MONACO (AFP) — Australian Cadel Evans was given cause for both optimism and alarm after the opening stage of the Tour de France which left some of his potential yellow jersey rivals in the race's driving seat.
Evans finished fifth in a technically-demanding time trial won by Swiss Olympic champion Fabian Cancellara who rides with Stuart O'Grady at the Saxo Bank team.
But arguably the most notable result was enjoyed by the Astana team of 2007 champion Alberto Contador and seven-time winner Lance Armstrong, the Kazakh-backed outfit placing four riders in the top ten.
Contador finished second to Cancellara but only 18secs adrift while two-time runner-up Evans stayed in touch with a promising fifth place finish at 23secs behind the Swiss.
Some other Tour contenders, such as Denis Menchov of Russia and defending champion Carlos Sastre, both finished over a minute in arrears.
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Saturday, July 4, 2009
Press hail Williamses after Wimbledon final
LONDON (AFP) — Sunday newspapers did not pretend to be entralled by the Wimbledon ladies' final which saw Serena Williams take her third title after beating her sister Venus.
But despite disappointment that the two-set match had failed to catch light, commentators praised the relentless power and consistency of the pair from the tough Los Angeles neighbourhood of Compton.
"All that saved this Wimbledon final from descending into a tedious monument to the one-paced predictability that grips women's tennis was, as ever, the athletic integrity of the Williams sisters," the Observer said.
The paper said the pair "belong to a generation of programmed baseline bullies... but that does not make the spectacle any easier on the eye."
The Mail on Sunday said the contest had "rarely scaled the heights," adding: "Power they both do well. But subtlety? Not a lot."
But despite disappointment that the two-set match had failed to catch light, commentators praised the relentless power and consistency of the pair from the tough Los Angeles neighbourhood of Compton.
"All that saved this Wimbledon final from descending into a tedious monument to the one-paced predictability that grips women's tennis was, as ever, the athletic integrity of the Williams sisters," the Observer said.
The paper said the pair "belong to a generation of programmed baseline bullies... but that does not make the spectacle any easier on the eye."
The Mail on Sunday said the contest had "rarely scaled the heights," adding: "Power they both do well. But subtlety? Not a lot."
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Toronto Argonaut Arland Bruce fined for Michael Jackson tribute
TORONTO — Arland Bruce might have thought it would be a thriller but the CFL decided it was simply bad.
The league fined the Toronto slotback an undisclosed amount Thursday for his touchdown celebration in the Argos' season-opening win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday. Bruce said he was paying tribute to Michael Jackson. The CFL called it "excessive."
After scoring on a 21-yard pass from Kerry Joseph to put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone.
Bruce said he was simply honouring Jackson's memory by pretending to be buried. The game's referee saw it differently and gave Bruce two objectionable conduct penalties.
"The commissioner has always said he wants the players to have fun, but you can't go over the line," said a CFL spokesman. "It's not always easy to draw that line, but when you remove your equipment to lay down and delay the game, like he did, that's where we draw the line."
The league fined the Toronto slotback an undisclosed amount Thursday for his touchdown celebration in the Argos' season-opening win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Wednesday. Bruce said he was paying tribute to Michael Jackson. The CFL called it "excessive."
After scoring on a 21-yard pass from Kerry Joseph to put Toronto ahead 6-0, Bruce removed his helmet, shoulder pads and uniform top, then laid down in the end zone.
Bruce said he was simply honouring Jackson's memory by pretending to be buried. The game's referee saw it differently and gave Bruce two objectionable conduct penalties.
"The commissioner has always said he wants the players to have fun, but you can't go over the line," said a CFL spokesman. "It's not always easy to draw that line, but when you remove your equipment to lay down and delay the game, like he did, that's where we draw the line."
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
NHL salary cap level nudges higher
NEW YORK (AFP) — Next season's National Hockey League salary cap will be 56.8 million dollars per team, a 100,000-dollar hike from this past season, the league and its players union announced Friday.
The NHL and NHL Players Association collective bargaining agreement calls for a minimum salary level of 40.8 million dollars per team.
Teams had been working under the notion that the salary maximum would rise slightly from last season in making plans ahead of Friday's NHL Draft and with an eye toward free agent signings.
Salary limits have been on the rise since a deal for the system was struck following the complete wipe-out of the 2004-2005 season in a labor dispute. The original limit, 39 million dollars, is now less than the minimum allowed.
The NHL and NHL Players Association collective bargaining agreement calls for a minimum salary level of 40.8 million dollars per team.
Teams had been working under the notion that the salary maximum would rise slightly from last season in making plans ahead of Friday's NHL Draft and with an eye toward free agent signings.
Salary limits have been on the rise since a deal for the system was struck following the complete wipe-out of the 2004-2005 season in a labor dispute. The original limit, 39 million dollars, is now less than the minimum allowed.
Toronto Raptors introduce top draft choice DeMar DeRozan
TORONTO — Despite being a born and raised in sunny southern California, DeMar DeRozan shrugs off any suggestion that he's unprepared for life north of the border.
