Chisholm Jr falls short in round one
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
With just three shots to his ledger, Bahamian Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr got eliminated in the first round of the Major League Baseball’s 2025 Home Run Derby last night in Atlanta, Georgia.
Chisholm Jr, with his step-father and long-time mentor Geron Sands pitching to him from behind the cage just in front of the mound, Chisholm Jr cracked the three homers to the right side of the Truist Park after he swung at a total of 37 pitches.
His longest shot on the night was 463 feet, while the other two were 409 and 400.
The 27-year-old infielder, representing the New York Yankees in his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic, missed his first four swings on the pitches from Sands before he finally connected on his first homer.
By Jonathan Burrows
THE 30th anniversary of the “Peace on Da Street” basketball tournament tipped off yesterday evening with a powerful display of unity, purpose and raw community energy, setting the tone for what promises to be a momentous week of basketball and upliftment.
Held at the Hope Center, the opening night of the historic tournament began not with the sound of a whistle, but with bowed heads and reverent silence.
Chisholm Jr, who had a total of 17 homers during the regular season, missed his next 13 pitches before he got his second homer. He then missed the next six pitches only to connect on his third and final homer before he missed the next three to complete his three-minute round.
Finally, in the bonus round, Chisholm Jr missed all three shots as he made his exit.
He joined Atlanta Braves’ Matt Olson, who went out with 15 homers, Washington Nationals’ James Wood with 16 and Oklahoma Athletics’ Brent Rooker with 17.
The top four performers to advance to the second round were Seattle Mariners’ Cal Raleigh with 17, Minnesota Twins’ Byron Buxton with 20 and both Pittsburgh Pirates’ Oneil Cruz and Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero had 21 apiece. Each player had three minutes in the first
A prayer, led by a local pastor, invoked protection, peace and a reminder of the tournament’s deeper mission - shooting hoops, not guns. The opening matches saw electrifying performances from local teams, drawing loud cheers from packed bleachers filled with families, athletes and longtime supporters of the tournament.
• The results of Monday’s games are as follows:
Under 13 - Power 1 beat the Luycayans 31-19 - IBA beat MOT2 22-1
Under 16
- Jaguars beat the Lucayans 32-26
Under 20
BRENT STUBBS
ALL her life, Bahamian sprinter Printassia Johnson was running the 100 and 200 metres until an injury this year forced her to switch to the 200/400m combo. Now she’s loving the latest move orchestrated by Bahamian former sprint sensation Dominic Demeritte, who is now the head coach at Life University. Johnson, at 31, is quickly learning how to compete in the “once hated” 400m.
In her latest appearance over the weekend, Johnson won the women’s 400m Category F at the 2025 Ed Murphey Track Classic in Memphis, Tennessee in 51.52 seconds.
The meet followed her lifetime best of 51.29 for second place at the Barbados Grand Prix at the Usain Bolt Complex in Bridgetown, Barbados on July 5 where she trailed hometown favourite Sada Williams, who took the tape in 51.15. “I think my performances have been good,” Johnson said. “When the
season started, I wasn’t even a quarter-miler. This just happened by chance because I was injured.
“I was enjoying the 100 and 200m, but because of my hamstring, I couldn’t perform as well as I should have during the collegiate season. I got injured two days before we went to the conference meet.”
Demeritte, known as a 100/200m specialist, made the decision to push Johnson into the 400m to help with her rehab from her injury. He said she caught on so quickly that the decision was made to keep her at that distance.
“She started running the 400m indoors just as a training event and she ran pretty well,” he said. “But when she came to me, I told her she was more suited for the 200/400 than the 100/200m.
