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ROWING: Four wins for Dutch boats, three for Poland in opening World Cup in Plovdiv

By
Rich Perelman
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Upset men's Pairs winners Martin Mackovic and Milas Vasic (SRB) in Plovdiv (Photo: Detlev Seyb via World Rowing)

The first of three World Cup regattas turned into a showcase for the men’s Polish team and the Dutch women’s squad, who came away with seven wins between them.

The Polish men had the best teams in the famed regatta course in Plovdiv (BUL), winning the Quadrupe Sculls, Fours and Eights. The Dutch women won the Fours and Eights, plus Lisa Scheenaard’s victory in the Single Sculls, and Aletta Jorritsma and Jose van Veen in the Women’s Pairs.

This first regatta did not have a lengthy list of Olympic and World Championships medal winners, but Croatia’s Damir Martin, the 2016 Olympic silver medalist in the Single Sculls, impressed with a win by more than six seconds over first-time World Cup medal winner Pilip Pavukou of Belarus.

There was a significant upset in the men’s Pairs, where Serbians Martin Mackovic and Milas Vasic won by almost two seconds over Martin and Valent Sinkovic (CRO), the 2018 World Champions.

China also had a strong showing, with wins in the men’s and women’s Double Sculls and the women’s Quadruple Sculls. The second World Cup will be in Poznan (POL) in late June; summaries from Plovdiv:

World Rowing World Cup I
Plovdiv (BUL) ~ 10-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

Single Sculls: 1. Damir Martin (CRO), 7:26.90; 2. Pilip Pavukou (BLR), 7:33.04; 3. Robert Ven (FIN), 7:37.29.

Double Sculls: 1. Zhiyu Liu/Liang Zhang (CHN), 6:31.32; 2. Dominik Czaja/Adam Wicenciak (POL), 6:33.93; 3. Stanislau Shcharbachenia/Dzianis Mihal (BLR), 6:35.95.

Quadruple Sculls: 1. Poland, 6:01.260; 2. Moldova, 6:10.520; 3. Romania, 6:10.730.

Pairs: 1. Martin Mackovic/Milas Vasic (SRB), 6:34.05; 2. Martin Sinkovic/Valent Sinkovic (CRO), 6:36.03; 3. Jaime Canalejo Pazos/Javier Garcia Ordonez (ESP), 6:37.50.

Fours: 1. Poland, 6:08.400; 2. Romania, 6:10.700; 3. Austria, 6:14.110.

Eights: 1. Poland, 5:54.380; 2. Romania, 5:57.350; only finishers.

Lightweight Single Sculls: 1. Peter Galambos (HUN), 6:54.55; 2. Milosz Jankowski (POL); 3. Luka Radonic (CRO), 7:04.89.

Lightweight Double Sculls: 1. Tim Brys/Niels van Zandweghe (BEL), 6:40.40; 2. Artur Mikolajczewski/Jerzy Kowalski (POL), 6:42.99; 3. Pedro Fraga/Afonso Costa (POR), 6:43.71.

Women

Single Sculls: 1. Lisa Scheenaard (NED), 8:04.01; 2. Yan Jiang (CHN), 8:05.37; 3. Mirka Knapkova (CZE), 8:08.45.

Double Sculls: 1. Shiyu Lu/Yuwei Wang (CHN), 7:14.46; 2. Tatsiana Klimovich/Krystsina Staraselets (BLR), 7:17.97; 3. Aimee Hernandez Delgado/Yariulvis Cobas Garcia (CUB), 7:21.99.

Quadruple Sculls: 1. China, 6:38.34; 2. Netherlands, 6:39.72; only entries.

Pairs: 1. Aletta Jorritsma/Jose van Veen (NED), 7:22.70; 2. Miaomiamo Qin/Linlin Guo (CHN), 7:23.31; 3. Felice Mueller/Emily Regan (USA), 7:23.56. Also: 5. Erin Reelick/Madeleine Wanamaker (USA), 7:25.75.

Fours: 1. Netherlands, 6:42.82; 2. United States (O’Brien, Doonan, Regan, Mueller), 6:45.93; 3. China, 6:48.02. Also: 4. United States (Opitz, Musnicki, Mooney, Bruggeman), 6:53.82; 5. United States (Reelick, Wanamaker, Huelskamp, Coffey), 7:05.73.

Eights: 1. Netherlands, 6:38.840; 2. China, 6:45.180; 3. Romania, 6:50.420.

Lightweight Single Sculls: 1. Alena Furman (BLR), 7:36.48; 2. Wenyi Huang (CHN), 7:45.50; 3. Kenia Lechuga Alanis (MEX), 7:51.22.

