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☆ South Africa show England how it's won
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-21 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Semi Final - England v South Africa - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - October 21, 2023 South Africa's RG Snyman, Deon Fourie and teammates celebrate after the match as South Africa reach the final REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Oct 21 (Reuters) - England played a wonderful kicking game against South Africa but their inability to score tries and their inferiority in the scrums eventually proved their undoing in their World Cup semi-final loss on Saturday. South Africa won seven of their eight scrums while England could only won three of their seven, and that eventually gave the defending champions the decisive momentum. England have not scored a try against South Africa at a World Cup since the pool phase in 2003. South Africa are current world champions and world number ones for a reason," Borthwick said. It was the second match in a row that South Africa won by a single point after prevailing 29-28 against hosts France last weekend.

Persons: Denis, Deon Fourie, Sarah Meyssonnier, Steve Borthwick's, Owen Farrell, Handre Pollard, Jacques Nienaber's, Ellis Genge, Borthwick, Farrell, Nienaber, It's, Julien Pretot, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, England, Stade de France, Saint, Snyman, Rights, South, South Africa, Springbok, France, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, England

☆ Ruthless South Africa extinguish French fire to reach last four
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

We had good opportunities but unfortunately we couldn't convert them into points," France manager Raphael Ibanez said. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi said the bench was critical. Jonathan Danty was held up and Arendse dived over for South Africa after collecting a fortunate bounce from a speculative kick. With barely time to breathe, South Africa regained control when Kolbe outpaced Damian Penaud with astonishing ease to collect Jesse Kriel's kick and score. Pollard added another penalty before Ramos brought France back within a point, but South Africa defended brilliantly to keep out a late French onslaught.

Persons: France's, Fabien Galthie, Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Mannie, Handre Pollard, Antoine Dupont, scrumhalf, Les Bleus, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Thomas Ramos, Raphael Ibanez, Siya Kolisi, Jacques Nienaber's, Dupont, Baille, Jonathan Danty, Arendse, De Allende, Mauvaka, Kolbe, Damian Penaud, Jesse Kriel's, maul, Ramos, Atonio, Nienaber, Etzebeth, Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ed Osmond Organizations: France, Galthie Springboks, Springboks, England, Kurt, Mauvaka, South, Thomson Locations: Africa, France, England, PARIS, South Africa, South

☆ France expect another brutal clash against South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 11 (Reuters) - South Africa have based their domination on a powerful and skilful pack and France expect to face just that when they meet the holders in the World Cup quarter-finals on Sunday. The Stade de France clash comes 11 months after France earned a 30-26 win in Paris in a brutal affair that saw Pieter Du Toit and Antoine Dupont red carded. About two thirds of that victorious France team should start on Sunday so they know what to expect. They (South Africa) are physical and they're well known for that. Lock Thibaut Flament was replaced early on last November but he had a taste of the South Africa pack.

Persons: Pieter Du Toit, Antoine Dupont, Reda Wardi, Lock Thibaut, We're, Laurent Labit, they've, Emile Ntamack, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Stade de France, France, Springboks, Ireland, RMC Sport, Thomson Locations: South Africa, France, Paris

☆ Uruguay bask in short-lived glory
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Nick Mulvenney | トムソンロイター | Leads Coverage Of Sport Across The Asia-Pacific. Still Reports On The Full Panoply Of Sport. Many Olympics World Cups World Championships Grand Slams Grands Prix | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LYON, France, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Uruguay savoured their victory over Namibia on Wednesday all the more as they were well aware the opportunity to add another World Cup success might not come any time soon. Uruguay has only had three wins in the World Cup, the fourth win was really important. "Now we are going to enjoy the week and then play the best team in the world (New Zealand on Oct. 5). We don't know if we will have a chance to play in the World Cup again." Uruguay coach Esteban Meneses said his team had prepared to make history.

