take the yellow jersey for a single day. She currently sits third overall, 12 seconds behind Dutch legend Vos. So now, with the road starting to point upwards, is the former Australian national champion looking at her own goals? "I don't think my goals have changed," Gigante said, prior to the race getting started. "But I do feel that I have both more confidence and less pressure at the same time, which is a really nice feeling." The first four stages have not been exactly flat, with an average elevation gain of 1,179 metres on each stage. But Wednesday's fifth stage sees a leap to 1,843m elevation gain in 165.8km of racing on the road from Futuroscope to Guéret, the majority of which takes place in the final 60km. From that point on, the road gets steeper and more mountainous, culminating with a colossal eighth stage on Saturday night, where the peloton will climb 3,600m in just 111.9km of racing, finishing on the legendary Col de la Madeleine. There is then another 3,000m climbing day on Sunday featuring the Col de Joux Plane and Col du Corbier before an uphill finish to Châtel les Portes du Soleil on the Swiss border. "It's a back-ended course design," Gigante said. "The week starts with five rolling and punchy, shorter, sprintier stages, which suit Kim really well," Gigante said, "They don't suit me well. "I just have to try to get through and, if I can limit time loss on the general classification for myself as well, that will be a helpful bonus coming into the hillier and harder stages. "If I am still up there in the overall classification, I think we will have two cards to play." Job done. Gigante sits in 19th place overall after the fourth stage, just 51 seconds behind race leader Marianne Vos. More pressingly, she is just 29 seconds behind defending champion Katarzyna Niewiadoma and 26 seconds behind overall favourite Demi Vollering. In other words, well within striking distance of the race lead. And on roads well suited to the young Australian, who excels when the gradient gets steep enough for the air to be filled with the burning smell of clutches as support vehicles struggle to keep up. "I like them more," Gigante said of the mountain stages. "They're so challenging and when the going gets tough, the tough get going, that's what I like to think. "When the bunch gets smaller and smaller and people are dropping off, everyone's legs are dying and you can hear the panting around you, that's when I really love it. "You just learn to tune out … you're also embracing the pain, your legs are burning, your lungs are on fire, you're hopefully dropping others… "It's a time when I can put the hurt on others. If I want to make it faster and that's my job, I can do it, which is a good feeling, being able to drop the other riders. "But," Gigante adds, "they can drop me and smash me on the sprintier stages". No Aussie has won the Tour de France Femmes in its short three-year history, with Elizabeth Hepple's third place in the 1989 Tour de France Féminin the nation's only podium finisher in a Tour de France-affiliated stage race. In that 1984–1993 race, no Aussie won a stage, either, although in the Grande Boucle Féminine Internationale, a race unaffiliated with the Tour de France held between 1994 and 2009, Emma Rickards (2), Lynn Nixon (1), Juanita Feldhahn (1) and Anna Millward (1) all recorded stage wins. Additionally, Chloe Hosking won the 2016 edition of the one-day race La Course by Le Tour de France. Neither has an Aussie walked away with the famed polka dot jersey for the best climber at the Tour, but it is entirely possible that Gigante could break that jersey duck. The Tour de France Femmes is considered one of women's cycling's grand tours, but in truth the one-week stage race bears little resemblance to the three weeks of torment the riders go through in the three men's grand tours. Those three races, the Tour de France, Vuelta a España and Giro d'Italia, are the only stage races that last longer than a week on the men's tour. The Women's equivalents, although growing, are still just a week long, similar to other stage races such as the Tour Down Under. That is not from a lack of want, though, with Gigante keen for a longer race for the women. "For sure," Gigante said when asked if she wanted the race to be longer than just a week. "I'd like longer stages, hillier stages, more stages … The harder the better. "This is my second Tour de France, I raced last year [finishing seventh overall], and it's one day longer [this year]. "Especially, the diesel engine that I am, I think a longer tour would suit me better. "But also I think it's what the fans are wanting. "Last year was so exciting, there was only 4 seconds separating first and second overall at the end of the eight days. I don't expect it to be as close this year. But I do think it will be a really fierce battle. "Even with the Giro, it wasn't really televised in Australia, but the mount of media and the number of people messaging me or commenting on Instagram was insane, and that's the Giro, not the Tour. "I think the fanbase is really increasing for women's cycling. The riders are ready for it."
ABC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
What time does the British and Irish Lions vs Wallabies match kick off? How can I watch it?