Lightweight Double Sculls: 1. Qiang Wu/Dandan Pan (CHN), 7:23.04; 2. Martine Veldhuis/Ilse Paulis (NED), 7:26.97; 3. Katarzyna Welna/Joanna Dorociak (POL), 7:28.14.

SWIMMING: Bridi outlasts Cunha again in Seychelles Marathon World Series

By
Rich Perelman
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The idyllic scene for the FINA Marathon Swim Series in the Seychelles. (Photo: FINA)

A strong turnout of 75 swimmers from 19 countries came to the exotic location of The Seychelles off the African coast for the second of nine stages of the 2019 FINA Marathon World Series. While the men’s race had plenty of twists and turns, the women’s race was a re-run of 2018.

The six-lap race started slowly, but by the fifth lap, the speed was increasing with two-time World Champion Aurelie Muller (FRA), Olympic silver medalist Rachele Bruni, 2017 World Series winner Arianna Bridi and four-time Series winner Ana Marcela Cunha pressing the pace.

On lap six, Cunha attacked with 500 m remaining before the finish and only Bridi went with her and out-touched her for a 2/10ths-of-a-second victory. It was the same 1-2 finish as in the 2018 race at the Seychelles.

France’s Lara Grangeon came up for third and won her first career World Series medal.

The men’s race featured a strong pace from 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Marc-Antoine Olivier, but he was under pressure from a line of swimmers. As the finish neared, the sprint for the touch was won by Olivier, but with three more right behind, finishing within three more seconds. Australia’s Nicholas Sloman got to the line second, just ahead of Hungary’s Kristof Rasovszky.

Olivier said afterwards, “It was difficult with the hot weather; I’m very happy to win. At the finish, I was thinking about my last heat swimming a 100 m race and think about the pain in that race. The Seychelles is beautiful and yesterday I enjoyed myself swimming in the sea with many fish.”

Ah, the life of an open water swimmer! Summaries:

FINA Marathon World Series
Seychelles ~ 12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men (10 km): 1. Marc-Antoine Olivier (FRA), 1:56:02:00; 2. Nicholas Sloman (AUS), 1:56:04.10; 3. Kristof Rasovszky (HUN), 1:56:04.30; 4. Ferry Weertman (NED), 1:56:04.80; 5. Bailey Armstrong (AUS), 1:56:14.10; 6. Kai Graeme Edwards (AUS), 1:56:24.70; 7. Hayden Paul Cotter (AUS), 1:56:29.70; 8. Matteo Furlan (ITA), 1:56:33.20; 9. Yuval Safra (ISR), 1:56:38.70; 10. Evgenii Drattcev (RUS), 1:56:59.60.

Women (10 km): 1. Arianna Bridi (ITA), 2:01:33.90; 2. Ana Marcela Cunha (BRA), 2:01:34.10; 3. Lara Grangeon (FRA), 2:01:41.10; 4. Rachele Bruni (ITA), 2:01:41.70; 5. Aurlie Muller (FRA), 2:01:44.40; 6. Kareena Lee (AUS), 2:01:55.70; 7. Angelica Andre (POR), 2:01:57.00; 8. Chelsea Gubecka (AUS), 2:01:57.10; 9. Anna Olasz (HUN), 2:01:57.50; 10. Mackenzie Brazier (AUS), 2:01:57.90.

CYCLING: Roglic confirms his favorite’s status with Time Trial win in Giro d’Italia; Sagan wins opening sprint in Amgen Tour

By
Rich Perelman
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Two-time Tour de Romandie winner Primoz Roglic (SLO) (Photo: Geof Sheppard via Wikimedia)

Slovenia’s Primoz Roglic entered this year’s Giro d’Italia undefeated in his three races in 2019: the UAE Tour, Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour de Romandie. And he wasted no time taking charge of the Maglia Rosa – the pink leader’s jersey – by winning the time trial on Saturday’s first day of the 2019 race. “It’s a really nice feeling,” he said. “We did a perfect job and I’m super happy.”

He finished the 8.0 km course in just 12:54, giving him a 19-second edge over Simon Yates (GBR) and 23 over Italy’s Vincenzo Nibali. He maintained that edge through the second stage, a sprinter’s finish won by Germany’s Pascal Ackermann over Elia Viviani (ITA) and Caleb Ewan (AUS).

This week’s stages are all hilly; the first mountain stage is on 23 May. Summaries and stage profiles are shown below.

In Sacramento, California, Slovakian superstar Peter Sagan won the final sprint with a perfectly-positioned, perfectly-timed flyer at the end of the flat first stage in the Amgen Tour of California.

