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Peninsula Clarion, Friday, July 18, 2014
B-3
Nibali says doping theme belongs to past JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press
SAINT-ETIENNE, France — Because of doping’s ravages on cycling, it’s natural for suspicion to fall on Vincenzo Nibali, who led the Tour de France on Thursday for a 10th time in 12 stages. But Nibali says the sport has changed, doping cases have become rare, and “this theme belongs to the past.” The Italian has had a praiseworthy, almost unbreakable lock on the yellow jersey, yet he will be looking over his shoulder more on Friday. The great race enters two days in the Alps that feature uphill finishes, starting with the hardest climb that the peloton has faced so far. Off the roads, Nibali said he expected questions about doping, a scourge of much of the last generation, for whom performanceenhancers such as blood-booster EPO or human growth hormone, and methods like blood-doping were common. Many cycling experts say the sport has greatly cleaned up its act. On Thursday, the Sky team, which has won the last two Tours, sacked British cyclist Jonathan Tiernan-Locke after he was banned for an irregular biological passport. He was not a Tour rider, but few would say the Tour peloton was totally clean. Doping’s shadow remains at the Tour, among team staffers, and even a rider or two. Nibali’s team, Astana, was kicked out of the 2007 Tour after its star rider Alexandre Vinokourov tested positive for banned blood transfusions. He
served his ban, returned to racing, and won gold at the London Olympics. Vinokourov is now Astana’s general manager. Rider Michele Scarponi who, like Nibali, won the Giro d’Italia and was racing in this Tour, was given a three-month ban in 2012 for seeing banned physician Michele Ferrari, a longtime adviser of Lance Armstrong. Nibali says Astana has changed. “I’ve chosen Astana for the possibility to build a group that I can trust to bring me at a competitive level for important races like the Giro, the Tour and the (Spanish) Vuelta,” he said. “There have been many mistakes in cycling in the past, by many riders, but they belong to the past,” Nibali said. “We now have a biological passport, outof-competition controls, controls at home ... “Nobody can say that cycling hasn’t changed. Nowadays, there is an isolated case. There’s always the possibility that an idiot does something stupid ...” Nibali, a native of Messina, Sicily, nicknamed the “Shark of the Strait” after the Strait of Messina, is trying to become only the sixth rider in history to win all three Grand Tours of France, Italy and Spain. He would also be the first Italian to win the Tour since Marco Pantani in 1998. The late Pantani was convicted in Italy of doping offenses during his career. Giuseppe Martinelli, a cycling guru who worked with Pantani for years before they fell out, is an Astana manager. “Thanks to him,” Nibali said
AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani
China’s Cheng Ji, front, nicknamed the “breakaway killer” sets the pace of the pack as they chase after a breakaway during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 115.3 miles with start in Bourg-en-Bresse and finish in Saint-Etienne, France, Thursday. Cheng is the first Chinese rider to take part in the Tour de France.
of Martinelli through a translator, “I became closer to the Astana team that has invested a lot in an Italian group in order to regain credibility.”
To succeed Pantani, Nibali is keeping an eye out on other race contenders: Richie Porte of Australia trails by 2 minutes, 23 seconds, and Alejandro
Valverde of Spain was third, 2:47 back. The mostly flat 115.5-mile course from Bourg-en-Bresse to Saint-Etienne in southeast-
ern France was well suited for a possible sprint finish and that’s how it was won by Alexander Kristoff, a Norwegian specialist with Katusha.