“She still has the 100m in the back of her mind, but the injury kind of forced her to move up. She’s still now at 100m, so I’m looking to see what will happen when she is at 100 per cent and we can train the way we need to train.” Johnson has certainly embraced the change. “Growing up, I really hated running the 400m, but now I’m loving it,” Johnson said. “Every time I’m stepping out on the track, I’m getting faster. It’s just a matter of me having the right competition. “I remember when I ran against Sada in Barbados, my coach told me I
By BRENT STUBBS Chief Sports Editor bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
KAIWAN Culmer, considered the next Bahamian triple jumper to watch, has shown a vast improvement since connecting with his legendary mentor Leevan “Superman” Sands as his coach in Tallahassee, Florida.
The two united a year ago and over the weekend, Culmer made a giant leap from his personal best of 55-feet, 1-inch or 16.79 metres to a lifetime best of 55-9 1/4 (17.00m) on Saturday at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis, Tennessee. For the 28-year-old Culmer, whose aim is to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September, he’s in the right environment to succeed under Sands, the Bahamian national record holder at 58-0 1/2 (17.69m).
THE SPORTS CALENDAR
PEACE ON DA STREET FAMILY NIGHT PLANS are underway for the staging of the Peace on Da Streets’ Basketball Classics’ Road to 30 years of existence.
The event, being organised by the Hope Center under the theme “Shooting hoops instead of guns,” is being held from July 14-19 at the
July
Michael ‘Scooter’ Reid Basketball Center.
The highlight of the event will be the Family Night, scheduled for Sunday, July 20 at the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium when the finals in all of the divisions will take place, starting at 3pm. There will also be the Mr Ship It Three-point shootout and the Joe’s
JULY - See Page E2
KAIWAN - See Page E2
Barbados.
PEACE - See Page E6 NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby last night in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
TRIPLE JUMPER KAIWAN CULMER PLEASED WITH HIS PROGRESSION UNDER LEEVAN ‘SUPERMAN’ SANDS
“I feel really good about it,” said Culmer of finally reaching the seven-metre mark. “Could you imagine having a goal like that in your head for more than a decade and you finally get to achieve it.
“Even since I started track when I was 15 years old, I was watching guys jump this hundreds of times and for me to reach that distance, it was a major milestone for me. It was a big accomplishment in my athletic career.”
In achieving the feat, Culmer came through on his first attempt to place him in fourth place where he remained after fouling his second, third and fourth tries, only to get in another legal mark before he fouled on his last attempt.
“The majority of the jumpers had their best jumps on either the first or second attempt,” Culmer said. “What is happening
more at meets is athletes are going on the rest side.
“So after the second or third jumps, athletes are now saving their legs so they start passing. But I tried to go for it because I knew I had a big jump in me. I just ran out of fatigue on that last jump.”
Despite not getting the white flag for a good attempt, Culmer said he felt it would have been well over the 55-9 (17m) mark and pushed him over further to where Sands feels he should be.
“We are just working on my approach because all year I’ve been having some pretty big jumps that were fouls,” Culmer said. “So we are just trying to get it to where it needs to be.”
Two years ago while he was home training with coach Peter Pratt, Culmer said they sat down and had a real “man-to-man” talk about his future.
Pratt encouraged him to seek another avenue to train and compete and
he got hooked up with Sands and, ever since, they have been preparing him to become the next great Bahamian triple jumper.
“To be honest, with him, as an athlete, he had a lot of energy and he has brought that same intensity to his coaching,” Culmer said.
“So most of the time in training, he’s been pushing me to go further and further.
“He’s just a great coach, probably one of the best in the region. How many people can say they have coached two athletes at the same time who have done 8.11 metres in the long jump and 17 metres in the triple jump.”
When approached to coach him, Sands said he knew that Culmer had the potential. He left his job as the site supervisor at Arawak Homes and took a leap of faith to follow his dreams.
“He made the sacrifices, came over and we started training,” Sands said. “He
just had to trust the process and I’ve seen his progression where he just kept getting better and better.
“He was a little disappointed that he didn’t make the Olympic team last year, but I told him better things will come for him in his second year.”