It was not only the 17th stage win for Sagan in the Amgen Tour – the most of anyone all-time – but his first win since January in Australia, a long drought for the three-time World Road Race Champion. He was a happy rider when he crossed the line first, barely ahead of USA Cycling rider Travis McCabe. Summaries are below.

UCI World Tour/Giro d’Italia
Italy ~ 11 May-2 June 2019
(Full results here)

Stage 1 (8.0 km Time Trial): 1. Primoz Roglic (SLO), 12:54; 2. Simon Yates (GBR), 13:13; 3. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA), 13:17; 4. Miguel Angel Lopez (COL), 13:22; 5. Tom Dumoulin (NED), 13:22. Also in the top 25: 21. Chad Haga (USA), 13:48.

Stage 2 (205.0 km): 1. Pascal Ackermann (GER), 4:44:43; 2. Elia Viviani (ITA), 4:44:43; 3. Caleb Ewan (AUS), 4:44:43; 4. Fernando Gaviria (COL), 4:44:43; 5. Arnaud Demare (FRA), 4:44:43.

13 May: Stage 3 (220.0 km) ~ Vinci to Orbetello (hilly)
14 May: Stage 4 (235.0 km) ~ Orbetello to Frascati (hilly)
15 May: Stage 5 (140.0 km) ~ Frascati to Terracina (hilly)
16 May: Stage 6 (238.0 km) ~ Cassino to San Giovanni Rotondo (hilly)
17 May: Stage 7 (185.0 km) ~ Vasto to L’Aquila (hilly)
18 May: Stage 8 (239.0 km) ~ Tortoreto Lido to Pesaro (flat)
19 May: Stage 9 (34.8 km Time Trial) ~ Riccione to San Marino
20 May: Rest day
21 May: Stage 10 (145.0 km)~ Ravenna to Modena (flat)
22 May: Stage 11 (221.0 km) ~ Carpi to Novi Ligure (flat)
23 May: Stage 12 (158.0 km) ~ Cuneo to Pinerolo (hilly)
24 May: Stage 13 (196.0 km) ~ Pinerolo to Ceresole Reale (mountains)
25 May: Stage 14 (131.9 km) ~ Saint Vincent to Courmayeur (mountains)
26 May: Stage 15 (232.0 km) ~ Ivrea to Como (hilly)
27 May: Rest day
28 May: Stage 16 (226.0 km) ~ Lovere to Ponte di Legno (mountains)
29 May: Stage 17 (181.0 km) ~ Commezzadura to Anterselva/Antholz (mountains)
30 May: Stage 18 (222.0 km) ~ Valdaora / Olang to Santa Maria di Sala (flat)
31 May: Stage 19 (151.0 km) ~ Treviso to San Martino di Castrozza (mountains)
01 June: Stage 20 (194.0 km) ~ Feltre to Croce D’Aune-Monte Avena (mountains)
02 June: Stage 21 (17.0 km Time Trial) ~ Verona to Verona

UCI World Tour/Amgen Tour of California
California (USA) ~ 12-18 May 2019
(Full results here)

Stage 1 (143.0 km): 1. Peter Sagan (SVK), 3:14:10; 2. Travis McCabe (USA), 3:14:10; 3. Max Walscheid (GER), 3:14:10; 4. Kristoffer Halvorsen (NOR), 3:14:10; 5. Michael Morkov (DEN), 3:14:10. Also: 13. Miguel Bryon (USA), 3:14:14; … 20. Michael Hernandez (USA), 3:14:14; … 22. Gavin Mannion (USA), 3:14:14; … 25. Neilson Powless (USA), 3:14:14.

13 May: Stage 2 (194.5 km): Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe (hilly)
14 May: Stage 3 (207.0 km): Stockton to Morgan Hill (mountains)
15 May: Stage 4 (212.5 km): Raceway Laguna Seca to Morro Bay (hilly)
16 May: Stage 5 (218.5 km): Pismo Beach to Ventura (mountains)
17 May: Stage 6 (127.5 km): Ontario to Mount Baldy (mountain finish)
18 May: Stage 7 (141.0 km): Santa Clarita to Pasadena (mountains)

RUGBY: Fourth win for the Black Ferns as U.S. clinches Tokyo 2020 spot in Langford Sevens

By
Rich Perelman
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New Zealand's victorious Black Ferns

New Zealand’s Black Ferns have been in charge of the Women’s Sevens Series from the start, winning the first three series and now taking their fourth title of the season in Langford (CAN) by defeating Australia, 21-17, in the final.