"I'm not worried about it, I'm pysched," DeRozan said Friday, a day after being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA draft. "It's no problem for me ... I've just got to get some bigger coats and get ready for that."
The Raptors introduced the 19-year-old swingman at a news conference Friday after taking him ninth overall in Thursday's draft.
He averaged 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a game in his only season at the University of Southern California, leading the Trojans to the Pac-10 title and picking up MVP honours for the tournament.
But with just one year at the USC under his belt, it's still unknown how quickly the six-foot-seven, 220-pounder will adapt to the NBA.
"I'm not worried about it, I'm pysched," DeRozan said Friday, a day after being selected by the Toronto Raptors in the NBA draft. "It's no problem for me ... I've just got to get some bigger coats and get ready for that."
The Raptors introduced the 19-year-old swingman at a news conference Friday after taking him ninth overall in Thursday's draft.
He averaged 13.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a game in his only season at the University of Southern California, leading the Trojans to the Pac-10 title and picking up MVP honours for the tournament.
But with just one year at the USC under his belt, it's still unknown how quickly the six-foot-seven, 220-pounder will adapt to the NBA.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Different outdoor game options still being looked at for next season
MONTREAL — There could be as many as three NHL games played outside of traditional venues next season.
The league's competition committee discussed several different scenarios during a wide-ranging meeting on Thursday and left open the possibility for games to be played outdoors in Boston and Calgary, with another being held under the roof at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.
"We are looking at a couple potential additional special events beyond the NBC Winter Classic game," said NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly. "(It's something) that we all collectively think will be very good for the game. We think that they won't dilute the product that we've created."
There are a number of logistical issues still to be worked out.
The Habs are hoping to host their game in November or December to coincide with the end of their centennial celebrations while the Boston Bruins will play theirs at Fenway Park in the traditional Winter Classic spot on New Year's Day.
The league's competition committee discussed several different scenarios during a wide-ranging meeting on Thursday and left open the possibility for games to be played outdoors in Boston and Calgary, with another being held under the roof at Montreal's Olympic Stadium.
"We are looking at a couple potential additional special events beyond the NBC Winter Classic game," said NHLPA executive director Paul Kelly. "(It's something) that we all collectively think will be very good for the game. We think that they won't dilute the product that we've created."
There are a number of logistical issues still to be worked out.
The Habs are hoping to host their game in November or December to coincide with the end of their centennial celebrations while the Boston Bruins will play theirs at Fenway Park in the traditional Winter Classic spot on New Year's Day.
Review: It's 'Fight Night Round 4' by a knockout
A boxing game looking to draw players the into the ring needs to make sure they feel in complete control of the fighter's movements while providing graphics that live up to our ever increasing high-def expectations.
EA Sports scores on both with "Fight Night Round 4" ($59.99, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3), the new undisputed champion of the genre.
Whether you're pitting George Foreman against Muhammad Ali for a "Rumble in the Jungle" rematch or seeing how Mike Tyson would stand up to Joe Frazier, you're battling with legends who look and act just like they did in their primes.
Chasing the elusive Ali around the ring can be just plain exhausting, while a single left hook by Frazier could be the beginning of the end.
EA Sports scores on both with "Fight Night Round 4" ($59.99, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3), the new undisputed champion of the genre.
Whether you're pitting George Foreman against Muhammad Ali for a "Rumble in the Jungle" rematch or seeing how Mike Tyson would stand up to Joe Frazier, you're battling with legends who look and act just like they did in their primes.
Chasing the elusive Ali around the ring can be just plain exhausting, while a single left hook by Frazier could be the beginning of the end.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Scutaro, Rolen and Barajas homer for Blue Jays
TORONTO (AP) — Marco Scutaro hit a two-run homer, Scott Rolen and Rod Barajas each added solo shots and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-5 on Tuesday night.
Pitching on three days' rest, Toronto left-hander Brian Tallet (5-4) matched a season-high with seven strikeouts in six shutout innings. He allowed three hits and walked one.
Jason Frasor closed it out in the ninth for his second save in four chances.
The Reds (34-35) lost their third straight and fell below .500 for the first time since April 12, when they were 2-3.
Rolen opened the scoring with a homer to center in the second, his fifth.
One out later, Alex Rios singled, then stole second and third before scoring on Barajas' fielder's choice grounder.
Aaron Hill doubled and scored on Adam Lind's single in the third, and Barajas hit a one-out homer to left in the fourth, his seventh.
Pitching on three days' rest, Toronto left-hander Brian Tallet (5-4) matched a season-high with seven strikeouts in six shutout innings. He allowed three hits and walked one.
Jason Frasor closed it out in the ninth for his second save in four chances.
The Reds (34-35) lost their third straight and fell below .500 for the first time since April 12, when they were 2-3.
Rolen opened the scoring with a homer to center in the second, his fifth.
One out later, Alex Rios singled, then stole second and third before scoring on Barajas' fielder's choice grounder.
Aaron Hill doubled and scored on Adam Lind's single in the third, and Barajas hit a one-out homer to left in the fourth, his seventh.
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