Latest news with #sprint
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Giro d'Italia Stage 21 preview: Sprinters set for final battle in Rome as Simon Yates seals pink jersey
Today marks the end of the 2025 Giro d'Italia, a thrilling and often surprising edition that will end with Simon Yates donning the maglia rosa and lifting one of cycling's most beautiful trophies. Before that, though, the GC teams get to pootle through Rome and watch the sprinters do battle for one last time. With just 600m of elevation gain, this 143km stage is a day for the pure fast men, albeit with one late twist. Advertisement Stage 21 starts in the Vatican City to pay homage to the late Pope Francis, before heading out through the Eur business district towards the coast and returning to the stage start via Ostia. That's essentially a detour before the riders head onto the city centre circuit that will decide the winner of the final sprint: eight laps of a 9.5km course through the Italian capital, complete with urban furniture, some technical corners, and brief cobbled sectors, known as sanpietrini, to break up the city roads. Heading onto the final straight, it's classic sprint finish territory, but with a twist that could make it the perfect homecoming for Mads Pedersen, runaway winner of the maglia ciclamino and already with four stage wins under his belt. The road pitches up partway through the last kilometre, with a 5% section with around 250m to go, potentially setting up a perfect end to the Dane's Giro d'Italia as he has looked utterly superb on uphill sprints throughout the past three weeks. Advertisement But the final day of a Grand Tour can always spring a surprise - see Jordi Meeus' totally unexpected win on the Champs-Elysees in 2023, ahead of Jasper Philipsen - and there are plenty of sprinters' teams without a win who will be desperate to at long last make their mark in this corsa rosa. Expect chaos, champagne for the winners, and plenty of custom all-pink gear to admire en route to Rome. Route map and profile Giro d'Italia – stage 21 map ( Giro d'Italia – stage 21 profile ( Start time A later start time today: 3.05pm local time (2.05pm BST) - and a later finish too: 6.45pm local time (5.45pm BST). Prediction Stage 18 ended in a surprise win for the breakaway but today is one for the pure fast men, with the sprinters' teams gearing up for one last lead-out. Olav Kooij, Mads Pedersen and Kaden Groves are the strongest of the sprinters left in the race, each with a win (four in Pedersen's case) already to their name. We're backing Olav Kooij to seal the honours on the final day of what has been a mesmerising Giro, with the terrain suiting him more than the punchier figure of Pedersen - who may simply sit back and enjoy some champagne, with the points classification sewn up.
The Independent
2 days ago
- General
- The Independent
Giro d'Italia Stage 21 preview: Sprinters set for final battle in Rome as Simon Yates seals pink jersey
Today marks the end of the 2025 Giro d'Italia, a thrilling and often surprising edition that will end with Simon Yates donning the maglia rosa and lifting one of cycling's most beautiful trophies. Before that, though, the GC teams get to pootle through Rome and watch the sprinters do battle for one last time. With just 600m of elevation gain, this 143km stage is a day for the pure fast men, albeit with one late twist. Stage 21 starts in the Vatican City to pay homage to the late Pope Francis, before heading out through the Eur business district towards the coast and returning to the stage start via Ostia. That's essentially a detour before the riders head onto the city centre circuit that will decide the winner of the final sprint: eight laps of a 9.5km course through the Italian capital, complete with urban furniture, some technical corners, and brief cobbled sectors, known as sanpietrini, to break up the city roads. Heading onto the final straight, it's classic sprint finish territory, but with a twist that could make it the perfect homecoming for Mads Pedersen, runaway winner of the maglia ciclamino and already with four stage wins under his belt. The road pitches up partway through the last kilometre, with a 5% section with around 250m to go, potentially setting up a perfect end to the Dane's Giro d'Italia as he has looked utterly superb on uphill sprints throughout the past three weeks. But the final day of a Grand Tour can always spring a surprise - see Jordi Meeus' totally unexpected win on the Champs-Elysees in 2023, ahead of Jasper Philipsen - and there are plenty of sprinters' teams without a win who will be desperate to at long last make their mark in this corsa rosa. Expect chaos, champagne for the winners, and plenty of custom all-pink gear to admire en route to Rome. Route map and profile Start time A later start time today: 3.05pm local time (2.05pm BST) - and a later finish too: 6.45pm local time (5.45pm BST). Prediction Stage 18 ended in a surprise win for the breakaway but today is one for the pure fast men, with the sprinters' teams gearing up for one last lead-out. Olav Kooij, Mads Pedersen and Kaden Groves are the strongest of the sprinters left in the race, each with a win (four in Pedersen's case) already to their name. We're backing Olav Kooij to seal the honours on the final day of what has been a mesmerising Giro, with the terrain suiting him more than the punchier figure of Pedersen - who may simply sit back and enjoy some champagne, with the points classification sewn up.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Aussie sprint superstar secures big win over his rival Gout Gout as Queenslander joins one of the sport's most exclusive clubs