With just one leg to go, the Black Ferns have 92 points to 80 for the United States, 78 for Canada and 74 for Australia. The top four finishers in the seasonal standings will be qualified for the Tokyo 2020 tournament; with France fifth with 60 and one more tournament to go, New Zealand and the U.S. are in and Canada and Australia are almost in.

It’s a considerable achievement for the U.S., which has never finished higher than fourth in the seasonal standings!

Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. all had perfect, 3-0 records in pool play. The U.S. edged Canada, 12-7, in the quarterfinals and met New Zealand in the semis, losing 26-12. The Black Ferns moved on to the final and had a tough time with Sevens Series defending champion Australia, finally winning, 21-17.

The U.S. met France in the third-place match and won easily, 26-5. It was the fourth medal of the season and the American women have finished 2-4-3-3-3 in the five legs this season.

Canada’s superstar Ghislaine Landry led the scoring in this round with 42 points, just ahead of Ireland’s Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Ellia Green (AUS) and Tyla Nathan-Wong (NZL), all with 40. The top U.S. scorer was Alev Kelter with 30. Summaries:

World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series
Langford (CAN) ~ 11-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Final Standings: 1. New Zealand; 2. Australia; 3. United States; 4. France; 5. Canada; 6. England; 7. Russia; 8. Spain. Semis: New Zealand d. U.S., 26-12; Australia d. France, 26-19. Third: U.S. d. France, 26-5. Final: New Zealand d. Australia, 21-17.

JUDO: Azerbaijan scores seven medals to lead Japan in Baku Grand Slam

By
Rich Perelman
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Brazil's Olympic Champion Rafaela Silva (in blue) (Photo: IJF/Gabriela Sabau)

A large field of 431 judoka from 57 countries entered the Baku Grand Slam, and the home team came through with the most medals.

Azerbaijani fighters collected seven medals in all, including a win from Hidayat Heydarov in 73 kg, plus two silver medals and four bronzes for a total of seven. That was two better than Japan (5) and three more than Spain and Russia (4).

Japan and Brazil were the only countries with two wins. The Japanese, which sent a parial squad of their top judoka, had victories by Miko Tashiro in the women’s 63 kg class and from two-time World Champion Chizuru Arai in the women’s 70 kg division.

Brazil’s 2016 Olympic star Rafaela Silva showed she will be in the conversation in Tokyo next year with another win at 57 kg, and Felipe Kitadai won the men’s 60 kg class. Summaries:

IJF World Tour/Baku Grand Slam
Baku (AZE) ~ 10-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

-60 kg: 1. Felipe Kitadai (BRA); 2. Temur Nozadze (GEO); 3. Amartusvshin Dashdavaa (MGL) and Yago Abuladze (RUS).

-66 kg: 1. Denis Vieru (MDA); 2. Nijat Shikhalizada (AZE); 3. Bogdan Iadov (UKR) and Baskhuu Yondonperenlei (MGL).

-73 kg: 1. Hidayat Heydarov (AZE); 2. Tohar Butbul (ISR); 3. Telman Valiyev (AZE) and Rustam Orujov (AZE).

-81 kg: 1. Sagi Muki (ISR); 2. Ivaylo Ivanov (BUL); 3. Matthias Casse (BEL) and Tato Grigalashvili (GEO).

-90 kg: 1. Nemanja Majdov (SRB); 2. Mammadali Mehdiyev (AZE); 3. Krisztian Toth (HUN) and Nikoloz Sherazadishvili (ESP).

-100 kg: 1. Michael Korrel (NED); 2. Kazbek Zankishiev (RUS); 3. Zelym Kotsoiev (AZE) and Benjamin Fletcher (IRL).

+100 kg: 1. Gela Zaalishvili (GEO); 2. Ruslan Shakhbazov (RUS); 3. Vladut Simionescu (ROU) and Anton Krivobokov (RUS).

Women

-48 kg: 1. Laura Martinez Abelenda (ESP); 2. Julia Figueroa (ESP); 3. Catarina Costa (POR) and Milica Nikolic (SRB).

-52 kg: 1. Amandine Buchard (FRA); 2. Ai Shishime (JPN); 3. Gefen Primo (ISR) and Larissa Pimenta (BRA).

-57 kg: 1. Rafaela Silva (BRA); 2. Tsukasa Yoshida (JPN); 3. Helene Receveaux (FRA) and Hedvig Karakas (HUN).

-63 kg: 1. Miku Tashiro (JPN); 2. Tina Trstenjak (SRB); 3. Juul Franssen (NED) and Martyna Trados (GER).

-70 kg: 1. Chizuru Arai (JPN); 2. Anna Berholm (SWE); 3. Maria Bernabeu (ESP) and Gemma Howell (GBR).