The Wallabies must win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday night to keep their Test series against the British and Irish Lions alive. After falling to the Lions 27-19 at Lang Park, the Wallabies will be hoping a historically good record against the visitors in Melbourne will force the series to a decider. Here is what you need to know about the second Test between the Wallabies and the British and Irish Lions. The second Test is on Saturday night at the MCG in Melbourne. Here are the kick-off times for each state and territory, as well as the UK, Ireland, and the other SANZAAR rugby nations: In Australia, broadcaster Channel Nine will show the second Test match on free-to-air. The match will also be streamed online through the Nine Network's 9Now. Nine's streaming platform, Stan Sport, will also be broadcasting the match live. Here are the host broadcasters in other parts of the world: You can follow the action on ABC Sport through the live blog, online commentary, and the ABC Listen app. The British and Irish Lions claimed a 1-0 lead in the series with a 27-19 win last Saturday at Lang Park. The tourists were well on top for most of the match, and threatened to win by a big margin when they led 24-5 early in the second half. But the Wallabies showed plenty of grit and determination in front of 52,229 fans. The hosts clawed their way back into the contest in the second half to reduce the margin to just eight points. Despite the Lions dominating most of the match, both teams scored three tries each, with goal kicking proving the difference in the match. The Wallabies and Lions have played each other twice in Melbourne, and the home side has a perfect record. The Wallabies have won both Test matches they have played against the Lions in the Victorian capital. Both Tests in Melbourne, in 2001 and 2013, were the second matches in the series when the Lions had won the week prior in Brisbane. In 2001, the Wallabies produced a second-half blitz to overrun the Lions and claim a 35-14 win at Docklands Stadium. That 21-point margin is the largest victory the Wallabies have ever achieved over the Lions. In 2013, the Wallabies triumphed at Docklands Stadium in a 16-15 nail-biter. Welshman Leigh Halfpenny had a kick after the siren from beyond 50 metres to win the match for the Lions, but the attempt came up short. The context for the 2025 Test is different to the previous two tours, with the match being played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The British and Irish Lions are an international representative rugby team, with the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales being eligible for selection. The first tour, although unsanctioned, was in 1888 with players representing the British Isles playing matches in Australia and New Zealand. The Lions have regularly toured Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The Lions did not play against the Wallabies between 1966 and 1989, however, they did play against Queensland and New South Wales during their tour of New Zealand in 1971. The 1989 Lions tour of Australia began the current four-year cycle of Lions tours to the southern hemisphere. The Lions rotate between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, meaning they only tour each of these nations once every 12 years. The British and Irish Lions were last on Australian shores in 2013, where they claimed a memorable 2-1 Test series win. The opening two Tests of the series were nail-biters, going down to the final play. The Lions triumphed in Brisbane 23-21, then the Wallabies were victorious in Melbourne, 16-15. In both matches, the losing side had a penalty kick at full-time to win the match, but missed. The third Test threatened to again go down to the wire, with the Lions holding a 19-16 lead early in the second half. But the tourists scored three tries in the final 23 minutes to earn a commanding 41-16 win, and claim the series. Since their first official Test match in 1899, Australia and the British and Irish Lions have faced each other in 23 Test matches. The Wallabies have managed to defeat the Lions six times. Australia was victorious in the maiden encounter in 1899, a 13-3 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was also Australia's first Test match win in rugby. The Lions would go on to win the next three Tests in 1899, claiming a 3-1 series win. Australia would have to wait until 1930 before their second Test win against the Lions, a 6-5 triumph at the Sydney Cricket Ground. That was the only Test match against Australia played on the 1930 Lions' tour, meaning Australia had achieved their first of two series wins. The modern 12-year cycle of Lions tours began in 1989, and the Wallabies achieved their first Test win over the Lions in 49 years. World champions at the time, the Wallabies defeated the Lions in the first Test 30-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium. The Lions recovered to win the following two Tests and win the series. Australia's only multi-match series win came in 2001. After losing the first Test at the Gabba, the Wallabies recovered to defeat the Lions at Docklands Stadium in Melbourne, 35-14. The 21-point margin is Australia's largest win over the Lions. The Wallabies won the series with a famous 29-23 victory at Stadium Australia in front of 84,188 fans. Australia's last win over the Lions was during the second Test in 2013.
