World Sports News in Brief

Cycling: Exhausted Pogacar effectively seals second straight Tour de France

Tadej Pogacar all but became champion of the 2021 Tour de France on Saturday (Jul 17) as the UAE rider protected his large overall lead in the stage 20 time-trial, ahead of the traditionally ceremonial final run to Paris.

Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 20 - Libourne to Saint-Emilion - France - July 17, 2021 UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia wearing the yellow jersey in action during stage 20. (Photo: Reuters)
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 20 - Libourne to Saint-Emilion - France - July 17, 2021 UAE Team Emirates rider Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia wearing the yellow jersey in action during stage 20. (Photo: Reuters)

Pogacar won three stages on his way to this dominant triumph in a manner reminiscent of former champions Alberto Contador and Chris Froome, strong in both the time-trials and the mountains. He will also win the awards for best rider under-25 and the king of the mountains polka-dot jersey, a triple he also achieved on his debut last year.

* France international striker Olivier Giroud has joined Italian Serie A side AC Milan from Champions League winners Chelsea, both clubs announced on Saturday. Milan did not specify the transfer fee or the length of the contract but British media reported that the club would pay around EUR1 million (US$1.2 million) for the player, who is expected to sign a two-year deal.

* Red Bull's Formula One championship leader Max Verstappen was fastest in final practice for the British Grand Prix although lap times were largely meaningless as teams focused on preparations for Saturday's first ever sprint qualifying. Formula One is trialling a new format at Silverstone, with a 17-lap race deciding the starting grid for Sunday's headline grand prix.

* Max Verstappen took pole position for the British Grand Prix and made Formula One history by winning the sport's first Saturday sprint race to stretch his lead over Lewis Hamilton to 33 points. Seven-times world champion Hamilton will start alongside his Dutch rival in Sunday's grand prix after finishing second for Mercedes in a 17-lap qualifying race that lasted just over half an hour.

* Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ben White for 50 million pounds (US$68.86 million), British media reported on Saturday (Jul 17).

* Thai sisters Ariya and Moriya Jutanugarn shot their second 11-under par 59 in best-ball play to capture the LPGA Great Lakes Bay Invitational, taking a three-stroke victory on Saturday over defending champions Cydney Clanton and Jasmine Suwannapura. Ariya, 25, and Moriya, 26, finished at 24-under 256 at windy Midland Country Club golf course in Michigan.

Reuters