-78 kg: 1. Luise Malzahn (GER); 2. Anna Maria Wagner (GER); 3. Shori Hamada (JPN) and Madeleine Malonga (FRA).

+78 kg: 1. Yalyzaveta Kalanina (UKR); 2. Larisa Ceric (BIH); 3. Iryna Kindzerska (AZE) and Anamari Veleksek (SLO).

FOOTBALL: U.S. hardly sharp, but dominates South Africa, 3-0, in Santa Clara

By
Rich Perelman
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U.S. midfielder Sam Mewis

The United States women’s national squad didn’t have to play much defense against South Africa, but found the going tougher on offense and settled for a 3-0 win at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California on Sunday.

The South Africans, who will play in the 2019 World Cup in France, were unable to manage any sustained offense against the U.S., which played almost all of the game on offense.

The first half was slow, but got a goal in the 37th minute on a right-footed rocket on a twist-and-shoot move from midfielder Sam Mewis for a 1-0 lead and the only goal of the half.

U.S. coach Jill Ellis subbed liberally in the second half, including bringing Megan Rapinoe – recovering from a calf injury – into the game for more offense.

That proved to be a key move, as Rapinoe was the key to a second goal, in the 78th minute. Her cross into the box pinpointed where Mewis and South Africa substitute keeper Kaylin Swart were going to collide, and as the ball ricocheted off of Swart, it hit Mewis and dribbled into the goal for a 2-0 advantage. The two goals were Mewis’s 10th and 11th career international goals.

The game was well decided, but the U.S. kept attacking into stoppage time. That resulted in a third goal, as Rapinoe’s cross found Mallory Pugh in the box. There was a lot of congestion, but Pugh’s left-footed boot dribbled toward Carli Lloyd, who kicked the ball into the goal for the final score. It was the 108th international goal for Lloyd.

The U.S. has a 19-5 advantage in shots and a 69-31% advantage in possession.

The U.S. women have their next tune-up match against another 2019 Women’s World Cup team, New Zealand, on Thursday (16th) in St. Louis.

FENCING: Veterans Hartung and Velikaya score tight wins in Sabre Grand Prix events in Europe

By
Rich Perelman
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German Sabre star Max Hartung (Photo: Wikipedia)

Germany’s Max Hartung may be, at 29, entering his prime. His victory in the FIE Sabre World Cup in Madrid (ESP) has moved him up to no. 3 in the federation’s world rankings, his highest ranking ever, with a 15-14 win over Hungary’s 2012-16 Olympic gold medalist Aron Szilagyi (HUN).

The victory continues a career year for Hartung, who also won the Budapest World Cup and took a bronze in the Seoul Grand Prix. He’s now up to seven career World Cup medals in his career (3-0-4).

American Eli Dershwitz came into the tournament ranked no. 1 and finished fifth – losing in the quarterfinals – for the fifth tournament in a row! That has to be some kind of record, but his strong showings have kept him at the top of the rankings.

The women’s Sabre World Cup in Algeria showcased no. 1-ranked Sofya Velikaya (RUS), who won over surprise finalist Jiarui Qian, 26. It was Qian’s first-ever World Cup final; she had only won one prior World Cup medal – a bronze – back in 2016.

The final was tight, with Velikaya winning, 15-12, for her third World Cup and Grand Prix medal this season. She now has, at 33, 16 career World Cup medals (7-3-6) and 23 career Grand Prix medals … that’s 39 all told, and she’s far from done. Summaries:

FIE Sabre World Cup
Madrid (ESP) ~ 10-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men’s Sabre: 1. Max Hartung (GER); 2. Aron Szilagyi (HUN); 3. Jun-Ho Kim (KOR) and Sang-Uk Oh (KOR). Semis: Szilagyi d. Oh, 15-8; Hartung d. Kim, 15-14. Final: Hartung d. Szilagyi, 15-14.

Team Sabre: 1. Italy; 2. Russia; 3. Korea; 4. Hungary. Semis: Russia d. Korea, 45-41; Italy d. Hungary, 45-41. Third: Korea d. Hungary, 45-38. Final: Italy d. Russia, 45-31.

FIE Sabre World Cup
Tunis (ALG) ~ 10-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Women’s Sabre: 1. Sofya Velikaya (RUS); 2. Jiarui Qian (CHN); 3. Charlotte Lembach (FRA) and Irene Vecchi (ITA). Semis: Velikaya d. Lembach, 15-6; Qian d. Vecchi, 15-14. Final: Velikaya d. Qian, 15-12.

