Latest news with #Lille
The Australian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Tour de France 2025: Full preview of 10 Australian riders including Ben O'Connor's GC bid
Ten Australians will be on the start line when the Tour de France starts this Saturday in Lille in northern France. Australian-owned Team Jayco AlUla have three Aussies in the mix this year – Ben O'Connor, Luke Plapp and Luke Durbridge. O'Connor notably has top-five general classification ambitions in his first Tour with his new team. He finished 4th in the Tour in 2021 for AG2R and then had a stellar season last year finishing 4th in the Giro and then a courageous second overall in the Vuelta a Espana. But his crowning moment was his brilliant second place to Slovenian champion Tadej Pogacar in the World Road Championship in Switzerland. It will be the first time that Team Jayco AlUla has had an Australian leading its general classification charge since its inception in 2012. O'Connor was quietly confident before the teams presentation on Thursday. 'We have a really versatile team and I've performed well in Grand Tours in the past so I'll do everything I can to get back to the top five, which I've been able to do in all three grand tours,' O'Connor said. Jayco team owner Gerry Ryan is excited at the prospects for his team in this his 14th lap of France. 'There is an amazing vibe that you feel when you rock up to a Tour de France, the excitement is palpable - the party atmosphere that continues on every night with nearly a million raucous fans each day,' he told CODE Sports. Tadej Pogacar and Team UAE teammates in Lille's city centre during the official teams presentation. Picture: AFP 'Cycling is a global sport and all the major events receive serious media attention but the Tour is on another level and it is crucial for our team, riders, staff and most of all - our partners. 'It is the biggest annual sporting event on the planet and the eyes of the world are watching. 'A staggering 750 million watch the Tour live each day which is just mind blowing.' Ryan said Jayco was a well balanced team led by O'Connor, who was capable of getting on the final podium in Paris in three weeks' time. 'The team will be all in for Dylan Groenewegen in stage one,' he said. 'The Dutch sprinter is in great form and it would be a brilliant way to start the tour with the first Maillot Jaune (yellow jersey). 'We also have some realistic opportunities for other stage wins with Luke Plapp and Mauro Schmid.' Ryan said Plapp had recovered well from the Giro d'Italia where his first ever Grand Tour stage win impressed the cycling world. Schmid, like Plapp, is riding his first Tour and a week ago won the Swiss Time Trial and Road Race championships. 'Then we have Luke Durbridge,' Ryan said. 'Durbo is riding his 11th Tour and he is the engine that keeps the team together.' Plapp celebrates his stage win at the 108th Giro d'Italia in May. Picture: Getty Jack Haig is another Australian with the ability to challenge for a top 10 in Paris. The boy from Bendigo, who finished third in the 2021 Vuelta, is capable but his team duties with Bahrain Victorious will make things more difficult. Teammate and fellow Aussie Rob Stannard is making his Tour debut and will be looking to get in a breakaway to reveal his all-round abilities. Nine-time grand tour stage winner Kaden Groves has been named by Alpecin-Deceuninck for his debut TdF. While capable of sprinting to a stage victory, he will be leading out his Belgian teammate Jasper Philipsen who will be chasing green jersey success. Jarrad Drizners is back in action with Lotto. The 26-year-old from Adelaide is riding his second Tour and will be chasing the breakaways. Harry Sweeny (EF Education-EasyPost) is also riding his second tour and will be hoping to improve on his third place in stage 12 in 2021. Callum Scotson, who has ridden many strong Giros and Vueltas for Jayco AlUla, is set to ride his first Tour with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team. And this will be Michael Storer's 10th grand tour and second TdF. Riding for Tudor Pro Cycling, his win in this year's Tour de Alps and 10th in the Giro make him a realistic chance for a top 10 finish. * Former pro cyclist and veteran commentator John Trevorrow is on the ground in France, bringing expert insights and updates on the Aussie riders throughout the Tour for CODE Sports.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Hamza Igamane to Feyenoord 'leak' sparks Robin van Persie rage with Rangers alert to Lille confession
The boss in Rotterdam has been left irked by the murmurs over deals escaping the Feyenoord inner circle Rangers striker Hamza Igamane is on Feyenoord's shopping list - but the latest set of transfer murmurs around the Dutch giants has resulted in fury from boss Robin van Persie. The Scottish Premiership side have stood firm on their £15million valuation of the 22-year-old so far this summer amid ongoing interest from Lille - with Everton, Stade Rennes and Udinese also among the clubs on alert to a deal this summer. The Moroccan international has already agreed personal terms over a move but talks are deadlocked over the valuation of the Ibrox chiefs just a year on from his £1.7m move from AS FAR. But amid fears over a leak inside the Feyenoord camp after interest in Igamane and losing out on the signing of Valentin Gomez to Real Betis, the former Manchester United and Arsenal striker told VI: "What I personally find annoying, and I want to express this, is that quite a lot of things leak at Feyenoord. "I really hope Feyenoord supporters realise this; it hinders potential transfers. Because it simply hinders potential transfers. "That's happened several times now. I'm not saying that every scoop is spot on, because sometimes they're wrong, but it doesn't help the club. "That makes the job very difficult for Dennis te Kloese (technical director) for example. "Suppose we're working on a transfer together, and it leaks out too early, then the Feyenoord supporters who leak it have to take into account that this will have a negative impact on a potential transfer for their club. "That's something I think I hope we'll start thinking about more together. It's a very frustrating factor and it also hinders the process. Sometimes we just need a few days for things to calm down." The interest from the Netherlands comes with Lille playing a waiting game - with president Olivier Letang previously insisting the club were in no rush to deal done. And the bullish supremo has now moved to claim that the club are cash-rich at this stage - and have no need to sell their stars. He told La Voix Du Nord:"Even if nearly €25 million in revenue has vanished in the space of two years from TV we're in a good position. "We're probably going to have the fourth year in a row where we've had the best economic performance, while maintaining sporting momentum "It would take exceptional circumstances for one or two players to leave us; there won't be a fire sale, there's no open door at all. Our best marketing tool is to win matches, and the goal is for the team to remain as competitive as possible." Igamane was missing from the match day squad in the pre-season friendly clash with Middlesbrough after picking up a knock in Tuesday's 2-0 first leg victory over Panathinaikos. But boss Russell Martin is hopeful he will win the fitness race for the return fixture in Athens: "Hamza picked up a little injury on Tuesday night. "He missed a lot of pre-season, and he's been really trying hard to catch up fitness wise. 