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy has joined one of Australian sport's most exclusive clubs as just the second Aussie to legally better the 10-second barrier for the 100m. Competing at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday night (Sunday AEST), Kennedy claimed the win against a strong field, stopping the clock at 9.98 seconds with the aid of a slight 0.7m tailwind. Teen sensation Gout Gout and Rohan Browning have also recently threatened to go sub-10 on multiple occasions, but it's the 21-year-old Kennedy who has reached the magic milestone first. The only other Australian to achieve the celebrated feat was national record holder Patrick Johnson, who ran a sizzling 9.93 in Mito, Japan in 2003. Previously, Gout has run a wind-assisted sub-10-second 100m race. Kennedy, though, is the first to do so legally. 'I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super-stoked to get the win and the time,' Kennedy said. 'It's so good. I can finally say I have run nine! 'I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually.' Kennedy relegated Paris Olympics relay silver medallist Bayanda Walaza from South Africa (10.03) and hometown hero Ferdinand Omanyala (10.07) to the minor placings. 'The crowd was nuts out there. I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today,' Kennedy said. 'I didn't think a nine was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal.' Kennedy first shot to international prominence when he pocketed silver in the 60m at the World Indoors in China in March. The main target for him and his friendly rival and fellow Queenslander Gout this year is the world championships in Tokyo in September. 'I'm getting better with every race,' said Kennedy. 'It's an advantage to have a long season at home. 'I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the world championships.' Kennedy and Gout are both scheduled to race the 200m in the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike Mett in the Czech Republic on June 24.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Sprint sensation Lachie Kennedy breaks magical 10-second barrier for 100m
Sprint sensation Lachie Kennedy has joined one of the sport's most exclusive clubs as just the second Australian to legally better the 10-second barrier for the 100m. Competing at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi on Saturday night (Sunday AEST), Kennedy claimed the win against a strong field, stopping the clock at 9.98 seconds with the aid of a slight 0.7m tailwind. Teen sensation Gout Gout and Rohan Browning have also recently threatened to go sub-10 on multiple occasions, but it's the 21-year-old Kennedy who has reached the magic milestone first. How about that ‼️🇦🇺's Lachlan Kennedy rules at the @KipKeinoClassic 🔥 9.98 PB to win the 100m and move up to 2nd on the Australian all-time list 👏 #ContinentalTourGold The only other Australian to achieve the celebrated feat was national record holder Patrick Johnson, who ran a sizzling 9.93 in Mito, Japan in 2003. 'I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super-stoked to get the win and the time,' Kennedy said. 'It's so good. I can finally say I have run nine. 'I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually.' Kennedy relegated Paris Olympics relay silver medallist Bayanda Walaza from South Africa (10.03) and hometown hero Ferdinand Omanyala (10.07) to the minor placings. 'The crowd was nuts out there,' Kennedy said. 'I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today. 'I didn't think a nine was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal.' Kennedy first shot to international prominence when he pocketed silver in the 60m at the World Indoors in China in March. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion The main target for him and his friendly rival and fellow Queenslander Gout this year is the world championships in Tokyo in September. 'I'm getting better with every race,' said Kennedy. 'It's an advantage to have a long season at home. 'I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the world championships.' Kennedy and Gout are both scheduled to race the 200m in the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike Mett in the Czech Republic on 24 June.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy breaks 100m 10-second barrier with blistering run
Aussie sprint sensation Lachlan Kennedy etched his name in the history books after becoming only the second Australian to run under the 10 second mark in a 100m race. Kennedy, 21, ran 9.98-seconds in the Men's 100m at the Kip Keino Classic in Nairobi, Kenya overnight - becoming the first Aussie to manage the feat since Patrick Johnson in 2003. 'As soon as I saw the 9.98 I was thrilled, the feeling was so surreal. I couldn't believe it,' Kennedy said. 'I was there to win today and bring it home, and I am super stoked to get the win and the time. 'It's so good. I can finally say I run 9! I haven't wanted to rush it or put the pressure on myself, I take every race as it comes and I knew it would come eventually. 'I've got a good coach (Andrew Iselin), good training partners — shoutout to Calab Law — and a good S&C (strength and conditioning) and team around me. How about that ‼️ 🇦🇺's Lachlan Kennedy rules at the @KipKeinoClassic 🔥 9.98 PB to win the 100m and move up to 2nd on the Australian all-time list 👏 #ContinentalTourGold — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) May 31, 2025 'It's been about trusting the process.' Kennedy's exciting breakthrough has sent shockwaves through Aussie athletics, with former stars posting about the run. 'Enormous,' posted Matt Shirvington on Instagram. Yes yes yes,' wrote Sally Pearson. Kennedy is part of a group of young sprinters, that includes schoolboy star Gout Gout, who have been chasing the 10 second mark. Kennedy wasn't bothered by a false start during his historic race. 'I think there was early movement from someone in the first part of the race, but it actually did me good. It settled the nerves so I was pretty confident out there today,' he revealed. 'I didn't think a nine was realistic until a couple of years ago. When I was still playing rugby but starting to train and realising I had some speed, I made it the goal. 'I'm getting better with every race. It's an advantage to have a long season at home. I'm not getting tired, so I'm looking forward to seeing what I can achieve later in the year as we get closer to the World Championships.'