Team Sabre: 1. Italy; 2. Ukraine; 3. Korea; 4. Japan. Semis: Ukraine d. Korea, 45-39; Italy d. Japan, 45-30. Third: Korea d. Japan, 45-43. Final: Italy d. Ukraine, 45-42.

DIVING: China’s second team wins five of 10 events at Kazan World Series

By
Rich Perelman
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Double World Series winner in Kazan: Hao Yang (CHN)

The FINA World Series is designed to be the highest level of “regular-season” competition in diving, but China’s domination of the sport was demonstrated in the meet in Kazan (RUS).

The Chinese sent a second-line team, which still managed to win five of the 10 events and won 11 medals overall, by far the most of any country. Hao Yang won two events, the men’s 10 m Platform and the Synchro 10 m with Junjie Luan.

Great Britain’s two-time World 10 m Champion Tom Daley was the busiest performer, winning three medals with a bronze in the men’s 10 m Platform, a bronze in the Synchro 10 m with Matthew Lee and a bronze in the Synchro 3 m with Grace Reid.

The World Series will finish with the fifth leg, in London (GBR), next week. Summaries:

FINA Diving World Series
Kazan (RUS) ~ 10-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

3 m Springboard: 1. Jack Laugher (GBR), 499.30; 2. Evgenii Kuznetsov (RUS), 466.60; 3. Jianfeng Peng (CHN), 464.95.

10 m Platform: 1. Hao Yang (CHN), 537.05; 2. Aleksandr Bondar (RUS), 522.60; 3. Tom Daley (GBR), 520.40.

Synchro 3 m: 1. Oleg Kolodiy/Oleksandr Gorshkovozov (UKR), 403.26; 2. Nikita Shleikher/Evgenii Kuznetsov (RUS), 401.94; 3. Juan Manuel Celaya/Yahel Castillo (MEX), 400.53.

Synchro 10 m: 1. Hao Yang/Junjie Lian (CHN), 444.18; 2. Aleksandr Bondar/Viktor Minibaev (RUS), 403.02; 3. Matthew Lee/Tom Daley (GBR), 395.82.

Women

3 m Springboard: 1. Jennifer Abel (CAN), 330.60; 2. Shan Lin (CHN), 303.60; 3. Yani Chang (CHN), 302.20.

10 m Platform: 1. Mi Rae Kim (PRK), 373.40; 2. Minjie Zhang (CHN), 364.60; 3. Yuxi Chen (CHN), 356.95.

Synchro 3 m: 1. Shan Lin/Yani Chang (CHN), 302.01; 2. Annabelle Smith/Maddison Keeney (AUS), 283.98; 3. Viktoriya Kesar/Anna Pysmenska (UKR), 273.60.

Synchro 10 m: 1. Haoyan Yuan/Yuxi Chen (CHN), 338.70; 2. Mi Rae Kim/Jin-Mi Jo (PRK), 315.42; 3. Ekaterina Beliaeva/Iullia Timoshinina (RUS), 292.20.

Mixed

Synchro 3 m: 1. Domonic Bedggood/Maddison Keeney (AUS), 318.12; 2. Yiwen Chen/Xiaohu Tai (CHN), 313.26; 3. Tom Daley/Grace Reid (GBR), 304.14.

Synchro 10 m: 1. Yu Duan/Minjie Zhang (CHN), 339.42; 2. Il Myong Hyon/Jin-Mi Jo (PRK), 314.28; 3. Vincent Riendeau/Caeli McKay (CAN), 312.42.

CYCLING: Kimmann, Baauw & Smulders sweep BMX Supercross World Cup in Papendal

By
Rich Perelman
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Dutch World Champion and 2012 Olympic BMX bronze winner Laura Smulders

The BMX SuperCross World Cup in Papendal (NED) figured to be friendly to the homestanding Dutch riders, but world champs Niek Kimmann and Laura Smulders dominated the two days, winning four medals between them, including three golds.

Kiemmann won cleanly on both days, finishing 0.446 ahead of Alfredo Campo (ECU) in Saturday’s race and 0.252 up on France’s Joris Daudet on Sunday. Kiemann, the reigning World Cup champ, now has four wins at Papendal in his career, more than anyone else.

Smulders, the three-time defending World Cup winner, won for the sixth time at Papendal in the 12 races held there. She won on Sunday after finishing third to teammate Judy Baauw and American Alise Willoughby on Saturday. Willoughby was again second on Sunday, her third top-four finish in four races this season. Summaries:

UCI BMX World Cup
Papendal (NED) ~ 10-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men I: 1. Niek Kimmann (NED), 35.306; 2. Alfredo Campo (ECU), 35.772; 3. Jeremy Rencurel (FRA), 36.369; 4. Kai Sakakibara (AUS), 36.594; 5. David Graf (SUI), 37.057.

