Group Info
, Robinson said. "All Ive said all along is take ca
TRIESTE, Italy -- Nairo Quintana showed why hes considered as cyclings next star by winning the Giro dItalia on Sunday to follow his runner-up finish in last years Tour de France. Kenny Moore Womens Jersey . The 24-year-old climbing specialist with the Movistar team won two stages and finished with a 2 minute, 58 second advantage over fellow Colombian Rigoberto Uran for his first Grand Tour victory. "Its really emotional," Quintana said. "I didnt think there would be so many Colombians here today. It was incredible seeing how much support and how many banners there were." One such banner held aloft during the podium celebration with the Colombian flag on it read, "The Giro is ours. Gracias muchachos." Fabio Aru, a 23-year-old Italian who is also considered a top rider for the future, finished third overall, 4:04 back. Quintana took the pink jersey by winning the grueling 16th stage over the Gavia and Stelvio climbs then also took the 19th leg, a mountain time trial. Quintana finished second to Chris Froome in last years Tour. While he isnt planning to enter the French race this year, he has designs on winning it next year. "We need to look at our plans carefully," Quintana said. Slovenias Luca Mezgec won the final stage in a mass sprint. The Giant-Shimano rider clocked 4 hours, 23 minutes, 58 seconds over the mostly flat 172-kilometre (107-mile) leg from Gemona del Friuli to Trieste, which concluded with eight laps of a city circuit. "It couldnt be a better day than this. Were close to Slovenia," Mezgec said. Giacomo Nizzolo of Italy finished second and Tyler Farrar of the United States was third, both with the same time as Mezgec. Dressed entirely in pink, Quintana finished safely in the middle of the pack and pumped his fist as he crossed the line then hugged his teammates when he got off his bike. "I can finally say Ive won the Giro," Quintana said. "I have to thank my teammates and my family here supporting me." During the playing of the Colombian anthem, Quintana held his pink-clad daughter Mariana, who was born in February. Quintana faced controversy after the 16th stage, in which he attacked on the descent from the Stelvio then powered up the final climb in the lead. There had been some confusion over whether the descent on a wet road was going to be neutralized but race officials declared afterward that his victory was legitimate. Quintana is the first Colombian to win the race -- and with Uran, it was a sweep of the top two spots. Another Colombian, Julian Arredondo, won the mountains classification. Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos travelled to Quintanas hometown of Combita to watch the final stage with dozens of friends and neighbours of the cyclist, who was raised in the high Andean town of 16,000 by a family of peasant farmers. Dressed in the pink colour of the tour leaders jersey and surrounded by fans holding signs like "Nairo: all of Colombia loves and thanks you," Santos said the Quintanas victory was an inspiration to millions of Colombians. "I feel like the entire country is supporting me," Quintana said numerous times during the three-week race. Andrew Luck Colts Jersey . Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said. Marvin Harrison Youth Jersey . The league-leading New York Rangers outhit and outmuscled the Maple Leafs during a 3-0 victory on Saturday. Backup goalie Martin Biron stopped all 20 shots he faced to complete a nice workmanlike effort by the visitors.VANCOUVER -- By ending a scoring drought and managing to win their first game in a month the Vancouver Whitecaps hope they have planted a seed that will bloom into a Major League Soccer playoff berth. The Whitecaps head into their game Saturday against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium believing they have cleared a hurdle in their race to reach the playoffs for the second time in three years. You can catch all the action starting at 8:30pm et/5:30pm pt on TSN2. "I continue to stick to my belief in the way the game should be played and they (the players) continue to stick to their belief within the system," said Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson. Vancouvers 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquake Wednesday leapfrogged the Whitecaps past the Portland Timbers into the fifth and final playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference. The Caps have an 8-6-13 record for 37 points -- two more than Portland. Dallas sits fourth in the West with 42 points (12-9-6). After riding a 10-game unbeaten streak Dallas has lost its last two matches, both on the road. They were beaten 2-1 Sunday by Real Salt Lake. "Its been tough the last two weeks, road trips getting no points, but thats the league," head coach Oscar Pareja told the Dallas FC website. "The league is tough like that and Im proud of this team. "Theyve done an excellent job so far and they control their own destiny. The boys have done so many good things this year and maybe these last two results cant bring us down. We need to keep pushing. We know where we are, we know where we want to be at and we will be fine." The Whitecaps are feeling good about ending a 450-minute scoring drought that saw the team go four games without a goal. Prior to the San Jose game Vancouver had just two wins in 11 matches. Robinson said the victory makes the flight to Dallas a little more relaxing. "It was very important for us," he said. "It gives us a little bit of confidence. It gives us a good standing going into a very difficult place. "We are chasing them, so it can drag us a little closer to them if we can get a win there." Goalkeeper David Ousted, who leads MLS with nine shutouts, said the victory was important but the team has to focus on the future. "It was nice to get the goals, and you saw how happy the guys were andd the fans, but its back to work now," said Ousted, who has played every MLS game for Vancouver this season. Quenton Nelson Jersey. "We need to go to Dallas and still have a strong performance, get goals and points." The Dallas match will be Vancouvers third game in eight days. The Whitecaps tied D.C. United 0-0 at home last Saturday. Veteran defender Any OBrien said winning helps fight fatigue. "When youre winning games you want games to come thick and fast," he said. "When things arent going so well youre anticipating the next game. "Its nice to go into the next game with a good result at home. You know weve been waiting for solid goals to come." The tight race in the West means the Whitecaps cant afford any slips. Only seven points separate seventh place Colorado from Vancouver. All three teams have seven games remaining. Portland plays in Colorado Saturday. Dallas hasnt been a friendly place for the Whitecaps. Since entering MLS in 2011 Vancouver is 0-0-4 in Dallas and has been outscored 8-1. The Whitecaps, who are 2-3-8 on the road this year, settled for a 2-2 draw with Dallas in Vancouver on July 27. Heading down the stretch the Whitecaps play in Portland Sept. 20 and end their season at home Oct. 25 against Colorado. Vancouver also has another game against Dallas and play league-leading Seattle on the road. The fifth-place finisher in each conference plays the fourth-place team in a winner-take-all match. The winner of that game then faces the conferences top seed in the semifinals. Robinson doesnt want to predict how many wins his team will need to clinch a playoff berth. "I just want to be above that red line," said the first-year coach. "Thats all we have to aim for. "If I knew a points total I would be able to tell you. It could be high, it could be low. It could be two wins, it could be five wins, it could be seven wins. Every week it seems to change, every result it seems to change." The Whitecaps need to focus on what they can control, Robinson said. "All Ive said all along is take care of your business. Thats all we can control. "We cant control what Colorado, what San Jose, what Portland does unless we are playing them. We have control of ourselves. Saturday is another one that is in our hands." ' ' '
- Created: Aug 1 '19
- Admin: miaowang123
Users
Newsfeed
- No items
