Cycling
Matthews increases Paris-Nice lead
COMMENTRY, France – Race leader Michael Matthews won the second stage of Paris-Nice on Tuesday after Nacer Bouhanni was penalized for deviating from his line in the final sprint.
It was Matthews’ second stage victory in three days after winning Sunday’s prologue.
Matthews crossed the finish line in second position at the end of the 213.5-kilometer ride between Contres and Commentry in central France, but Bouhanni was sanctioned for improperly blocking his Australian rival.
Bouhanni leaned on Matthews as they bumped into each other and looked like they might fall. They shouted at each other after the finish.
With the time bonus, Matthews now leads Tom Dumoulin of the Netherlands by 14 seconds, with Patrick Bevin of New Zealand in third place, 19 seconds off the pace.
NFL
Lions star WR Johnson retires after 9 seasons
DETROIT – Calvin Johnson has retired.
The 30-year-old receiver, known as Megatron, announced his decision Tuesday to walk away from the NFL after nine mostly spectacular seasons with the Detroit Lions.
Johnson had 88 receptions for 1,214 yards and nine touchdowns last season, playing through lingering injuries as he often did. He has 731 career receptions for 11,619 yards and 83 TDs. Johnson broke one of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s records with 1,964 yards receiving in 2012, a total Atlanta’s Julio Jones approached last season.
Colts re-sign NFL’s oldest player, Vinatieri, 43
INDIANAPOLIS – Kicker Adam Vinatieri, the NFL’s oldest player, has agreed to terms to remain with the Indianapolis Colts.
The team announced the agreement with the 43-year-old four-time Super Bowl champion on Tuesday, one day before NFL free agency begins.
Vinatieri has been with the Colts for 10 seasons, including the 2006 NFL championship season. He also won three titles with the Patriots before joining Indianapolis as a free agent.
He holds career postseason records for points scored (234), field goals (56) and extra points (66).
Sled Dog Racing
Petit, Mackey among early leaders in 2016 Iditarod
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Nicolas Petit has taken the early lead in the 2016 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.
Petit is the first musher in to Nikolai. He reached the village at 8:41 a.m. Tuesday, passing four-time champion and previous leader Lance Mackey.
Mackey left the Rohn checkpoint just before 7 p.m. Monday.
Reigning champ and three-time winner Dallas Seavey left Rohn an hour and 8 minutes after Mackey at 7:44 p.m.
Tuesday is the third day of the 1,000-mile race to Nome.
The competitive portion of the race with 85 teams began Sunday in Willow.
Soccer
FIFA agent pleads guilty to corruption charges
NEW YORK – Prosecutors say a Colombian match agent licensed by FIFA has pleaded guilty to money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy.
Miguel Trujillo entered the plea Tuesday in Brooklyn for his role in a scheme to bribe FIFA (FEE’-fuh) officials.
Trujillo, a legal permanent U.S. resident based in Florida, was licensed by FIFA to negotiate and arrange matches between FIFA member associations.
Authorities said that beginning in 2008, he paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes to high-ranking officials of FIFA and soccer federations in Central America and the Caribbean in schemes involving media and marketing contracts.
Associated Press