Men II: Kimmann (NED), 34.951; 2. Joris Daudet (FRA), 35.203; 3. Sylvaina Andre (FRA), 35.365; 4. David Graf (SUI), 35.543; 5. Jared Garcia (USA), 36.265. Also: 7. Corben Sharrah (USA), 36.594.

Women I: Judy Baauw (NED), 37.516; 2. Alise Willoughby (USA), 37.660; 3. Laura Smulders (NED), 37.956; 4. Simone Christensen (DEN), 37.988; 5. Ruby Huisman (NED), 38.283. Also: 6. Felicia Stancil (USA), 39.769.

Women II: 1. Smulders (NED), 36.556; 2. Willoughby (USA), 37.159; 3. Stancil (USA), 37.769; 4. Lauren Reynolds (AUS), 37.840; 5. Baauw (NED), 38.214.

ARCHERY: Kang takes second straight World Cup win; U.S. takes four Compound titles in Shanghai

By
Rich Perelman
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Korea's World Cup winner Chae-Young Kang (Photo: World Archery)

It’s early in the season, but Korea’s Chae-Young Kang is making it clear that despite her youth, she is going to be a candidate for all honors at the World Championships and the Olympic Games in the women’s division.

The 22-year-old from Seoul won the second World Cup of the season with an emphatic 6-0 win over Tomoni Sugimoto of Japan, to go along with her 6-0 win in the opening World Cup in Colombia over Melanie Gaubil (FRA).

Korea swept the individual Recurve honors as Woo-Seok Lee overcame American Brady Ellison in the semifinals – Ellison won in Colombia – and won the final against 2015 World Champion Woojin Kim, 6-2. Ellison finished third, swamping Dutch shooter Sjef van den Berg, 6-0.

The U.S. scored well in the non-Olympic Compound division, winning the men’s individual title (Braden Gellenthien) and taking silver (Sophia Strachan) and bronze (Alexis Ruiz) in the women’s competition. For Strachan, 20, it was her first career World Cup medal, and those two combined with Jamie Van Natta to win the women’s Team Compound title. Gellenthien, Kris Schaff and Matt Sullivan won the men’s Team Compound division. Sullivan and Ruiz won the Mixed Doubles Compound title. Summaries:

World Archery World Cup
Shanghai (CHN) ~ 6-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

Recurve: 1. Woo-Seok Lee (KOR); 2. Woojin Kim (KOR); 3. Brady Ellison (USA); 4. Sjef van den Berg (NED). Semis: Kim d. van den Berg, 7-1; Lee d. Ellison, 6-4. Third: Ellison d. van den Berg, 6-0. Final: Lee d. Kim, 6-2.

Team Recurve: 1. Chinese Taipei (Wei, Deng, Tang); 2. Turkey; 3. Korea; 4. Bangladesh. Semis: Chinese Taipei d. Korea, 5-1; Turkey d. Bangladesh, 5-3. Third: Korea d. Bangladesk, 6-2. Final: Chinese Taipei d. Turkey, 5-1.

Compound: 1. Braden Gellenthien (USA); 2. Brend Frederickx (BEL); 3. Roberto Hernandez (ESA); 4. Evren Cagiran (TUR). Semis: Gellenthien d. Hernandez, 147-146; Frederickx d. Cagiran, 147-146. Third: Hernandez d. Cagiran, 146-144. Final: Gellenthien d. Frederickx, 148-147.

Team Compound: 1. United States (Matt Sullivan, Kris Schaff, Braden Gellenthien); 2. Korea; 3. China; 4. Turkey. Semis: U.S. d. China, 237-236; Korea d. Turkey, 235-234. Third: China d. Turkey, 230-229. Final: U.S. d. Korea, 238-235.

Women

Recurve: 1. Chae-Young Kang (KOR); 2. Tomoni Sugimoto (JPN); 3. Ya-Ting Tan (TPE); 4. Nur Afisa Abdul Halil (MAS). Semis: Sugimoto d. Tan, 6-2; Kang d. Abdul Halil, 6-0. Third: Tan d. Abdul Halil, 6-2. Final: Kang d. Sugimoto, 6-0.

Team Recurve: 1. Korea (Kang, Choi, Chang); 2. China; 3. Chinese Taipei; 4. Iran. Semis: Korea d. Iran, 6-2; China d. Chinese Taipei, 6-0. Third: Chinese Taipei d. Iran, 6-2. Final: Korea d. China, 6-0.

