Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta

Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta
Primoz Roglic of Slovenia poses with his children and the trophy after winning La Vuelta cycling race during the last stage in Madrid Sunday. (AP)
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Updated 09 September 2024
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Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta

Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta
  • The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung
  • His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France

MADRID: Primoz Roglic won the Vuelta a España for a record-equalling fourth time on Sunday, the perfect pick-me-up after crashing out of the Tour de France.

The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung.

“It’s crazy — already four, I just want to enjoy it” he said before hugging his wife Lora and children.

Australia’s Ben O’Connor finished runner-up overall with Spain’s Enric Mas completing the podium.

With the sun setting on the streets of the Spanish capital Roglic, 34, drew level with Spaniard Roberto Heras for number of wins in the season’s third and closing Grand Tour.

Roglic finished the race 2min 36sec up on O’Connor, with Mas (Movistar) third at 3:13.

After 81 hours, 49 minutes and 18 seconds in the saddle an exhausted but happy Roglic said: “This is nice! The more you go to an end, you just want to finish it off.

“There’s a lot of sacrificing, not only by me, but also my family, everyone around me. We all live for it. I just feel happy I can do it.

“I really appreciate all the support from the people around me.”

Roglic, riding for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team, had to fight for the red jersey after a gruelling race that began three weeks ago in Portugal and featured some of the toughest climbs the sport has to offer.

He won stage four to take the overall lead but then O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team) burst to the top of the general classification by almost five minutes.

Roglic slowly chipped away at the Australian’s massive cushion with a bunch of strong mountain place finishes.

He reclaimed the leader’s red jersey after his third win on stage 19.

This Vuelta triumph went a long way to making up for the disappointment of his Tour de France-ending crash before stage 13.

His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

“Incredible” observed Roglic of his country’s success.

While he may not have won, O’Connor was jubilant over his breakthrough first ever Grand Tour podium.

“I wasn’t expecting this, I expected to be good but not second overall. This calls for a pretty big celebration!” said the 28-year-old Aussie, who wore the red jersey for 13 stages.

Kung took the final day honors for his first Grand Tour stage win at the last throw of the dice in his 12th appearance in either the Giro, Tour or Vuelta.

“It’s been a long time in the making” the Swiss time trial expert said.

“It’s always nice if you win with more than half a minute,” added Kung, who completed the 24km 21st stage 31sec faster than Roglic.

“It shows that you were the best, there was no coincidence.”

One of the big names in the peloton who failed to make it to Madrid was Wout Van Aert.

The Belgian star claimed three Vuelta stages to occupy the top of the points (green) and mountain classifications only to suffer a heavy fall which not only ended his race but also his season.

With Van Aert’s race cut short, the mountains and green jersey competitions, went to two Australians — Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck).


Cricketers are now for all seasons

 Cricketers are now for all seasons
Updated 58 min 16 sec ago
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Cricketers are now for all seasons

 Cricketers are now for all seasons
  • Leading professionals, male and female, can play top class cricket all year round, irrespective of weather conditions

It is the start of October in the UK. The English and Welsh cricket season staggered to its conclusion, buffeted by rain and winds with occasional outbursts of sun. Autumn is here and I am put in mind of one of England’s most famous romantic poets, John Keats. His final poem, “To Autumn,” began: “Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness; Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun.”

September 2024 has not evoked a repeat of Keats’ experience. Although there are mists, the sun-induced mellowness has been largely lacking. Instead, rain has meant the determination of important cricketing issues was subject to uncertainty. England and Australia played a five-match One Day International series. England lost the first two matches but then won the next two, turning the final match at Bristol into a series decider.

Rain was forecast for the afternoon and arrived around 4 p.m., after 20.4 overs had been bowled. At 20 overs in a 50-over match, an adjusted target score formula is activated. Australia was sufficiently far ahead in its run chase that, when the match was eventually abandoned, they were declared both match and series winner. The conditions for watching were not pleasant; apart from the constant threat of rain, a strong and gusty breeze made day seem colder.