ABC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- ABC News
Spain sets sight on England in pursuit of elusive UEFA Women's Championship
Spain's remarkable run in international competitions could reach another high on Monday morning AEST when it takes on England in the UEFA Women's Championship final in Basel. The Spanish are playing in their first European decider in only their fifth appearance at the tournament. The reigning world and Nations League champions will be looking for a repeat of their 1-0 defeat of England in the 2023 World Cup final in Sydney. They qualified for the Euro 2025 final by defeating Germany 1-0 via an extra-time goal to Aitana Bonmatí in the semifinals. "Now we'll start looking at England more closely," Spain coach Montse Torme said. "Although, our analysts have already been watching them live and studying their performance in this Euro [tournament]. "We're going to dive deeper into their game, and we're going all-in." For all its dominance in recent years, Spain is still a relative newcomer at the top table in women's football. Spain's only previous visit to the Euro semifinals was in 1997. Quarterfinal exits came in the 2013, 2017 and 2022 tournaments. ABC Sport will be live blogging the UEFA Women's Championship final on Monday morning AEST. England needed extra time to snatch a 2-1 win over Italy in their semifinal on Wednesday AEST. The Lionesses are defending champions, having won the 2022 Euros on home soil. Reuters/ABC
The Hindu
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Gout Gout at Commonwealth Games 2026: Australia's sprint sensation confirms plans for Glasgow CWG
Australia's teenage sprint sensation Gout Gout is set to to take part in the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It was expected for Gout to prioritise the World Junior Athletics Championship in the United States (August 5-9), with the CWG running from July 23 to August 2. But it has been understood that the 17-year-old will plug in a race in Glasgow, ahead of the junior worlds. 'We need to wait for the full Commonwealth Games program to be released, but yes, we are planning that Gout will be available to run at an event in Glasgow before going on to the World Juniors in Eugene,' said Gout's manager James Templeton to Gout's move was welcomed by Australia's Glasgow 2026 chef de mission, Petria Thomas. 'It's very exciting when our best athletes publicly announce their intention to be at the Games. There is of course qualification processes that all of our athletes will need to go through, a lot can happen in the year leading into a Games,' Thomas told ABC Sport. Gout has been touted to be the next big thing in global athletics. He recently broke the Australian senior record in 200m and claimed the under-23 title in the same distance at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Australian teen sensation Gout Gout to run in 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Eight months after he broke Peter Norman's 56-year-old Australian record of 20.06 seconds in men's 200m, 17-year-old Australian teen sensation Gout Gout has announced that he will run in next year's Glasgow Commonwealth Games. The Australian athlete had ran his personal best in men's 200m with a timing of 20.02 seconds sin the Ostrava Golden Spike Meet in Czech Republic last month and is now expected to run in 100m event in Glasgow with a possibility of running in 200m event too. Gout Gout will also be competing in the world junior championships in the USA starting August 5 with the Glasgow Commonwealth Games happening from July 23 to August 2 next year. 'We need to wait for the full Commonwealth Games program to be released, but yes we are planning that Gout will be available to run an event in Glasgow before going onto the World Juniors in Eugene,' Gout's manager James Templeton told Code Sports. In December last year, Gout had become the second fastest U18 sprinter in men's 200m with US athlete Erriyon Knighton being the fastest U18 200 m runner with a U18 world record time of 19.84 seconds set in 2021 at the age of 17 years, with his timing of 20.04 seconds in the Australian All Schools Championship in Brisbane breaking Norman's record of 20.06 seconds made in his silver medal winning feat in 1968 Olympics. Track legend Usain Bolt had run 200m with a timing of 20.13 seconds as a 16-year-old in 2003 and also holds the all-time world record of 19.19 seconds made during the 2009 World Championships. While Bolt never competed in an individual race in Commonwealth Games, the Jamaican legend was part of Jamaica's gold medal winning 4X100m men's relay team in 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. 'It's very exciting when our best athletes publicly announce their intention to be at the Games. There is of course qualification processes that all of our athletes will need to go through, a lot can happen in the year leading into a Games. It's really exciting that the athletes are saying they want to compete in the Games and we're looking forward to having our best athletes possible on our team ready to go in a year's time. There is of course qualification processes that all of our athletes will need to go through, a lot can happen in the year leading into a Games. It's really exciting that the athletes are saying they want to compete in the Games and we're looking forward to having our best athletes possible on our team ready to go in a year's time.' Petria Thomas, Australia's Glasgow 2026 chef de mission, told ABC Sport. The 17-year-old Gout was born in Ipswich in Queensland with his parents being South Sudanese immigrants, who moved to Australia in 2005. The teen sensation, who will be competing in the World Championships later this year, will also hope to emulate Bolt, who won the 200m title in world junior championships in 2002, in the world juniors in USA post Commonwealth Games. He had also talked about comparisons with Bolt after he came up with his best timing of 20.02 seconds at Ostrava. Back in 2006, Bolt had made his European debut winning the gold in Ostrava with a timing of 20.28m before he went to break world records and won three Olympic 200m golds along with other Olympic titles. I feel good. New personal best, new national record in my first European race. I don't feel any pressure. Because as soon as I step out on that track, it's just me by myself and what I've got to do – my favourite thing, and that's to run. So, I just go out there and run and nothing stops me from doing that … Get some more races in me and (the 20-second barrier) will drop for sure.' Gout told reporters after winning the title in Ostrava.