Just like he did with American Jeremiah Davis, who claimed third place with his personal best of 26-7 1/4 (8.11m), Sands said Culmer proved that he’s right on track.
Both, however, are still a few metres off the qualifying standards for the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
While the standard for the men’s long jump is 27-1 3/4 (8.27m), the mark for the triple jump is 56-6 (17.22m).
With very few meets for the triple jumpers to compete in, Sands said he was able to work on the technical aspects of Culmer’s run up and he watched as he came through on his first attempt.
“I’m extremely proud of his progress. It’s been a while since we had a 16m jumper from The Bahamas, so I’m really extremely proud of him. He’s learning and he’s getting better with the small things.”
Having gotten the feeling of what it feels like to hop, skip and soar over 55-9 (17m), Culmer said he’s more eager to compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ 2025 National Championships August 1-3 and the NACAC Championships in Grand Bahama. “I want to really get up to the 17-2 range,” said Culmer, who admitted that he just needs to improve on his approach and the distances will follow. “If I can come down the runway with the same approach six times, we will be cooking with gas.”
Slam Dunk Contest. The night will conclude with the exciting Clergy versus Politicians match-up.
BODYBUILDING
WELL WISHES
FOR DR GAY
ON behalf of the Bahamas Bodybuilding Wellness and Fitness Federation (BBWFF), president Wellington Miller extended heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Dr. Norman Gay and his family during this time.
Reports have indicated that Gay, the former Minister of Health, has been moved into assisted living Hospice Care where he is getting medical attention.
“Dr. Gay’s profound contributions to the sport of bodybuilding, health, and fitness, as well as his dedicated service as president of the Confederation of National Health and Wellness, have left an enduring legacy,” Sears said.
“His leadership and passion have inspired many,
And with his performance so far, Culmer said he’s certain that he can secure a spot for the World Championships after he missed the trip to the Olympic Games in Paris, France, last year.
and his impact will continue to resonate throughout our community. We stand in solidarity with all who are keeping Dr. Gay in their thoughts and prayers.”
BOXING FUNDRAISER
THE Boxing Federation of the Bahamas is planning to host a souse out as a fundraiser on Saturday, August 2, at the National Boxing Training Center, Blue Hill Sports Complex. The event is scheduled to take place from 9am to 3pm with chicken pig feet and sheep tongue with Johnnycake or rolls on the menu for a donation of $15.
Soft drinks, potato, coconut and zucchini breads will also be on sale. This is part of our effort to meet our goal of $60,000, according to federation president Vincent Strachan. “We are seeking your support by purchasing tickets and additional donations of food items, if possible,” Strachan said.
The 15 members are expected to participate in The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St Lucia from August 1-3.
ues to improve, he will get better and better.
According to Sands, The Bahamas can expect some big performances from Culmer over the summer. It’s just a matter of time before he pops a big jump.
The team is expected to depart July 31 and would remain there for a training camp with the St Lucia national boxing team. They would depart for Georgetown, Guyana from August 14-18 for the school boys and girls championship and seniors. They would remain in Guyana for another training camp until August 27. Then will head to St Maarten, for The Battle Of The Islands Championships. SPECIAL OLYMPICS RAFFLE GRILL FUN DAY SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas is scheduled to hold their annual raffle grill fun day fundraiser on Saturday, August 16 from 11:30am to 6pm at the Stapledon School Grounds on Dolphin Drive. Dinners will include chicken, steak, fish, hot dogs, burgers, pastries and soft drinks. Domino’s, Connect 4 and basketball games will be played during the day.
Interested persons are urged to call 426-0233, 477-0304 or 359-3558 for information on ticket purchases.
Having cleared 17m, Sands said Culmer has put himself in position to get into some of the meets overseas, so once he contin-
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COACH Leevan “Superman” Sands showcasing Bahamian triple jumper Kaiwan Culmer and American long jumper Jeremiah Davis.