Persons: Andres Vilaseca, Vilaseca, Esteban Meneses, Julien Pretot, Ed Osmond 私 Organizations: Namibia, New Zealand, Italy, Super Rugby Americas, Uruguay's Penarol, Rugby Locations: LYON, France, Uruguay, Italy, Namibia, Zealand, South America

☆ PSG should take action over homophobic chants says French Sports Minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

During the 4-0 win over their rivals at the Parc des Princes, PSG supporters in the Boulogne kop were heard celebrating with homophobic chants aimed at Marseille and a lot of the home crowd clapped along. "It is unthinkable to remain deaf to such hateful and homophobic chants in our stands," Oudea Castera said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter. "Yesterday, these chants spoiled the party at the Parc. "I invite PSG to lodge a complaint to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice so that they can be removed from the stadiums." Oudea Castera added that the matter was now in the hands of French soccer's governing body LFP.

Persons: Sergio Rico, Benoit Tessier, Paris St Germain, Amelie Oudea Castera, Oudea Castera, Julien Pretot, Aadi Nair, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer Football, Paris St Germain, Clermont, de Princes, Rights, Ligue, Olympique de Marseille, France's, Parc des Princes, PSG, Thomson Locations: de, Paris, France, Parc des, Boulogne, Marseille

☆ Kolo Muani and Ramos score maiden PSG goals in win over Marseille
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

PARIS, Sept 24 (Reuters) - Randal Kolo Muani and Goncalo Ramos scored their first goals for Paris St Germain as the French champions crushed bitter rivals Olympique de Marseille 4-0 in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Kolo Muani and Ramos, with a brace, added to Achraf Hakimi's early opener to lift PSG up to third in the standings with 11 points from six games, two behind surprise leaders Stade Brestois. Marseille, who have had a rough week off the field amid a feud with their fans, are seventh on nine points. The night ended with PSG fans in the Boulogne kop celebrating with homophobic chants, and a big part of the crowd clapping along. The chants briefly stopped when Ramos scored the fourth goal after being set up by Kolo Muani at the end of a sharp counter-attack.

Persons: Randal Kolo Muani, Goncalo Ramos, Paris St Germain, Kolo Muani, Ramos, Achraf, Kylian Mbappe, We're, Luis Enrique, Marcelino, Pablo Longoria, Frank McCourt, Jacques Abardonado, Enrique, Hakimi, Mbappe, Marcelo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, Pau Lopez's, Muani, Azzedine, Ilian, Ousmane Dembele's, Morgan Guilavogui, Julien Pretot, Clare Fallon Organizations: Paris St, Olympique de Marseille, Ligue, PSG, Stade Brestois, Parc des Princes, Marseille, OM, Vitinha, RC Lens, Toulouse, Sevilla, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Parc des, Provence, France, Marseille, Boulogne

☆ Ireland come out on top of bruising clash with South Africa
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Top-ranked Ireland claimed a 13-8 statement victory over defending champions South Africa in a high-octane heavyweight World Cup clash that lived up to the hype at a sweltering Stade de France on Saturday. Scotland and Tonga, who both lost their opening game in Pool B, face each other in Nice on Sunday. South Africa captain Siya Kolisi hailed his team's performance despite the loss. South Africa came into the contest with a 7-1 split between forwards and backs on the bench and Ireland boldly looked to keep the ball in play as much as possible, going for the corner instead of kicking early penalties. South Africa got onto the scoreboard first in a brutal start with a Libbok penalty as huge tackles and collisions drew oohs and aahs from the 78,542 crowd.

Persons: Andy Farrell's, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, Jack Crowley, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie, Klerk, Farrell, Siya Kolisi, Hugo Keenan ghosted, Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Hansen, James Lowe, Kolbe darted, Libbok, Crawley, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Ireland, South, Stade de France, Springboks, Scotland, Wales, New Zealand, Thomson Locations: South Africa, Tonga, Nice, Africa, Ireland, France

☆ Dupont underwent surgery on facial injury, will return to squad: FFR
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 23 (Reuters) - France captain Antoine Dupont has undergone surgery on a facial injury and will return to his Rugby World Cup squad to recover, the French federation (FFR) said on Saturday, though it gave no timeline for when the scrumhalf might return to the field. "Following his injury sustained during the France-Namibia match, Antoine Dupont underwent surgery at Toulouse's CHU Purpan on 22 September at around 11 p.m.," the federation said in a statement. "In a few days' time, he will be able to return to the French team as part of a gradual sporting recovery under medical supervision." The FFR did not say when Dupont would be able to play again. France, who are already without flyhalf Romain Ntamack at the World Cup due to injury, next face Italy on Oct. 6.