'He's got himself to a good place and then the other night, the intensity of the game coming on to that is not easy, but he's not going to be out for a long time. He's a big, strong boy and we hope to have him back on Wednesday night."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Man Utd & Man City on alert as Gianluigi Donnarumma's shock PSG exit nears after European champions agree terms with €40m replacement
Donnarumma set to leave PSG Eyeing move for Chevalier from Lille Premier League giants on alert Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? Donnarumma is close to leaving PSG in the summer transfer window. The French giants have initiated transfer talks with Lille after agreeing personal terms with Chevalier as a replacement. They are expected to submit an initial bid worth €40 million (£35m/$47m), according to L'Equipe. THE BIGGER PICTURE PSG have failed to convince Donnarumma to put pen to paper on a fresh contract and he has entered the final 12 months of his current deal. Club officials do not want to go through a similar situation to Kylian Mbappe's when the France captain walked out of the club as a free agent in the summer of 2024 and joined Real Madrid. Thus, PSG will be willing to part ways with the Italian in the coming weeks. DID YOU KNOW? If Donnarumma decides to move back to his homeland then Juventus and Inter are his likely destinations, however, the Italy international reportedly wants a move to the Premier League. WHAT NEXT FOR DONNARUMMA? Several top English clubs like Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are still in search of a quality goalkeeper and could make a move for Donnarumma. It remains to be seen where the 26-year-old ends up.
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Man Utd target signing PSG star with £35m transfer lined up
Manchester United are competing with Manchester City and Juventus to sign Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, according to reports in France. Donnarumma has just finished his fourth season with PSG, helping the club win the French league and cup double as well as the Champions League. However, the Italy international has just a year remaining on his contract with PSG and has failed to reach an agreement over a new deal. According to L'Equipe, PSG have now taken 'concrete steps' to sign Lille goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who is viewed as a long-term successor for Donnarumma. The report adds that Lille will demand a €40 million (£35m) transfer fee for Chevalier, which PSG are happy to pay. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Lille are said to be resigned to losing Chevalier before the end of the summer transfer window, which throws Donnarumma's future at PSG in doubt. Donnarumma, meanwhile, has privately discussed the idea of leaving PSG and has attracted interest from United, City, Juventus and Galatasaray. Speaking earlier this year, Donnarumma made it clear that he wanted to sign a new deal with PSG. More Trending 'There are so many rumours. The truth is that I feel good here and that everyone likes me and holds me in esteem,' the 26-year-old told Sky Italia. 'I am feeling very good, settled and my priority is to extend [my contract] here.' United are in the market for a new goalkeeper due to Andre Onana's inconsistent performances in his two seasons at the club. Ruben Amorim's side have already failed with an attempt to sign Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez on loan. City, meanwhile, are set to re-sign James Trafford for £27m, two years after he left to join Burnley. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Viktor Gyokeres reveals why he rejected Manchester United to join Arsenal MORE: Newcastle United plot move for £50m Chelsea striker to replace Alexander Isak MORE: Everton make surprise £31m offer for Chelsea and Liverpool transfer target
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
PSG See £40M-Rated Aston Villa Target as Ideal Replacement for Man Utd-Linked Star
PSG are dealing with increasing uncertainty in goal, and LOSC Lille's Lucas Chevalier has emerged as a possible long-term solution. The 23-year-old French goalkeeper is drawing strong interest with the summer transfer window in full swing. Gianluigi Donnarumma is still under contract through 2026, but a series of high-profile errors has cast doubt on his future. While he's delivered in big moments—particularly in Champions League clashes with Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal—his overall consistency remains a concern. Despite the ongoing uncertainty, ESPN FC reported that Donnarumma wants to remain in Paris, though Manchester United and Inter Milan are closely monitoring his situation. Will Gianluigi Donnarumma leave PSG?According to L'Équipe, Chevalier could be an option for PSG if Donnarumma doesn't sign a new deal. PSG sporting advisor Luis Campos sees the French goalkeeper as an ideal replacement should the Italian move on. That said, Chevalier is happy at Lille and isn't in a hurry to leave, with a contract extension also still on the table. ESPN recently reported that Aston Villa have reached out to LOSC Lille about a potential move for Chevalier. The Frenchman is considered a possible replacement for Emiliano Martínez, who is exploring a move away from the club. The young goalkeeper impressed last season, particularly in the Champions League, and has been with Lille since the age of 10. Lille are said to be asking for around £40 million. PSG are also keeping an eye on Chevalier and view him as a backup option if they're unable to agree to a contract extension with Donnarumma.
