sport news: Agustus 2015

Champion elect Chris Froome to Reclaim Tour de France Crown

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Eidlan

Team Sky's Chris Froome is all but assured of a second Tour de France crown following Saturday's penultimate stage.

Published: July 25, 2015 at 11:44 Updated: July 25, 2015 at 01:54

Chris Froome

Photo by Getty Images

Chris Froome will reclaim the Tour de France title on Sunday after ending the penultimate stage at the top of the general classification.

The Team Sky rider valiantly kept touch with closest rival Nairo Quintana of Movistar on the approach to Alpe d'Huez on Saturday, eventually finishing one minute and 20 seconds behind the determined Colombian in a thrilling finish.

With only the traditional procession to Paris to come, Froome's lead of just over a minute in the general classification is enough to all but assure him of a second Tour crown.

Froome last won the yellow jersey in 2013 but his defence of the title came to a heartbreaking end as he crashed out last year.

His route back to glory has not been without its setbacks. The Kenya-born rider has been plagued in recent weeks by accusations of doping - vehemently denied by Froome and Team Sky.

Froome also claims to have been spat on and had urine thrown in his face during the 21-stage race, but he showed tremendous grit and determination to deny Quintana a dramatic victory.

Thibaut Pinot won stage 20 by 18 seconds from Quintana.

Lars Bak, Nicolas Edet, Alexandre Geniez and Ramunas Navardauskas mounted an ambitious early break, with the peloton happy to allow the quartet to take the race at their own pace.

The leading four were more than seven minutes clear by the time they reached the foot of Col de la Croix de Fer, before Lampre-Merida's Ruben Plaza Molina decided to break from the chasing group and the peloton scattered somewhat.

The peloton then started to close the gap on the leaders and Alejandro Valverde made a break, soon followed by team-mate Quintana.

Team Sky prevented Quintana from building too big an advantage and, after Froome had left his supporting cast behind in pursuit of the Colombian, the British outfit acted to re-establish order.

Meanwhile, out in front, leader Geniez tired and FDJ's Pinot moved into top spot.

The persistent Quintana, with the help of Valverde, tried time and again to make a telling break as the race entered its final 12km, but Froome and Sky repeatedly reeled in the Movistar man.

And Quintana's best efforts ultimately proved to be in vain as - in his chase of stage winner Pinot - he failed to open up a big enough gap over Froome on the challenging final climb, with the Sky rider adding the polka-dot jersey to his maillot jaune.

Peter Sagan clinched the green jersey as the top sprinter on the Tour, while Quintana topped the young rider classification - scant consolation for missing out on the top prize

Martinez allays Lukaku fears

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Eidlan

A hamstring suffered by Romelu Lukaku in Everton's pre-season win at Dundee will not keep him out of Premier League action.

Published: August 01, 2015 at 12:45

Roberto Martinez is confident that striker Romelu Lukaku will be fit for the start of Everton's Premier League campaign, despite suffering a hamstring injury in pre-season.

Lukaku has four goals to his name in five pre-season outings, though the last of those saw him limp off against Dundee.

A youthful Everton side were beaten 2-0 by Leeds United on Saturday, with a more senior line-up expected when Martinez's men round off their pre-season campaign against Villarreal.

Lukaku is unlikely to feature against the Liga side on Sunday as Martinez looks to build his star striker's fitness for the visit of newly promoted Watford on the opening day.

"We'll assess him [ahead of the game against Villarreal]," Martinez told the club's official website.

"I don't think we're going to take any risks with him on Sunday.

"I would say from a medical point of view, he is fully fit. It is just a case of making sure we give him a good introduction to work with the group because he's not had a chance to do that yet.

"I wouldn't risk him in a pre-season game - but Rom will be fully fit for the start of the season against Watford at home."

Lens and Pantilimon star as Sunderland beat Hannover

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Eidlan

new signing Jeremain Lens and goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon were Sunderland's heroes as they edged out Hannover in Germany.

Published: August 01, 2015 at 12:59

A 74th-minute goal from Jeremain Lens secured Sunderland a battling 1-0 friendly win over Hannover at the HDI Arena.

The Dutchman's first goal for the club was an eye-catching strike from just outside the box, but the visitors' victory owed as much to goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon, who saved a penalty in the 89th minute.

John O'Shea was harshly adjudged to have brought down Charlison Benschop in the box, but justice was served as Pantilimon pulled off a superb double save to preserve his side's hard-earned lead.

