Cycling
Astana rider reportedly facing Tour de France exit
UTRECHT, Netherlands – Tour de France champion Vincenzo Nibali’s Astana team issued a “no comment” after teammate Lars Boom tested with an abnormally low cortisol level.
Astana is part of the Movement for Credible Cycling, a group of teams holding to stricter anti-doping measures than those of cycling’s governing body. MPCC rules stipulate that a rider with a low cortisol level should be prescribed with a period of rest.
Low cortisol levels can indicate cortisone doping but are not a conclusive proof of doping, meaning that Boom will be allowed to start Saturday’s first stage if Astana decides to go against the MPCC recommendations.
Golf
Woods in contention; Langley, Vegas share lead
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – Jhonattan Vegas shot a 5-under-par 65 Friday to tie Scott Langley for the lead after the second round of the Greenbrier Classic.
They were at 9-under 131 on the Old White TPC course in West Virginia.
Twenty-three golfers were within three shots of the lead, including seven at 8 under.
Tiger Woods made little progress after a solid first round but avoided missing consecutive cuts for the first time as a pro. Woods shot 69 on Friday and was at 5 under.
Frenchman looking to win home tournament
PARIS – Home favorite Victor Dubuisson was in a three-way tie for the lead after the second round of the French Open on Friday, while Ryder Cup teammate Graeme McDowell’s bid for a third successive title came to an early end.
Dubuisson and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello had been part of a four-way tie for the lead after the weather-delayed opening round was completed in the morning, and they both carded a 1-under 70 in the second to finish the day level with Martin Kaymer (69). They had a 4-under 138 total.
NBA
Lob City loses a big piece of squad to the Mavericks
DALLAS – DeAndre Jordan chose the Mavericks over the Los Angeles Clippers in what turned into a tense boom-or-bust wait for Dallas in pursuit of the free-agent center.
Jordan agreed to terms Friday. The deal is worth $80 million over four years.
This is the biggest free-agent pickup in Mark Cuban’s 15 years as Dallas owner. The deal came two days after the Mavericks lost their backup plan when last season’s starter, Tyson Chandler, bolted for Phoenix.
Soccer
Goals come in bunches for U.S. in final tuneup
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Clint Dempsey converted a penalty kick in his return from a suspension for a confrontation with a referee, Timmy Chandler scored his first international goal, and the United States routed Guatemala 4-0 on Friday night in an exhibition ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Just after goalkeeper Paulo Motta saved Jozy Altidore’s penalty kick, the Americans went ahead on an own goal in the 19th minute, when Carlos Castrillo headed a cross from 6 yards into his own goal.
Playing his 22nd international match, Chandler doubled the lead in the 58th minute. Dempsey, replaced as captain by Michael Bradley, converted the penalty kick in the 72nd minute after Castrillo fouled Bradley. Chris Wondolowski had a tap-in in the 86th minute after Gyasi Zardes dribbled the ball to the end line and cut it back.
The U.S. will open the defense of its Gold Cup title Tuesday. If the Americans win the tournament, the championship of North and Central America and the Caribbean, they would qualify for the 2017 Confederations Cup.
Associated Press
