Auto Racing
Busch passes the rookie test for the Indianapolis 500
INDIANAPOLIS – Kurt Busch is the first driver this year to pass rookie orientation for the Indianapolis 500.
The 2004 Sprint Cup champion came to Indy this week to test himself on the 2.5-mile oval in one of Michael Andretti’s IndyCars. He wound up completing all three phases of the rookie test, the last requiring him to turn 10 laps in excess of 210 mph. He posted a lap of 214 mph early in the practice that lasted a little more than five hours.
Busch’s name does not actually appear on Indy’s entry list yet, but he has three advantages over other drivers looking for late rides: a fitted seat, a complete rookie test and an interested team owner with an available car.
Cycling
Cavendish sprints to Stage 6 win and his 99th overall
MARGHERITA DI SAVOIA, Italy – Mark Cavendish dominated the sprint finish of the sixth stage Thursday of the Giro d’Italia for his second victory in this month’s race, while Luca Paolini’s overall lead remained unchanged.
Cavendish dedicated the victory to Belgian rider Wouter Weylandt, who died exactly two years ago after clipping a wall and crashing during a descent at the Giro.
Cavendish, the British standout with the Omega Pharma-Quick Step team, clocked almost four hours over the mostly flat 104-mile leg from Mola di Bari to Margherita di Savoia.
It was the 12th Giro stage win of Cavendish’s career and his 99th victory overall. In cycling’s three Grand Tours, the Giro, Tour de France and Spanish Vuelta, Cavendish has won a combined 38 stages.
In the overall standings, Paolini remained 17 seconds ahead of Rigoberto Uran, a Colombian with Sky and 26 seconds in front of Benat Intxausti Elorriaga, a Spaniard with Movistar.
Hockey
Russia shocked by France 2-1 at ice hockey worlds
HELSINKI – Defending champion Russia was upset 2-1 by France, which shocked a team dominated by NHL and KHL players at hockey worlds Thursday.
Russia lost to a group of mainly French league players, who ended its 13-match winning streak at the world championship.
Antoine Roussel, France’s lone NHL player, scored the game-winner at 16 minutes, 48 seconds when he broke in from the left and backhanded through Vasili Koshechkin’s legs.
Both teams fielded their third-string goalkeepers. France’s Florian Hardy finished with 28 saves and Koshechkin 17.
Soccer
Moyes will fill Sir Ferguson’s shoes at Manchester United
MANCHESTER, England – Manchester United on Thursday handed David Moyes one of the toughest and most coveted jobs in soccer – succeeding Alex Ferguson as manager of the 20-time English champions.
Moyes is leaving Everton to replace Ferguson, who announced Wednesday he is retiring after nearly 27 years at Old Trafford.
United said Moyes received a six-year deal and will take charge of the newly crowned Premier League champions July 1.
The 50-year-old Moyes is replacing the most successful manager in British soccer history. Ferguson produced 13 of United’s 20 English titles and a string of other titles, including three European Cups.
Moyes’ arrival should help ensure a smooth transition between the Scotsmen. The 71-year-old Ferguson remains at United as a director.
USA drops one spot to 29th in the FIFA rankings
ZURICH – The United States dropped one spot to 29th in the FIFA rankings.
World and European champion Spain held the top spot for the 19th consecutive month, and the top 10 remained unchanged: Germany was second, followed by Argentina, Croatia, Portugal, Colombia, England, Italy, Netherlands and Ecuador.
Associated Press