Nevertheless, the crowd was stoical. The ground has a stated ODI capacity of 15,000 and it was sold out. There are those who regard the scheduling of an England v Australia series at this time of year as bordering on farce. Others, including cricket authorities, argue that the demand exists — all matches were sell-outs and great entertainment was provided by some of the world’s leading players. On top of that, the series provided an opportunity to stage matches at venues which do not regularly host internationals against top opposition.

Whilst the series was being played, the final matches of the county cricket season were unfolding against a backdrop of capricious weather. Matters of promotion and relegation had to be decided, with most teams hoping the weather would not be the ultimate arbiter. Despite several matches losing at least a day’s play, fair conclusions, based on relative performances, emerged. In a twist of fate, Lancashire were relegated from Division 1 and changed places with their historic rivals, Yorkshire, who finished second in Division 2.

An outside observer of English and Welsh cricket with an overall knowledge of the global game might regard the scheduling of such important matches at this time of year as unwise, given the probability of rain and cold weather influencing the outcomes. As has been discussed in previous columns, the reason is The Hundred.

In order to appeal to its target audience of parents and young children it is scheduled for the school holidays in August. All other first class cricket tournaments are scheduled around it. This regime is unlikely to change in the short term. The privatization of The Hundred is now underway, with the longer effects of this process subject to much crystal ball-gazing.

Confirmation came this week of the sale of the private company which owns Hampshire cricket to GMR Global Pte Ltd. It will acquire a majority stake in Hampshire Sports & Leisure Group. No immediate change of personnel will occur other than at main board level, where two new directors will be appointed by GGPL. The transaction, termed as a “definitive agreement,” has been heavily trailed and is expected to be concluded in September 2026. As well as holding a 50 percent stake in Delhi Capitals, GMR also owns shares in the Dubai Capitals and the Pretoria Capitals, as well as investing in US Major League Cricket team the Seattle Orcas.

Cricket’s globalization process is set to expand. Negotiations will proceed throughout the British autumn for the sale of The Hundred. Although the season has ended in Europe and North America it has opened in Asia, central and southern Africa and Australasia. As if to remind us that rain’s detrimental effect on cricket is not limited to Europe and North America, it washed out play on two and a half days of the second Test match between India and Bangladesh in Nagpur.

Rain has also fallen heavily in the UAE, where the women’s T20I World Cup is being played in day-time temperatures in the mid-30s. Originally, the tournament was scheduled to take place in Bangladesh but was moved because of civil strife. This will be the first women’s T20 World Cup to be held at a neutral venue. If it feels like a women’s T20I World cup was played not too long ago, you would be right; the knock-on effect of the global pandemic forced the 2023 edition in South Africa to be held a year later than originally planned.

Ten teams will participate, divided into two groups of five, playing in a round-robin format. The top two from each group will qualify for the semifinals. Australia is the firm favorite to retain the trophy, having won the last four editions and six of the eight to have been played, England and the West Indies being the other winners in 2009 and 2016, respectively.

Since the first edition, women’s cricket has progressed a long way to the point where this will be the first women’s global tournament since the ICC announced equal prize money for both men’s and women's tournaments. The winners will receive USD 2.34 million, an increase of 134 percent over 2023’s prize money.

This reflects the dramatic increase in appeal of women’s cricket to spectators, broadcasters, sponsors and marketeers. Women have proved that they can play cricket to a high standard and attract funding. The leading professional cricketers, both men and women, can play cricket all year round, irrespective of weather conditions. Autumn, for them, has a different meaning compared with Keats. It is a time to fly away to warmer climes, leaving others to discuss the game’s future landscape.


Dubai Basketball to host Serbia’s Mega MIS in battle of unbeaten rivals

Dubai Basketball to host Serbia’s Mega MIS in battle of unbeaten rivals
Updated 03 October 2024
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Dubai Basketball to host Serbia’s Mega MIS in battle of unbeaten rivals

Dubai Basketball to host Serbia’s Mega MIS in battle of unbeaten rivals
  • Both teams go into Round 3 of Europe’s ABA League searching for a third straight victory

DUBAI: Dubai Basketball welcomes Serbia’s Mega MIS to the Coca-Cola Arena on Saturday night for a highly anticipated ABA League game that means one side will lose their perfect start to the season.