Persons: Antoine Dupont, Johan Deysel, Dupont, flyhalf Romain Ntamack, Julien Pretot, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby World, Namibia, Thomson Locations: France, Thursday's, Namibia, Italy

The 35-year-old Frenchwoman brought back two bronze medals from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games on the track and she now looks set to take part in the Paris 2024 Olympics after claiming the paracycling road race world title last year. Sport, however, is also a platform for Patouillet, also a gay rights activist, to raise awareness against discrimination on any basis, be it gender, sexual orientation or disability. In 2022, she sported rainbow-coloured hair at the 2022 UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships in a bid to spark conversation on LGBTQIA+ rights. "Athletes who left an impression on me through their activist commitments to fight against discrimination, they are rather Anglo-Saxon. "I hope that the (2024) Games in Paris will give rise, or at least be an opportunity for certain athletes, to speak out on these subjects and that, after that, there will be changes on this."

Persons: Marie Patouillet, Frenchwoman, Patouillet, Dykes, I've, it's, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Tokyo Paralympic Games, French, Reuters, Paralympic, Paralympics Games, French national Institute of Sport, Physical Education, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Paris, France

☆ Very few positives for France after reserves struggle against Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Lock Cameron Woki, a starter in both the New Zealand and Uruguay games, labelled the lack of discipline, which was patent in the scrums, as 'unacceptable' after France had conceded only four penalties against the All Blacks. We started off with a disciplined performance that enabled us to win the match against New Zealand," said Galthie. A World Cup is a long-term adventure, each match is a test and group life is very important," he said. "A match like this strengthens the squad, making it better and stronger for the match (against Namibia) in Marseille in a week." Only hooker Julien Marchand, who sustained a thigh injury in the 27-13 win against New Zealand, is not available.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Pierre Mauroy, Bleus, Melvyn Jaminet, Lock Cameron Woki, you've, Galthie, Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, haven't, There's Anthony, Jelonch, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Uruguay, Rugby, New Zealand, New, France, All Blacks, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Uruguay, Namibia, Marseille, Lyon

☆ South Africa hooker Marx ruled out of World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Rugby Union - Rugby Championship - South Africa v New Zealand - Mbombela Stadium, Mbombela, South Africa - August 6, 2022 New Zealand's Samisoni Taukei'aho in action with South Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - South Africa's World Cup title defence suffered a major blow on Thursday when hooker Malcolm Marx was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament with a long-term knee injury as coach Jacques Nienaber delayed naming a replacement in the squad. The pair were not deemed fit enough when the World Cup squad was announced on Aug. 8 but both played a major role in the team's 2019 triumph. Stormers hooker Joseph Dweba was the nominated standby option when the squad was announced. One of the leading hookers in world rugby, Marx has also been a strong ball carrier for the Springboks and a key source of turnovers at the breakdown. Reporting by Julien Pretot and Nick Said; Editing by Alison Williams; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Africa's Malcolm Marx, Siphiwe, Malcolm Marx, Jacques Nienaber, Nienaber, Bongi Mbonambi, flyhalf Handre Pollard, Pollard, Joseph Dweba, Marx, Malcolm, Deon, Marco, Mbonambi, Van Staden, Julien Pretot, Nick Said, Alison Williams, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, New Zealand, Mbombela, Africa's Malcolm Marx REUTERS, World, Leicester Tigers, South African Rugby, Romania, Sunday, Springboks, Bongi, Thomson Locations: Africa, New, Mbombela, South Africa, Bordeaux

☆ France lock Woki slams team's ill discipline after Uruguay win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LILLE, France, Sept 14 (Reuters) - France lock Cameron Woki labelled his team's showing as "unacceptable" after Les Bleus were penalised 15 times in their 27-12 victory against Uruguay at the World Cup on Thursday. It's unacceptable at international level, we're lucky to win after being penalised so many times," said Woki, who started against the All Blacks in a match France finished with only four penalties against them, prevailing 27-13. France were hit by several injuries before the World Cup, while hooker Julien Marchand picked up a thigh injury last week against New Zealand. At least this time they were spared, with Galthie saying he had no physical problems to report after the Uruguay game. France, who lead Pool A with eight points, next face Namibia on Sept. 21 in Marseille.