COACH Leevan “Superman” Sands with triple jumper Kaiwan Culmer.
OHTANI TO HIT LEADOFF FOR NL IN ALL-STAR GAME, FOLLOWED
By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer
ATLANTA (AP) —
Shohei Ohtani will bat leadoff as the designated hitter for the National League in tonight’s All-Star Game at Truist Park. And the Los Angeles Dodgers star will be followed in the batting order by left fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. of the host Atlanta Braves.
Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte will hit third in the batting order announced yesterday by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
He will be followed by Los Angeles first baseman Freddie Freeman, San Diego third baseman
BY RONALD ACUÑA JR OF HOST BRAVES
Manny Machado, Dodgers catcher Will Smith, Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Cubs centre fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes will start his second straight All-Star Game. Major League Baseball made the announcement last week.
Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal will make his first All-Star start for the American League. “I think when you’re talking about the game, where it’s at, these two guys … are guys that you can root for, are super talented, are going to be faces of this game for years to come,” Roberts said.
Detroit second baseman Gleyber Torres will lead off for the AL, followed by Tigers left fielder Riley Greene, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr,. Baltimore designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero, Tigers centre fielder Javy Báez and Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson.
Ohtani led off for the AL in the 2021 All-Star Game, when the two-way sensation also was the AL’s starting pitcher. He hit leadoff in 2022, then was the No. 2 hitter hitter for the AL in 2023 and for the NL last year after leaving the
Los Angeles Angels for the Dodgers.
Skenes and Skubal are 1-2 in average four-seam fastball velocity among those with 1,500 or more pitches this season, Skenes at 98.2 mph and Skubal at 97.6 mph, according to MLB Statcast.
A 23-year-old righthander, Skenes is 4-8 despite a major league-best 2.01 ERA for the Pirates, who are last in the NL Central.
The 2024 NL Rookie of the Year has 131 strikeouts and 30 walks in 131 innings.
Skubal, a 28-year-old lefthander, is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. He is 10-3 with a 2.23 ERA, striking out 153 and walking 16 in 121 innings.
‘Jazz’ Chisholm Jr eliminated in the T-Mobile Home Run Derby
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round but, in an attempt to reduce the rushed cadence of the round, they faced a maximum of 40 pitches in those three minutes. Each player gets one timeout.
The top four players advanced to the semifinal, which followed the same structure as the first round, with hitters receiving three minutes, a timeout and three bonus outs.
The top two players advanced to the final where the structure changed a bit with each player receiving two minutes and a maximum of 27 pitches.
Bonus rules stay the same, with each player receiving three bonus outs with the potential to earn a fourth.
Raleigh eventually emerged as the champion with 17, compared to seven by Caminero. Although he didn’t advance out of the first round, Chisholm Jr will be back in action tonight when he comes off the bench as a reserve for the American League against the National League in the All-Star game that starts at 8pm.
It’s Chisholm Jr’s second selection to the All-Star spectacle, but his first since joining New York during the midseason last year in a trade from the Miami Marlins. In 2022 as a member of the Marlins, Chisholm Jr was selected for the AllStar Classic, but didn’t get to compete because of an injury.
the All-Star Classic.
He’s the first Bahamian to participate in both the Home Run Derby and
NEW York Yankees’ Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 14, 2025, in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson)
LOS Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani scores against the San Francisco Giants during the 11th inning of a baseball game in San Francisco on Sunday.
(AP
Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Bahamian sprint phenom Printassia Johnson excited about change in event
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200m because she didn’t want to get burnt out at the end of the race.
“I was still nursing my injury, so I was doing around 52 seconds,” Johnson recalled.
“But when I ran 51.2, that was my first time really putting my race together.
“The only focus right now is to run the qualifying standard for the World Championships, but training wise, I definitely know that I am in great shape to peak to get the qualifying time.”