Dubai Basketball has stormed on to the scene with an undefeated start to their inaugural ABA League season after a thrilling 86-84 victory over Serbia’s defending champions, Crvena Zvezda, on the opening night, followed by their first road triumph, a 92-84 win over Slovenia’s Cedevita Olimpija.

Dubai might be facing their toughest contest yet, as Mega MIS — last year’s semi-finalists — are also unbeaten and looking to top the league’s standings.

However, Dubai Basketball’s captain, Klemen Prepelic, who was named the ABA League’s Fantasy Player of the Week for a stellar Round 2 performance, has been focused on his team’s preparations, and has called on Dubai fans to show up in force, creating an atmosphere like the one that nearly took the roof off the Coca-Cola Arena in their opener against Crvena Zvezda.

He said: “Our fans here in Dubai, they’re as much a part of the team as any one of us on the roster. When our fans show up in force, they really are the ‘sixth man,’ this place (Coca-Cola Arena) gets loud. We all experienced (last week) what our fans can do in big moments, the incredible atmosphere; they can make Coca-Cola Arena the toughest place for opponents to play, and we want to experience that again, all season long.”

Fans can expect a stellar contest, with both sides impressing so far and a sudden rivalry emerging. For Dubai Basketball, Prepelic is the team’s top points scorer with 39 as well as 14 assists and 8 rebounds while American Nate Mason will also be a threat with a 100 per cent record from his five free throws that have contributed to his 38-point tally.

Mega MIS, known throughout the world for producing NBA superstars, like NBA champion and three-time league MVP, Nikola Jokic, will not be short of confidence as they also aim for a 3-0 record. Filip Jovic (33), Kosta Kondic (32) and Mihailo Petrovic (30) have all passed the 30-point barrier in the opening two games so far.


‘Latino Night’ brings top boxing talent to Riyadh Season

‘Latino Night’ brings top boxing talent to Riyadh Season
Updated 03 October 2024
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‘Latino Night’ brings top boxing talent to Riyadh Season

‘Latino Night’ brings top boxing talent to Riyadh Season
  • Boxing fans in for a treat as fight card will be free on Nov. 16
  • Unification battle has Gilberto Ramirez vs. Chris Billam-Smith

LOS ANGELES: On Nov. 16, the Kingdom will host “Latino Night” featuring some of the world’s top fighters as a part of Riyadh Season, and will be free for viewers across the globe, it was confirmed at a press conference here on Wednesday night.

The event, organized by Golden Boy Promotions, will take place at The Venue, one of the new zones of Riyadh Season. The main event will be co-promoted by BOXXER.

During the press conference, it was confirmed that “Latino Night” will be the first Riyadh Season event offered free to boxing fans worldwide. DAZN will stream the event, with additional broadcasters in the region to be announced soon.

The event is expected to be one of the largest celebrations of Latino talent in boxing.

It will feature a unification battle between World Boxing Association cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez of Mexico and World Boxing Organization champion Chris Billam-Smith of the UK, who enters the fight after three consecutive title defenses.

In the co-main event, former unified champion and US Olympian Jose Ramirez will face dangerous undefeated contender and WBO No. 1-ranked challenger Arnold Barboza Jr. in a 12-round lightweight title eliminator.

The card includes a highly anticipated lightweight bout between Mexico’s William “El Camaron” Zepeda and former International Boxing Federation world champion Tevin “2X” Farmer in a 10-round clash.

Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, said he and Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, “share the same vision of bringing the best fights to the fans.

“From the world title unification fight to matchups between former champions and rising contenders, as well as a star-studded undercard, this event will showcase everything that’s great about the sport of boxing.”

Golden Boy Promotions’ Chief Business Officer Felipe Bouton said: “We are thrilled to work with Riyadh Season to promote ‘Latino Night’ and expand Golden Boy’s global footprint.”

