Cycling
Following injury, Hofland back in the winning saddle
CEDAR CITY, Utah – Moreno Hofland announced his return from a serious injury by using a textbook lead-out from his Belkin teammates to win the opening stage of the Tour of Utah on Monday.
The 22-year-old Dutch sprinter, who fractured ribs and vertebrae in his lower back at the Tour of California earlier, edged out SmartStop’s Jure Kocjan and Lampre-Merida’s Andrea Palini.
The 113.5-mile stage to open the 10th edition of the Tour of Utah took riders through the Parowan Gap and Cedar Breaks National Monument before returning to Cedar City, where the field bunched on the final circuit through town to set up the sprint finish.
The top overall contenders, including defending champion Tom Danielson and former Grand Tour winners Ivan Basso, Cadel Evans and Chris Horner finished safely in the peloton.
Italy court reopens probe into the death of Pantani
RIMINI, Italy – Italian prosecutors have reopened an investigation into the death of cyclist Marco Pantani after his family presented evidence contending the former Tour de France winner was murdered.
Pantani, who won both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in 1998, was found dead in a Rimini hotel room on Feb. 14, 2004. A coroner ruled he died from an overdose of cocaine.
The cyclist’s mother, Tonina Pantani, has always claimed her son was murdered, alleging that he was forced him to drink a lethal dose of cocaine dissolved in liquid.
NFL
Favre’s iconic No. 4 set to be retired by the Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre will be inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame and have his jersey retired next year.
Favre wrote on his official website that it will be an honor to have his name placed among others such as Curly Lambeau, Vince Lobardi, Ray Nitschke and Bart Starr, to name a few.
Favre said it wouldn’t be possible if not for the foresight of former general manager Ron Wolf, who he says is the greatest GM in the history of the NFL.
It’s been six years since Favre ‘retired’ from the Packers, tried to return, then went on to play for the New York Jets and rival Minnesota Vikings.
Dalton sees the dollars flood in from deal with the Bengals
CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals made Andy Dalton one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league.
Dalton signed a six-year extension on Monday. According to multiple reports, the deal is worth up to $115 million and will prevent Dalton playing out the final year of his rookie contract.
Dalton has passed for more than 3,000 yards in each of his three seasons. He led the Bengals to an 11-5 record and AFC North title in 2013. He set career highs with 33 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions.
Dalton has been criticized for throwing six interceptions with only one touchdown in three playoff losses.
Wilson waves goodbye to the Giants, NFL playing career
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – New York Giants running back David Wilson’s NFL career is over because of a back and neck injuries.
The 23-year-old Wilson was told by doctors Monday that he risked more serious problems if he kept playing. He underwent fusion surgery to repair vertebrae and a herniated disk in his neck in January. At practice last Tuesday, he caught a pass and ran with his head down into the back of an offensive lineman, a hit that caused numbness in his hands and lower extremities.
He missed the last 11 games last season after being diagnosed with spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal cord.
Wilson said: “I don’t want anybody to feel sorry for me, or pity me. I lived my dream.”
The 2012 first-round pick played two seasons with the Giants.
Associated Press