The standard for the World Championships, scheduled for September in Tokyo, Japan is 50.75 and with the right field of competitors, Johnson said she’s convinced that she can do it because she “strives” off her competition.
She’s hoping that when she comes home for the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ National Championships, she will get some competition from Bahamian top contender Javonya Valcourt from the University of Tennessee, who has already qualified for Worlds with her 50.68 time ran on April 19 at the Percy Beard Track in Gainesville, Florida.
“I’m just learning the event, trying to figure out how to run it,” stated Johnson, who trails Valcourt on the 2025 performance list.
“I haven’t figured that out yet, but I just enjoy running it in just my first year as a quarter-miler.
“There’s no pressure when I compete. I love competition and so I can’t wait to compete against Javonya. I just wish (World and Olympic champion) Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the national record holder, would be in good shape to compete as well so we can go at it.”
She admitted that the race against Williams really inspired her as she went “toe-to-toe” with an Olympian, but she said as she pushes forward, she still has a lot to “learn” and “improve” upon.
Johnson has had her ups and downs.
When she first enrolled at Life University, Johnson stated that she really didn’t know about Demeritte’s accolades until she started spending time around him.
“From the first conversation with him, I felt this was where I wanted to be,” said Johnson, who turned down an offer to attend Indiana Tech.
“He makes me feel right at home. The man knows what he’s doing. He’s a great coach. He treats me very well. If there’s anything I don’t have to worry about, I know who is the coach I want to remain with until I decide to retire from the sport.”
Prior to enrolling at Life University, Johnson spent two years at Illinois State and one year at Grambling State. But what many people don’t know is that she was off the scene for about six years.
She came back in 2021 and started training herself
before she was approached by Ednal Rolle - the head coach at the University of the Bahamas - to coach her. Rolle got her back on track up until 2023 before she went to Florida Memorial University. But after
they fired the coach, Johnson said the decision was made to join Demeritte at Life University. “This is my second year working with her, but nothing that she is doing is surprising,” Demeritte said. “She’s a
very talented athlete. As well, nothing is perfect, but she could be running faster. It’s all in her progress. It takes a while for that progress. Everybody’s progression is different. But I’m happy where she’s at.
She’s just getting better and better. I’m not one to put a limit on anybody. I just feel she can do a good job, once she stays focused and humble.”
Demeritte pointed out that the plan is to get her on the plane to Tokyo.
“She has a lot to work on,” he stated. “She’s brand new to the event, not to the sport, so she’s still in the discovery phase. So I like it when they are looking to get better. “Like every athlete, she’s going to hit a point where it’s going to take a little more. So until we get to that point, I’m just having some fun with her.”
With the 100m now as an afterthought, Johnson said the 200m will always be her first love, but now she’s getting close to enjoying the 400m just as much.
“I just want to keep it safe this season,” Johnson said.
“Coach has told me that we will just concentrate on the 400m for the rest of the season.”
Johnson, the daughter of former Beck’s Cougars’ shooting guard John ‘Blocks’ Johnson and Princess Knowles, thanked her family, friends and coaches Rolle and Rashad Patton, Nikita Thompson and Henry Butler, who provided physical therapy at TAB for free for a whole year, in helping her in her comeback.
But Johnson would be the first to admit that she hasn’t done “anything yet,” so there’s still a long way for her to go to claim any fame or fortune as a quarter-miler.
COACH Dominic Demeritte with quarter-miler Printassia Johnson.
Electric Ella Toone lighting up England’s title defence at Euro 2025
By DANIELLA MATAR AP Sports Writer
ZURICH (AP) — England midfielder Ella Toone is back to her “unbelievable” best.
Toone stole the show in Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing of Wales at the Women’s European Championship with a sensational first-half performance to propel the defending champion into the quarterfinals.
The Manchester United star set up two of England’s four goals in the first period and netted one of the others herself for her second goal of the tournament.
“I think she was unbelievable,” said England teammate Beth Mead.
