Cycling
Van Poppel overcomes early flat tire for stage win
LLEIDA, Spain – Danny Van Poppel of the Netherlands won the 12th stage of the Spanish Vuelta in a mass sprint for the finish line, while Fabio Aru remained in the red jersey Thursday.
Van Poppel recovered well after repairing a tire six miles from the end of the 107-mile mainly downhill ride from Andorra through the Pyrenees Mountains to Lleida.
Daryl Impey of South Africa was second, and Tosh Van der Sande of Belgium third, both on the same time as Van Poppel.
His father Jean-Paul was also a sprint specialist, while his mother Leontien van der Liended, and his older brother Boy – who finished 153rd on Thursday – are also professional cyclists.
John Degenkolb of Germany, who won four stages last year and none so far this year, tried hard to catch the lead sprinters but mistimed his charge and banged his fist on the handlebars as he crossed the line.
Golf
Back keeps Watson out of Deutsche Bank pro-am
NORTON, Mass. – Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson skipped the Deutsche Bank Championship pro-am Thursday because of a mild back injury.
Watson suffered a mild strain of his back during the weekend of The Barclays, where he finished third. His agent, Jens Beck, said Watson received therapy the last few days. His trainer recommended one more day of rest as a precaution.
Watson is No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings going into the second playoff event.
This is the second week in a row that a top player has missed the pro-am with a sore back. Jason Day felt a twinge during the week at The Barclays. He went on to a six-shot victory.
Jamieson, Gaunt lead on 1st day of Russian Open
MOSCOW – Scott Jamieson and Daniel Gaunt took a share of the lead at the Russian Open with 6-under 65s in Thursday’s first round.
Jamieson started his day at Skolkovo Golf Club with four straight birdies. Gaunt had an eagle on No. 12.
Lee Slattery and Bradley Dredge (both 66) are tied for third place, one stroke ahead of a group of eight others, including Made in Denmark winner David Horsey.
Former top-ranked tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov shot a 77 and was tied for 121st.
Olypmics
Los Angeles mayor officialy delivers city’s 2024 bid
LONDON – Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and U.S. Olympic officials have wasted no time in taking their bid for the 2024 Games to IOC headquarters.
Garcetti, bid chairman Casey Wasserman and U.S. Olympic leaders met with IOC President Thomas Bach on Thursday in Lausanne, Switzerland, to discuss their plans for bringing the Summer Games back to the United States for the first time in 28 years.
The meeting came just two days after the USOC named Los Angeles at its bid city. Los Angeles replaced Boston, whose bid was dropped in late July amid a lack of public and political support.
Soccer
Chile jumps into top-10, while Wales leaps England
ZURICH – Copa America winner Chile rose two places to No. 8 in the FIFA rankings still led by Argentina.
Chile’s swap with No. 10 England is the only top-10 movement after no elite teams played last month. Ranking changes reflect matches played since 2011 reducing in value.
Wales is ninth and above neighbor England.
Mexico was CONCACAF’s best at No. 26, two ahead of the United States.
No. 40 Iran lead Asia.
Associated Press