Persons: Cameron Woki, Les Bleus, Fabien Galthie, Woki, Galthie, Julien Marchand, Anthony Jelonch, Julien Pretot, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: LILLE, Uruguay, New Zealand, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Namibia, Marseille

☆ Jelonch back as France ring the changes to face Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LILLE, France, Sept 12 (Reuters) - France head coach Fabien Galthie made 12 changes to the team who beat New Zealand in the World Cup curtain raiser as Anthony Jelonch is making a long-awaited comeback to face Uruguay in Lille on Thursday. "He needed a lot of willpower, a lot of fighting spirit to be here with us," Galthie told a press conference on Tuesday. Jelonch, who underwent surgery in March and will captain the team on Thursday, said he went through periods of 'doubt'. From the team who started at the Stade de France, only lock Cameron Woki, centre Yoram Moefana and winger Gabin Villiere will be on the Pierre Mauroy stadium field at kickoff. "They're a South American team who are going to fight with a lot of aggressiveness and a lot of energy," said Galthie.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Anthony Jelonch, Les Bleus, Galthie, Jelonch, I'd, Paul Boudehent, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Antoine Dupont, Antoine Hastoy, Matthieu Jalibert, Melvyn Jaminet, France's, Louis Bielle, Cameron Woki, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere, Pierre Mauroy, Paul Bourgarit, Jean, Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, William Servat, Lock Bastien Chalureau, Italy, Les, Arthur Vincent, Romain Taofifenua, Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Thomas Ramos, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: LILLE, New Zealand, All Blacks, Six Nations, Stade de France, Namibia, France, Fiji, South, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Lille, scrumhalf, flyhalf, A, Marseille, Lyon, South American

☆ France see flaws in their performance despite New Zealand World Cup win
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-09 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Coach Fabien Galthie and his assistants were satisfied with the win against an All Blacks side, who were previously unbeaten in all 31 of their previous World Cup pool games, but they were quick to point out the team's shortcomings in defence. France missed 21 tackles in the first half and assistant coach Laurent Labit was not so happy with Penaud's performance in that area. France, who are assisted by former referee Jerome Garces, who held the whistle in the 2019 World Cup final, produced a disciplined display. Despite their flaws, Les Bleus still crushed the All Blacks to underline their might. "When you look at it it's incredible to score almost 30 points against them," said captain Antoine Dupont.

Persons: Denis, France's Maxime Lucu, Damian Penaud, Cameron Woki, Stephanie Lecocq, Webb Ellis, Les Bleus, Melvyn Jaminet, Fabien Galthie, Laurent Labit, Damian, Labit, Penaud, Jerome Garces, Antoine Dupont, Julien Marchand, Julien Pretot, Mike Harrison Organizations: Rugby Union, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, Saint, Rights, All Blacks, France, Blacks, South, Ireland, Thomson Locations: France, New, Uruguay, Namibia, Italy, South Africa, Lille

☆ Sizzling France down New Zealand in thrilling World Cup opener
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The All Blacks, beaten for the first time in 32 World Cup pool games, had two Mark Telea tries and a sole penalty by Richie Mo'unga to show for themselves. "We felt there was a lot of pressure in the first half, it took, us time to relax and they scored quickly and easily. Sixteen years after losing their opening World Cup game as hosts against Argentina, France rose to the occasion, beating the All Blacks for the second time in a row. New Zealand were on the brink of the line again and surprisingly opted for the kick when France were penalised. France started the second half with a more playful mindset but were punished right away for their defensive nonchalance.