In a game of few chances, Jermain Defoe went close to giving Sunderland an early advantage with a snap-shot that found the side-netting, while the hosts' most threatening moment was provided by Edgar Prib, who saw his 24th-minute strike parried away by Pantilimon.

The result marked a positive response from the visitors to the disappointing midweek 2-0 defeat to Doncaster Rovers and boss Dick Advocaat will be heartened by impressive performances from Younes Kaboul, Sebastian Coates and midfielder Lens.

Sunderland open their Premier League campaign next Saturday with a trip to Leicester City

Meet the most popular athletes in Facebook and Twitter who also reached Forbes' 100 highest-paid athletes.

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Unknown

Rich & Popular
Meet the most popular athletes in Facebook and Twitter who also reached Forbes' 100 highest-paid athletes.
Ricos & Populares
Averigua en qué lugar está Kobe Bryant entre los atletas más populares en redes sociales que están entre los mejor pagos según Forbes.

1. LeBron James (43.7 million followers)
American NBA player (Cleveland Cavaliers), who earned U$64.8 million, has 22.7 million followers on Twitter and 21 million on Facebook.
El jugador estadounidense de la NBA (Cleveland Cavaliers), quien ganó U $ 64.8 millones, cuenta con 22.7 millones de seguidores en Twitter y 21 millones en Facebook.

2. Kobe Bryant (27.04 million followers)
American NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers), who earned U$61.5 million, has 20 million followers on Facebook and 7.04 million on Twitter.
El jugador estadounidense de la NBA (Los Angeles Lakers), quien ganó U 61,5 millones dólares, tiene 20 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 7.04 millones en Twitter.

3. Rafael Nadal (22.28 million followers)
Spanish tennis player, who earned U$32.5 million, has 14 million followers on Facebook and 8.28 million on Twitter.
El tenista español, que ganó U $ 32.5 millones, tiene 14 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 8.28 millones en Twitter.

4. Kevin Durant (21.1 million followers)
American NBA player (Oklahoma City Thunder), who earned U$54.2 million, has 9.7 million followers on Facebook and 11.4 million on Twitter.
El jugador estadounidense de la NBA (Oklahoma City Thunder), quien ganó U $ 54.2 millones, tiene 9.7 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 11.4 millones en Twitter.

5. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (19.44 million followers)
Indian cricket player, who earned U$31 million, has 4.44 million followers on Twitter and 15 million on Facebook.
El jugador de cricket indio, que ganó U $ 31 millones, tiene 4.44 millones de seguidores en Twitter y 15 millones en Facebook.

6. Floyd Mayweather (17.33 million followers)
American boxer, who earned U$300 million, has 6.33 million followers on Twitter and 11 millions on Facebook.
El boxeador estadounidense, quien ganó U $ 300 millones, tiene 6.33 millones de seguidores en Twitter y 11 millones en Facebook.

7. Roger Federer (17.23 million followers)
Swiss tennis player, who earned U$67 million, has 14 million followers on Facebook and 3.23 million on Twitter.
El tenista suizo, que ganó U $ 67 millones tiene 14 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 3.23 millones en Twitter.

7. Roger Federer (17.23 million followers)
Swiss tennis player, who earned U$67 million, has 14 million followers on Facebook and 3.23 million on Twitter.
El tenista suizo, que ganó U $ 67 millones tiene 14 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 3.23 millones en Twitter.

8. Dwyane Wade (15.86 million followers)
American NBA player (Miami Heat), who earned U$27.2 million, has 11 million followers on Facebook and 4.86 million on Twitter.
El jugador estadounidense de la NBA (Miami Heat), quien ganó U $ 27.2 millones, tiene 11 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 4.86 millones en Twitter.

9. Derrick Rose (12.32 million followers)
American NBA player (Chicago Bulls), who earned U$33.9 million, has 10 million followers on Facebook and 2.32 million on Twitter.
El jugador de la NBA estadounidense (Chicago Bulls), quien ganó U $ 33.9 millones, tiene 10 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 2.32 millones en Twitter.

10. Carmelo Anthony (12.21 million followers)
American NBA player (New York Knicks), who earned U$30.5 million, has 5.2 million followers on Facebook and 7.01 million on Twitter.
El jugador estadounidense de la NBA (New York Knicks), quien ganó U $ 30.5 millones, tiene 5,2 millones de seguidores en Facebook y 7.01 millones en Twitter.