eurosport.com - Tour de France 2022: Numbers are nothing if Ineos Grenadiers can’t deliver the killer blow for Geraint Thomas

Tour de France 2022: Numbers are nothing if Ineos Grenadiers can’t deliver the killer blow for Geraint Thomas

There is something admirable – immensely satisfying, even – in watching Geraint Thomas ride his own tempo, stick to his numbers, and claw his way back into contention, time after time, in a Tour de France in which he occupies the third step on the podium. But as pleasing as it is to see this wily form of conservatism trump the all-out brazenness of Tadej Pogacar, it’s not going to see the Welshman to a second Tour triumph four years after the first.

Jamie Clarke shocks Judd Trump at Championship League snooker, Shaun Murphy through

Jamie Clarke held off Judd Trump to win Group 2 at the Championship League with Shaun Murphy topping Group 7 on Tuesday. The 2019 world champion Trump needed a win against Clarke to reach the last 32 after a 2-2 draw with Peng Yisong and 3-1 win over Sean O'Sullivan earlier in the day.

‘Sad’ – Wout van Aert hits out at Nils Eekhoff for unexpected points move on Stage 16 of the Tour de France

Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) has said with a smile that it was “sad” that Nils Eekhoff (Team DSM) surged ahead of him to pick up full points during the intermediate sprint on Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Van Aert started the day on a near-insurmountable tally of 378 in the green jersey points classification with his nearest challenger Tadej Pogacar on 182. Ad/> However the Belgian was peeved when Eekhoff, who started the day on zero points, kicked clear near the line of the only intermediate sprint of the stage at Lavelanet.

Chelsea pip Barcelona to Jules Kounde signing by sending Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to Camp Nou – Paper Round

Chelsea involved in multiple deals for defenders Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, according to the Standard. The 23-year-old has agreed personal terms with Chelsea, but Barcelona are also in the race to secure Kounde’s signature. The report states that Sevilla would rather sell abroad to Chelsea than to a Liga rival and negotiations around a £51-million transfer fee have been ongoing with the Premier League club.

Ellen White beating Wayne Rooney's England record would 'speak volumes' for women's game, says Kelly Smith

Ellen White beating Wayne Rooney's England international goalscoring record of 53 goals would be a seminal moment for the women's game, believes ex-England player Kelly Smith. Smith held the England women's record with 46 goals before White went past her, with the latter now standing on 52 strikes for her country — just one behind Rooney.

'Terrible news for her and for us' - Netherlands' Lieke Martens ruled out of Euros with foot injury

Netherlands midfielder Lieke Martens will play no further part in Euro 2022 after withdrawing from the tournament with a foot injury. Martens, who had already come into the tournament off the back of a different injury, picked up her new complaint in the group-stage match with Switzerland on Sunday which resulted in a 4-1 win for Mark Parsons' side.

‘Today it’s for him’ – Hugo Houle dedicates emotional Stage 16 win to late brother at Tour de France

Canada’s Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) took an emotional win on Stage 16 of the Tour de France and immediately dedicated it to his late brother. It was his first as a professional and the 31-year-old pointed to the sky in memory of his brother Pierrick, who was killed when he was hit by a drunk driver while out running. He was 19.

Ineos, Geraint Thomas and Co. 'were hanging on by their fingernails' at Tour de France – Robbie McEwen

Ineos Grenadiers may have the numerical advantage at the Tour de France but it matters for little without the power, claims 12-time stage winner Robbie McEwen. Ineos were primed for an assault on the yellow jersey in the final week with a full quota of eight riders still in the race, while Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates have thinner support casts to guide Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar through the yellow jersey battle.

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Eurosport.com Sport News

Tour de France 2022: Numbers are nothing if Ineos Grenadiers can’t deliver the killer blow for Geraint Thomas

Jamie Clarke shocks Judd Trump at Championship League snooker, Shaun Murphy through

‘Sad’ – Wout van Aert hits out at Nils Eekhoff for unexpected points move on Stage 16 of the Tour de France

Chelsea pip Barcelona to Jules Kounde signing by sending Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso to Camp Nou – Paper Round

Ellen White beating Wayne Rooney's England record would 'speak volumes' for women's game, says Kelly Smith

'Terrible news for her and for us' - Netherlands' Lieke Martens ruled out of Euros with foot injury

‘Today it’s for him’ – Hugo Houle dedicates emotional Stage 16 win to late brother at Tour de France

Ineos, Geraint Thomas and Co. 'were hanging on by their fingernails' at Tour de France – Robbie McEwen