19/07/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 19, 2025

27

Pogacar shows who’s boss

Three-time Tour winner retakes lead in crushing mountain win

T ADEJ POGACAR said he was in the form of his life after climbing to a commanding Tour de France stage win on the Hautacam mountain in the Pyrenees yesterday. The three-time Tour winner punished his key rival Jonas Vingegaard on stage 12 as he left him trying to limit the damage on the first major mountain on the 21-day race. Team UAE leader Pogacar skipped away on an 11km solo ascent to finish two minutes and 10 seconds ahead of Vingegaard, who refrained from trying to follow the blistering attack. Overnight leader Ben Healy of Ireland meanwhile wilted to a 13min deficit on the day. French President Emmanuel Macron was on hand at the mountaintop finish, shaking his head in admiration as the 26-year-old shot across the line. Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel was also left trying to limit his losses, finishing 3min 35sec down in seventh on the 180.6km ride from Auch. In the overall standings Pogacar now leads by 3min 31sec over Visma rider Vingegaard while Evenepoel is third at a daunting 4min 45sec.

JASPRIT BUMRAH has been India’s standout bowler in the ongoing series against England – his seven wicket haul at Lord’s nearly turned the tide. Yet, with the series delicately poised and England leading 2-1, a crucial question looms: will the world’s top-ranked Test bowler take the field for the fourth Test at Old Trafford? A definitive answer should come by the eve of the fourth Test, which begins on July 23, but yesterday India hinted that Privitera who died aged 19 following a fall at this week’s Tour of the Aoste Valley-Mont Blanc. “I was thinking of him in the final kilometre. This sport can be so hard. It’s so sad,” Pogacar said. Pogacar also took over the polka dot king of the mountain jersey while Jonathan Milan has the green sprint jersey and Evenepoel the white jersey as the best young rider. Healy described his time in yellow as a “whirlwind” after dropping to 11th, over 13min off the pace. There were three mountains on the menu yesterday as the peloton entered the Pyrenees. The pack was whittled down before Pogacar’s astonishing attack on the fabled Hautacam, a 13.6km ascent at 7.8% gradient. – AFP reacts after a crash. It wasn’t so bad. The team did a super job.” The champion had kind words for Irishman Healy, who had a bruising day himself. “Healy tried, he showed big spirit. “It was hard for everybody today,” said Pogacar. He also dedicated this win to Italian junior cyclist Samuele

Pogacar admitted after the race that until now he’s been cranky, complaining about attacks, the heat and tiredness. But he offered a different story in the Pyrenees. “I could see that Visma weren’t feeling so well,” he said. “On the last climb it was really hot but I was really feeling good,” he said, explaining how he shattered the 12 man group still clinging on at the foot of the final climb. He also offered a broader explanation. “This is the best moment of my career. It’s been like a fairytale,” he said of the stage win on a mountain where he had previously been beaten. “I enjoy this sufferfest,” he said of the long climb days. “I’m at the peak of my career. “Once this fire goes out, my performance will drop.” Pogacar admitted at the finish line his team had been secretly targeting this stage for some time. “The plan was to win this stage,” he said. “I’m super happy to take time and win on this particular climb,” said Pogacar, who fell heavily on stage 11. “You don’t know how your body

Tadej Pogacar. – AFPPIC

India’s Boom Boom conundrum

Jobs

302

Championship cycle. While the visitors have competed well over large parts of the series, they’ve faltered at key moments, surrendering control over two decisive days to lose two Tests. India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar had said before the tour that Jasprit would play only three of the five Tests, as part of his post-injury workload management. But now, with two must-win games ahead, that plan is under serious review. Captain Shubman Gill offered no clarity at Lord’s, saying simply, “You’ll get to know soon,”when asked about Jasprit’s availability. Jasprit’s workload and fitness management have sparked wide ranging debates among former players and experts. Given his history with injuries, the management has been cautious about his use in multi-Test series. However, the team’s performance in his absence has brought the policy under renewed scrutiny. – Agencies

session in Beckenham before the visitors head to Manchester today. “We know we have got him for one of the last two Tests. It’s pretty obvious that the series on the line now in Manchester so there will be a leaning towards playing him. “But again, we have got to look at all the factors: how many days of cricket are we going to get up there, what do we feel is our best chance of winning that game, and then how that fits in together with The Oval. And looking at the last two games holistically as part of the series.”

1

MEDIA SALES - Specialist

Job Description • Building and sustaining strong working relationship with advertising agencies and clients. • New business development and business retention. • Conceptualise, plan and execute creative and innovative marketing campaigns to enhance brand visibility and engagement. • Create, develop and continuously improve marketing material, presentations and proposals that showcase our products/services effectively. Requirements • SPM level with at least two years of experience. • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in business, marketing or other related fields. • Fresh graduates are encouraged to apply, training will be provided. • Good communication, presentation, problem-solving and organisational skills. • Passionate in client servicing. • Possess own transport and willing to travel. • Able to start work immediately. Office based in

they are “leaning” towards Jasprit playing at Old Trafford. “No, we’ll make that

A defeat in Manchester would end India’s hopes of winning

call (on Jasprit) in Manchester still,” India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate said as per espncricinfo.com after the squad’s one-off training

the series – and derail t h e i r campaign in the new World Test

Jasprit Bumrah. – REUTERSPIC

Pacquiao eyes comeback upset in Barrios showdown THIRTY years after clambering through the ropes for his first professional fight as a skinny 16-year old, Manny Pacquiao returns to the ring once more tomorrow (11am Malaysian time) for the latest round of his protracted battle with Father Time. The 46-year-old Filipino icon takes on World Boxing Council world in May when he announced that he planned to end his four-year exile from the sport to challenge Barrios, taking advantage of a WBC rule that allows former champions to request an immediate title fight when coming out of retirement. publicity tour. “Especially these situations – being interviewed, press conference, training camp, everything like that. “I missed that. But it has been good for me – I’ve rested my body for four years. And now I come back.”

Advertise with us & connect to our urban readers. KLANG VALLEY PENANG | KEDAH PERAK | PERLIS PAHANG | KELANTAN TERENGGANU MS. Shoba / MS. Balqish TEL: 03-7784 8888 WHATSAPP: 018 261 6626 MALACCA MR. Rajah Petaling Jaya (Five-day week)

MEDIA SALES - Representative/Agent (Freelance)

2

Requirement • Minimum one year sales experience in classified ad, print and digital advertising. •Those without sales experience but with media advertising knowledge may also apply. • Attractive commission package and incentives. • Able to start immediately. • Central, Northern, Southern, East Coast and Sabah/Sarawak.

Sceptics though have voiced concern that Pacquiao, whose last professional win came in 2019, may have bitten off more than he can chew by exercising his right for a title shot against a defending champion Barrios who is 16 years his junior and in the prime of his career. – AFP

Pacquiao, who is reportedly set to receive between US$5-10 million (RM21m-42m) for the fight, says his comeback is motivated by his passion for the sport and the adrenaline rush of headlining a Sin City fight night. “I’m returning because I miss my boxing,” Pacquiao said during a recent

welterweight champion Mario Barrios at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas chasing another milestone to crown his glittering 30-year professional career. Pacquiao stunned the boxing

TEL: 012-628 2844 FAX: 06-764 2051 JOHOR BAHRU MS. Anne Lim TEL: 013-770 6699 FAX: 07-355 5549

Send in your CV with your photo via email to : thesun.hr2@gmail.com