Persons: Ramos, Les Bleus, Damian Penaud, Melvyn Jaminet, Thomas Ramos, Mark Telea, Richie Mo'unga, Romain Ntamack, Paul Willemse, Jonathan Danty, Julien Marchand, It's, Fabien Galthie, Ian Foster's, Foster, Emmanuel Macron, Sam Cane, Tupou Vaa'i, Dalton Papali'i, Cane, Beauden Barrett, Marchand, Mo'unga, Ioane, Matthieu Jalibert, Ardie, Willie Jordan, Jaminet, Julien Pretot, Nick Mulvenney, Toby Davis, Ken Ferris Organizations: Blacks, Rugby, New Zealand, Stade de France, New, Argentina, South, France, All Blacks, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Lille, New Zealand, Namibia, Toulouse, South Africa, New

☆ France's Macron: there can be no Russian flag at Paris 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] French President Emmanuel Macron speaks during a working meeting 500 days ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games at the Paris and Ile-de-France Prefecture in Paris, France March 14, 2023. Ludovic Marin/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 7 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said no Russian flag should fly at next year's Paris Olympics, with Russian athletes' participation an issue for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide. "Of course, there can be no Russian flag during the Paris Games, I think there is a consensus on that matter. "The real question, that the Olympic organisation should decide upon, is what place can be given to the Russian athletes (...) an issue that should not be politicized." Some Ukrainian athletes see their nation's current blanket ban on competing against Russians and Belarusians - regardless of the flag athletes from those two countries compete under - as a self-inflicted wound damaging sports stars' careers.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Ludovic Marin, Macron, Julien Pretot, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: Paralympic Games, Rights, International Olympic Committee, Russian, Paris Games, L'Equipe, Thomson Locations: Paris, Ile, de, France Prefecture, France, Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus

☆ France's Macron: There Can Be No Russian Flag at Paris 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said no Russian flag should fly at next year's Paris Olympics, with Russian athletes' participation an issue for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to decide. Ukraine has threatened a boycott of the Games though it may drop that if athletes from war allies Russia and Belarus compete under a neutral flag rather than national colours. "Of course, there can be no Russian flag during the Paris Games, I think there is a consensus on that matter. "The real question, that the Olympic organisation should decide upon, is what place can be given to the Russian athletes (...) an issue that should not be politicized." Some Ukrainian athletes see their nation's current blanket ban on competing against Russians and Belarusians - regardless of the flag athletes from those two countries compete under - as a self-inflicted wound damaging sports stars' careers.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Julien Pretot, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: PARIS, International Olympic Committee, Russian, Paris Games, L'Equipe Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Russia, Belarus

☆ Vingegaard completes Tour double as Meeus pips Philipsen on Champs Elysees
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, July 23 (Reuters) - Jonas Vingegaard won back-to-back men's Tour de France titles after safely finishing Sunday's final stage, which was won by Belgian Jordi Meeus, while Tadej Pogacar again entertained the crowd. Belgian Jasper Philipsen won the green jersey for the points classification with Italian Giulio Ciccone taking the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification. Pogacar, the 2020 and 2021 Tour champion, won the white jersey for the best under-25 rider for the fourth year in a row. It's been an amazing Tour for us and I'm so proud of every one of us. Sunday's 21st stage was, as usual, a largely processional ride from western Paris, with Vingegaard and his team mates celebrating with glasses of champagne.

Persons: Jonas Vingegaard, Belgian Jordi Meeus, Tadej Pogacar, Briton Adam Yates, Belgian Jasper Philipsen, Giulio Ciccone, Vingegaard's, Visma, It's, Vingegaard, it's, Nathan van Hooydonck, Alexandre Vinokourov, Meeus, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris, Pritha Organizations: de France, Belgian, UAE Emirates, de, Yates, Thomson Locations: Slovenian, Belgian, Paris, Vosges

☆ 'I cracked myself': Pogacar pays price for disrupted Tour preparation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-23 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Vingegaard said his Jumbo-Visma team had a plan to make Pogacar crack, but the 2020 and 2021 champion saw it differently. "I didn't notice, I was going day by day and I didn't see that I was feeling worse and worse. Vingegaard's season is solely focused on the Tour while this year Pogacar sought victories in Milan-Sanremo (4th), the Tour of Flanders (1st) and Paris-Nice (1st). He won the Fleche Wallonne but a crash on the Liege-Bastogne-Liege meant he could not prepare correctly for the Tour. Pogacar also wants to beat Vingegaard on the Tour before possibly moving on to "new challenges".