Toone also had an incredible 100% pass completion against Wales before being substituted off at halftime, with the outcome a foregone conclusion and the defending champion’s place in the quarterfinals guaranteed.
“Well, I mean, it might not have been 100% if I stayed on the second half, but I’ll take it,” Toone said with a laugh. “But I’m a number 10, I want to take risks, I want to find passes that sometimes might not come off and I always think that it’s okay to make a mistake.
“I feel really good at the minute, feel really confident and really enjoying my football. So hopefully I can
continue with that in the next games.” England will face Sweden in the quarterfinals, on Thursday in Zurich — where the Lionesses played their first two matches of Euro 2025. The 25-year-old Toone is all but assured of a place in the starting lineup,
especially as England coach Sarina Wiegman normally avoids tinkering with a winning team in tournaments. Wiegman kept the same starting lineup for all six of England’s matches in its triumphant Euro 2022 run and made only the one change after England opened its defence with a
disappointing defeat to France.
That was to bring Toone, who had come off the bench against France, in for Mead against the Netherlands, shifting Lauren James to the right. England won 4-0.
Mead herself had a sublime performance against Wales, after coming off the bench at halftime, with a goal and an assist as England wrapped up the scoring.
“That’s the Beth that I saw in 2022 at the Euros when she took an extra touch in the box and sat a few defenders down and got a goal and I’m so happy for her,” Toone said.
But the 30-year-old Mead, who was the Euro 2022 player of the tournament, is likely to start again from the bench against Sweden. “I think Tooney is really coming into her own and sometimes in situations where you feel a little bit low, it brings you to the top of your game,” Mead said.
“And I have completely felt that and done that before, been in a tough place and come back … and she deserves everything she’s getting right now because she has worked really hard for it.”
Bonding over grief
Mead and Toone have both lost parents since England lifted the Euro 2022 trophy.
Mead’s mother died from ovarian cancer in January 2023, while Toone lost her father to prostate cancer last September. Both players pointed to the sky
after scoring on Sunday.
“We both said the first game we really struggled a little bit,” Mead said. “You look to the stands for your person who was standing there and they’re not there anymore. “I think my mum was the first person I would look for in the stands, so I obviously understand what Ella felt in that moment and it’s just special to be able to have that moment, think about them and dedicate it to them.”
Toone says she and Mead have “really bonded over such a terrible thing” and that her teammate has been a mentor to her as she understands what she is going through. “I was buzzing for her that she got that tonight and we both could celebrate to the sky,” Toone added.
ENGLAND’S BETH MEAD, right, shoots to score her sides fifth goal during the Women’s Euro 2025, group D, soccer match between England and Wales at Arena St. Gallen in Switzerland on Sunday. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
ELLA TOONE, left, celebrates after scoring her side’s fourth goal. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP)
BETH MEAD, right, celebrates after scoring her sides fifth goal. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
ELLA Toone scores her sides second goal.
(AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
30TH ‘PEACE ON DA STREET’ BASKETBALL TOURNEY DAY 1
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The fans erupted for every dunk, fast break, and buzzer-beater, but also paid close attention to the values being promoted - respect, discipline and unity.
Founder Carlos Reid, a longtime community leader and anti-violence advocate, stood courtside beaming with gratitude.
“I think it is amazing to celebrate our 30th year, we refurbished both of the courts for this tournament, and to see our young men out here while they could have been somewhere else is amazing,” Reid said.
“We are living in a time where it is normal to hear young men being shot down and we have them out here shooting hoops, they on the basketball courts and not the magistrate courts and that’s what life is to us right now,” he also added.
Proud parents and supporters cheered on their teams as they competed throughout the tournament.
“This is more than just basketball,” said Monique Ferguson, a mother of three who attended her son’s game. “It’s a reminder that there is still hope, still leaders in our community who care,” she also added.