Lakers make highest bid for Boozer; Harris to Mavs By The Associated Press
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Carlos Boozer is headed to the Lakers’ crowded frontcourt after Los Angeles made the winning bid for the veteran forward waived by the Chicago Bulls via the amnesty clause. The Lakers made the highest bid under the NBA’s modified waiver process for players who were amnestied, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on condition of
anonymity Thursday because no official announcement was made. According to NBA rules, teams with room under the salary cap had to bid at least $1.4 million, the amount of the minimum salary for veterans next season. The person did not say how much the Lakers bid, though ESPN.com reported that it was $3.25 million. The amnesty clause allows teams to waive one
player in the first five years of the current collective The Mavericks didn’t reveal contract terms in bargaining agreement without his salary counting their announcement Thursday night. for cap and tax purposes. Boozer will still be paid ESPN reported Harris got a $16.5 million, fourthe $16.8 million he is due next season in the final year deal. season of a contract he signed in 2010. Harris played for Dallas on a one-year, $3 million deal last season. He originally had a $9 milMavs sign Harris lion, three-year deal, but that was scuttled by a toe DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have re- injury that forced him to miss the first half of the signed guard Devin Harris. season
California dreaming Baseball’s 2nd half could have West Coast bias JAY COHEN AP Sports Writer
Sure, it was great for a couple days. The cheers for Derek Jeter. The power of Giancarlo Stanton. The excellence of Mike Trout in the American League’s 5-3 victory. Baseball’s All-Star party in the Twin Cities was a long series of smiles for players and fans. But the break is over now, and the real fun begins Friday night. Heading into the second half of the season, there are all sorts of compelling stories from coast to coast. It could be one fun summer in California, where Oakland begins the weekend with the best record in the majors, and the Giants, Angels and Dodgers are in prime playoff position. The trade deadline is in two weeks, and the recovery of several key injured players could dramatically affect a couple of divisions. The A’s bearded collection of shaggy misfits and stars is looking for the franchise’s first World Series title in 25 years. Sensing an opportunity, general manager Billy Beane got an early jump on the deadline when he acquired pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel in a deal with the Chicago Cubs on July 4. The blockbuster trade created an awkward scene at the AllStar game, where Samardzija was introduced with the NL reserves and then joined his new teammates in the AL dugout. “I’m really excited to just put all this to rest now and the sideshow that’s happened right in the middle of all this,” Samardzija said. “It was a great opportunity to get to know these guys more. I flew out here with them. I’m excited.” There will be no such problem for any other players on the move this month. Boston pitcher Jake Peavy, Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, San Diego closer Huston Street and New York
‘I’m really excited to just put all this to rest now and the sideshow that’s happened right in the middle of all this.’ — Jeff Samardzija, Athletics pitcher Mets right-hander Bartolo Colon are thought to be on the market as contenders shop for that missing piece that could pay off into October. “I guess there’s a possibility for anything, but at this point I love playing in Philadelphia,” said Utley, who could veto any deal. Jeter was warmly greeted everywhere he went this week, and the Yankee captain contributed two hits to the AL All-Star win. Any chance of his final season ending in the playoffs likely depends on the return of rookie ace Masahiro Tanaka, who is out with a partially torn ligament in his right elbow. He is going through a six-week rehab program but season-ending surgery is an option. Michael Pineda also could return from a back injury to New York’s battered rotation. The Bronx is one of many spots where health is an issue for the stretch run. The recovery of Reds sluggers Joey Votto (strained muscle above left knee) and Brandon Phillips (left thumb) and indispensable Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (right thumb) could affect the bunched NL Central. The Pirates could get starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (tight lat muscle) in the first few weeks after the break. “We know what we’re capable of doing, and we’re going to play like we’ve been there before, like we’ve done it before,” said slugger Andrew McCutchen, hoping to lead Pittsburgh back to the playoffs for the second straight year. “That’s what we’ve got to look forward to.” The strained right quadri-
ceps of Toronto’s Edwin Encarnacion and ailing back of Detroit’s Victor Martinez also bears watching. Atlanta, which is battling Washington for the top spot in the NL East, could get a lift from the return of Evan Gattis after the catcher was sidelined by a bulging disk in his back. Beyond the standings, the races for the individual honors will come into focus. Trout could add the AL MVP award to his one from the All-Star game, especially if the Angels can run down the A’s in the competitive AL West. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is among the favorites for the NL award, but he could be hurt by the Rockies’ poor play. The NL Cy Young Award features an interesting duel between Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers and Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals. Trying for a repeat, Kershaw had a 41-inning scoreless streak that ended last week and carried a 1.78 ERA into the break. But Wainwright is 12-4 with a 1.83 ERA in 138 innings, compared to 96 1-3 for Kershaw, who missed all of April with a back problem. White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, the overwhelming favorite for AL Rookie of the Year with Tanaka on the shelf, could become baseball’s first rookie home run king since Mark McGwire with the Athletics in 1987. “He’s continuing to make adjustments with what other teams are trying to do to him,” White Sox manager Robin Ventura said last month, “and when he hits it on the barrel it goes a long way.” C
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