Persons: Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, de la, Vingegaard, Marie Blanque, la, Eddy Merckx, Mauro Gianetti, Gianetti, Julien Pretot, Toby Davis Organizations: Tour de, Paris, of, Sanremo, of Flanders, Reuters, Giro, Thomson Locations: Slovenian, Pyrenees, Cauterets Cambasque, Milan, Paris, Liege, Bastogne

☆ Vingegaard poised for Tour de France title as Pogacar wins stage
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-22 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LE MARKSTEIN, France, July 22 (Reuters) - Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark was set to win his second Tour de France title after keeping a close tab on his main rival and 20th stage winner Tadej Pogacar in the final mountain ride of the race on Saturday. Overall, Jumbo-Visma rider Vingegaard leads Pogacar by seven minutes and 29 seconds with his United Arab Emirates team mate, Briton Adam Yates, in third position, 10:56 off the pace. Pogacar attacked on the last climb of the day, the Col du Platzerwazel (7.1km at 8.4%), and was followed by Vingegaard and Gall. Enormously popular local boy Pinot, riding his last Tour on his training roads with thousands of fans gathered with flags, beers and flares to support him one last time. Pinot went solo on the ascent to the Petit Ballon, riding as stage leader through a sea of roaring fans like a man possessed.

Persons: MARKSTEIN, Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar, Pogacar, Austrian Felix Gall, Vingegaard, Briton Adam Yates, Giulio Ciccone, Belgian Jasper Philipsen, du Platzerwazel, Gall, Thibaut, Warren Barguil, Tom Pidcock, Yates, Simon, Adam, Pinot, Petit Ballon, Julien Pretot, Andrew Cawthorne, Hugh Lawson Organizations: de France, United Arab Emirates, Lombardia, Thomson Locations: France, Denmark, Belfort, Austrian, Belgian, Paris

☆ Vingegaard marches towards Tour de France title as Pogacar explodes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-19 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 17 - Saint-Gervais Mont Blanc to Courchevel - France - July 19, 2023 AG2R Citroen Team's Felix Gall celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win stage 17 REUTERS/Stephane MaheCOURCHEVEL, France, July 19 (Reuters) - Jonas Vingegaard made a giant stride towards a second consecutive Tour de France title when crash-hit rival Tadej Pogacar cracked in the toughest stage of the race on Wednesday. What was a 10-second gap two days ago is now an unbridgeable 7:35 gap after Pogacar huffed and puffed over the line more than five minutes behind Jumbo-Visma leader Vingegaard. "I'm relieved to have more than seven minutes but we're not in Paris yet, there's some tricky stages left, still," said Vingegaard. Vingegaard slowed down and zig-zagged through to continue his demolition work until the line, which he crossed with a big smile on his face. Also why do they let cars pass us when the gap between the groups of riders is just 15 seconds?"

Persons: Gervais Mont, Team's Felix Gall, Stephane Mahe COURCHEVEL, Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej Pogacar, Vingegaard, la, Felix Gall of Austria, Saint Gervais, I'm, Pogacar, Benoot, Marc Soler, Griescha Niermann, Jonas, Thibaut Pinot, Julien Pretot, David Goodman, Mike Harrison Organizations: de, de France, UAE Emirates, Thomson Locations: Gervais Mont Blanc, Courchevel, France, Saint, Paris

☆ Tour leader Vingegaard welcomes scepticism about performances
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SAINT GERVAIS, France, July 16 (Reuters) - Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogacar have made such a huge impression in the Tour de France that, in a sport that was marred by doping scandals, doubts about their performances have arisen but Denmark's defending champion welcomes the scepticism. On Sunday, Pogacar and Vingegaard clocked 18:27 on the final climb, beating four-time Tour winner Chris Froome's record by 42 seconds. "So yes, I fully understand the questions we're getting about it (our performances)," said Vingegaard. In 2006, Floyd Landis became the first Tour winner to fail a drugs test during the race after testing positive for the male sex hormone testosterone. The Kazakh’s Astana team left the Tour and sacked Vinokourov, who denied any wrongdoing, and Tour leader Michael Rasmussen was then fired by his Rabobank team during the race for lying about his whereabouts in training.