As night fell and the final whistle blew, Reid made it clear that the tournament is only just getting started.
“We are building a legacy and we are not stopping now,” Reid said.
The 30th annual “Peace on Da Street” tournament continues all week, featuring teams from across New Providence. With spirited competition and strong community support, the first day of the tournament set the tone for a week of resilience and hometown pride.
ON THE REPLAY: The 30th anniversary of the “Peace on Da Street” basketball tournament tipped off yesterday evening with a powerful display of unity, purpose and raw community energy, setting the tone for what promises to be a momentous week of basketball and upliftment. Held at the Hope Center, the opening night of the historic tournament began not with the sound of a whistle, but with bowed heads and reverent silence.
Photos: Jonathan Burrows
PEACE
YATES WINS TOUR DE FRANCE’S FIRST MOUNTAINOUS STAGE AND HEALY TAKES YELLOW JERSEY
LE MONT-DORE,
France (AP) — British rider Simon Yates won the first mountainous stage of the Tour de France yesterday and Irish rider Ben Healy was consoled by taking the yellow jersey.
Healy was nominated the most combative rider of the day after forcing the initiative on the 10th stage, but Yates - who won the Giro d’Italia last month – timed his break perfectly on the final climb to win a stage for the third time.
“It’s been a long time, but actually I also was not really expecting any opportunities here,” said Yates, a teammate of twotime Tour champion Jonas Vingegaard.
“We came here fully focused on Jonas and the GC (general classification), so the stage played out in a way that I could be there for the stage. I took it with both hands.” Dutch rider Thymen Arensman was nine seconds behind, while Healy finished third, 31 seconds behind Yates.
Three-time Tour champion Tadej Pogacar finished farther back alongside main rival Vingegaard and French rider Lenny Martinez with a gap of 4 minutes, 51 seconds.
It meant Healy, who claimed his first stage victory on Thursday, took the overall lead, 29 seconds ahead of Pogacar.
“It’s a fairy tale,” said Healy, the fourth Irish rider to wear the yellow jersey.
Remco Evenepoel was third in the general ranking, 1:29 behind, and Vingegaard 1:46 behind in fourth. “I’m still behind and I have to take time at one point,” said Vingegaard,
SLOVENIA’S TADEJ POGACAR, wearing the overall leader’s yellow jersey, and teammate Britain’s Adam Yates ride on the Charade Circuit during the tenth stage. INSET - Quinn Simmons of the U.S., centre, and Ireland’s Ben Healy ride in the breakaway. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
who remained positive that Pogacar wasn’t too far ahead.
“So far I’ve been able to follow all his attacks which I couldn’t do in (Critérium du) Dauphiné,” Vingegaard said, referring to the traditional Tour curtain-raiser.
“I think that that shows that I have a better level now than I had in Dauphiné.”
Stage 10 took the riders on an arduous 165.3-kilometre route in the Massif
Central — France’s southcentral highland region — from Ennezat through seven category two climbs. It finished on the ascent of Puy de Sancy — the region’s highest peak — after 3.3 kilometres of an eight per cent gradient climb.
French rider Julian Alaphilippe lived up to expectations with the first break on France’s national day, Bastille Day, carving out a 10-second lead
before he was caught on the first climb up Côte de Loubeyrat.
Norwegian rider Søren Wærenskjold had to withdraw early as the tough start proved too much after his crash the day before.
German rider Georg Zimmermann withdrew before the start following his crash on Sunday. His team, Intermarché-Wanty, said he “developed signs of a concussion during the night.”
Dutch sprinter Marijn van den Berg also retired due to injuries from his crash on Stage 1, EF
Education-Easypost said. The cyclists can look forward to their first rest day today.
BRITAIN’s Simon Yates crosses the finish line to win the the tenth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 165.3 kilometres (102.7 miles) with start in Ennezat and finish in Le Mont-Dore Puy de Sancy, France, yesterday. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy)