The night will open with a 12-round WBA super-lightweight title eliminator between WBA No. 1 contender Kenneth “Bossman” Sims Jr. from Chicago and Oscar “La Migrana” Duarte.


ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
Updated 03 October 2024
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ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka

ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins in UAE today as Pakistan face Sri Lanka
  • Pakistan to feature against arch-rivals India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Oct. 6 
  • Semi-finals set to take place on Oct. 17 and 18 while winner of series to be decided on Oct 20

ISLAMABAD: The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will begin today, Thursday, in the UAE with the Pakistan women’s team under the leadership of Fatima Sana taking on Sri Lanka in their opening match at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Ten teams are featured in the 18-day tournament, with the Pakistan women’s team slotted in Group ‘A’ alongside Australia, India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh, England, Scotland, South Africa and the West Indies are in Group ‘B’.

“We have prepared well for the mega event,” Captain Fatima Sana said in a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board. “The series against South Africa at home before coming to the UAE helped us know our strengths and allowed our batters to show their form.

“The two practice games have also helped us in assessing the conditions here and now has provided us with clarity regarding the right combination of players in the tournament.” 

The PCB said Pakistan would feature against arch-rivals India at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium (DICS) on Oct. 6 and then be in action against defending champions Australia on Oct. 11 at the same venue. Their last group match will be against New Zealand on Oct. 14.

As per the format of the tournament, the top two sides from each group will qualify for the semifinals set to take place on Oct. 17 and 18 while the winner of the tournament will be decided on Oct 20. 

Pakistan have featured in two warm-up games against Scotland and Bangladesh prior to the start of the tournament and also took part in various practice sessions to acclimatize to the conditions.

15-member squad for the tournament:

Fatima Sana (captain), Aliya Riaz, Diana Baig, Gull Feroza, Iram Javed, Muneeba Ali (wicket-keeper), Nashra Sundhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadaf Shamas, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Syeda Aroob Shah, Tasmia Rubab and Tuba Hassan

Traveling reserve: Najiha Alvi (wicket-keeper)

Non-traveling reserves: Rameen Shamim and Umm-e-Hani


Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield

Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield
Updated 03 October 2024
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Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield

Messi strikes for two as Miami clinch MLS Supporters’ Shield
  • Messi made it 2-0, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall to curl a laser-precision free-kick into the corner past the stationary Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte
  • The champions of MLS is determined by the winner of the MLS Cup playoffs — where Eastern Conference rivals the Crew and Miami could meet again

WASHINGTON: Lionel Messi scored twice as Inter Miami beat the defending Major League Soccer champions the Columbus Crew 3-2 to clinch the Supporters’ Shield awarded for the best regular season record.

Messi had been subdued until the 45th minute when he put Inter ahead — chesting down a long ball into the box and getting a lucky bounce off Crew defender Malte Amundsen before poking home.

Minutes later, Messi made it 2-0, taking advantage of a poorly assembled wall to curl a laser-precision free-kick into the corner past the stationary Columbus keeper Patrick Schulte.

But 20 seconds after the start of the second half, Columbus pulled a goal back when the ball fell to Diego Rossi just inside the box and he cleverly curled his shot into the far corner.

Straight from the restart, Columbus gifted Miami a third when Schulte raced off his line but with defender Rudy Camacho in his way, he dropped the ball to Luis Suarez who headed into the unguarded goal.

The Crew battled back again though and made it 3-2 through a Cucho Hernandez penalty after Noah Allen handled in the box.

But once again, the momentum Columbus had gained was lost when Camacho was sent off for a second yellow card after a studs up challenge on Federico Redondo.

Seven minutes from the end though, the Crew had a glorious chance to grab a point — and deny Miami their celebration — when a penalty was awarded for handball against Ian Fray after a VAR review.

But this time Colombian Hernandez’s penalty was weak and Miami keeper Drake Callender dived to his right and saved.

The champions of MLS is determined by the winner of the MLS Cup playoffs — where Eastern Conference rivals the Crew and Miami could meet again.