Persons: SAINT GERVAIS, Jonas Vingegaard, Tadej, France's Guillaume Martin, Dane, Carlos Rodriguez, Vingegaard, Chris Froome's, Marco Pantani, Joux, it's, Lance Armstrong, Jan Ullrich, Giro, Ivan Basso, Floyd Landis, Alexandre Vinokourov, Vinokourov, Michael Rasmussen, Julien Pretot, Ken Ferris Organizations: Tour de, Slovenian, Cycling, Kazakh’s Astana, Rabobank, Thomson Locations: France, Slovenian, Puerto

☆ Tour de France stage 14 resumes after big crash
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ANNEMASSE, France, July 15 (Reuters) - There were scenes of tears and pain as the 14th stage of the Tour de France turned into carnage, being halted for 25 minutes after a massive crash at the back of the peloton before two more riders hit the deck hard later on Saturday. The main incident occurred on a slippery descent with 146km left in the stage, with Movistar rider Antonio Pedrero forced to abandon the race after being carried off on a stretcher. In the descent of the Col de Saxel, France's Romain Bardet, second in the 2016 Tour de France, crashed on a bend at 60kph and after a long discussion with doctors, pulled out of the race, hiding tears behind his hands. Chaves's EF EasyPost team mate James Shaw crashed along with Bardet and the Briton was carried away on a stretcher. Reporting by Julien Pretot and Aadi Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antonio Pedrero, African Louis Meintjes, Colombian Esteban Chaves, Ramon Sinkeldam, de Saxel, France's Romain Bardet, James Shaw, Julien Pretot, Aadi Nair, Ed Osmond Organizations: Tour de France, de France, Briton, Thomson Locations: ANNEMASSE, France, African, Colombian, Morzine, 60kph, Bengaluru

☆ Mr president, please return the Mona Lisa to Italy, says Tour rider Bettiol
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BORDEAUX, France, July 7 (Reuters) - Italian Tour de France rider Alberto Bettiol took to social media on Friday to ask French President Emmanuel Macron to return the Mona Lisa to his home country. "Monsieur le Président, please give us back the Monna Lisa and thanks for coming to the Tour," Bettiol tweeted, using the Italian spelling for Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece. Macron paid a visit to the world's greatest cycling race on Thursday, where he shook hands with Bettiol, of the EF Education EasyPost team. It was kept it at the Palace at Fontainebleau, where it remained until King Louis XIV moved the painting to the Palace of Versailles. Following the French Revolution it was moved to the Louvre museum where it is still displayed.

Persons: Alberto Bettiol, Emmanuel Macron, Mona Lisa, Monsieur le Président, Lisa, Bettiol, Leonardo da, Macron, Da Vinci, France's King Francis I, King Louis XIV, Vincenzo Peruggia, Julien Pretot, Ros Russell Organizations: de, EF Education EasyPost, Thomson Locations: BORDEAUX, France, Italy, Loire, Fontainebleau, of Versailles, Florence

☆ Mix of calm and concern as cycling's Tour heads into riot-hit France
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

After a start in Bilbao, Spain, the Tour heads to France on Monday with visits to Bayonne, Dax, Pau and Bordeaux during the week. Foreign team members have confessed not knowing much about the situation in France, arguing they are in a 'bubble' on the Tour de France. Tour de France organisers say they are ready to adjust to any situation. "I don't really have any comment on it, that's one for the authorities who are working very hard," Rod Ellingworth, the racing director of the Ineos-Grenadiers team, told Reuters. "The organisers did not even mention it at the team meeting (before the start of the race).

Persons: Prudhomme, Rod Ellingworth, Philippe Mauduit, Adrien Petit, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: SEBASTIAN, Tour de, Tour de France, de France, State, Grenadiers, Reuters, Citroen, Thomson Locations: Spain, Bilbao, France, Bayonne, Dax, Pau, Bordeaux, North

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