Compound: 1. Chae-Won So (KOR); 2. Sophia Strachan (USA); 3. Alexis Ruiz (USA); 4. Sha Luo (CHN). Semis: So d. Ruiz, 145-145 (shoot-off: 10-9); Strachan d. Luo, 146-140. Third: Ruiz d. Luo, 147-146. Final: So d. Strachan, 148-140.

Team Compound: 1. United States (Alexis Ruiz, Sophia Strachan, Jamie Van Natta); 2. Korea; 3. Turkey; 4. Korea. Semis: Turkey d. Korea, 231-226; U.S. d. Chinese Taipei, 232-229. Third: Turkey d. Chinese Taipei, 227-225. Final: U.S. d. Korea, 229-229 (shoot-off: 30-29).

Mixed

Team Recurve: 1. Ya-Ting Tan/Chih-Chun Tang (TPE); 2. Yasemin Anagoz/Mete Gazoz (TUR); 3. Mi-Sun Choi/Woo-Seok Lee (KOR); 4. Bryony Pitman/Tom Hall (GBR).
Semis: Turkey d. Korea, 6-2; Chinese Taipei d. Great Britain, 5-1. Third: Choi/Lee d. Pitman/Hall, 6-2. Final: Tan/Tang d. Anagoz/Gazoz, 6-0.

Team Compound: 1. Alexis Ruiz/Matt Sullivan (USA); 2. Sarah Prieels/Brend Frederickx (BEL); 3. Seyedeh-Vida Halimianavval/Mohammad Palizban (IRI); 4. Hung-Ting Cheng/Ka King Yen (HKG). Semis: Prieels/Frederickx d. Halimianavval/Palizban, 158-155; Ruiz/Sullivan d. Cheng/Yen, 159-150. Third: Halimianavval/Palizban d. Cheng/Yen, 153-151. Final: Ruiz/Sullivan d. Prieels/Frederickx, 156-150.

SWIMMING: Sjostrom wins 5, Hosszu and Efimova win 3 in Budapest FINA Champs Series

By
Rich Perelman
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Swedish swimming sprint superstar Sarah Sjostrom

One of the goals of the FINA Champions Series was to showcase the world’s finest swimmers. It has created a focus on one swimmer as the one to beat later this summer at the World Championships: Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden.

She won four of five events at the first stop in Guangzhou (CHN) and returned to Europe to sweep all five of her events at the second leg at the Duna Arena in Budapest (HUN). She won the 50-100-200 m Freestyles and the 50-100 m Butterfly events, logging a 2019 world leader in the 50 m Fly in 25.32. Her 23.97 winner in the 50 m Free was the second fastest time in the world this season, with only her 23.91 world leader faster.

Sjostrom won $50,000 for her trouble, with $10,000-8,000-6,000-5,000 paid to the four finishers in each individual race.

Meanwhile, two more stars won three races each: Russian Yuliya Efimova won all three women’s Breaststroke events, including a world-leading 1:05.99 in the 100 m Breast, and home favorite Katinka Hosszu won the 100 m Back, 200 m Fly and 200 m Medley, each earning $30,000.

Sjostrom and Efimova also won some relay bonuses, with a second (Sjostrom) and a third (Efimova), earning another $3,000 and 2,000, respectively. That gave Sjostrom a total prize haul of $53,000 for the week, on top of the $51,000 she won in Guangzhou.

Besides Sjostrom, Efimova and Hosszu, there were two other multi-event winners on the weekend: Danas Rapsys (LTU) in the men’s 200-400 m Frees and Russia’s Evgenii Rylov in the 100-200 m Backstrokes. Rapsys was especially impressive in winning the 200 m Free in 3:43.36. equal-second-fastest in 2019, and moving him to equal-11th all-time in the event. So, five swimmers won 15 of the 28 events on the program.

Although the fields in Budapest were quite different from Guangzhou, there were still repeat winners in 10 of the 28 individual events, with Sjostrom accounting for four:

● Men/50 m Freestyle: Ben Proud (GBR)
● Men/100 m Freestyle: Pieter Timmers (BEL)
● Men/100 m Breaststroke: Fabio Scozzoli (ITA)
● Men/200 m Breaststroke: Anton Chupkov (RUS)
● Men/50 m Butterfly: Nicholas Santos (BRA)
● Women/100 m Freestyle: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
● Women/200 m Freestyle: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
● Women/50 m Butterfly: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
● Women/100 m Butterfly: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
● Women/200 m Medley: Katinka Hosszu (HUN)

How good was the swimming? The meet produced – during a time of heavy training for many swimmers – five 2019 world leaders:

● Men/50 m Butterfly: 22.60, Nicholas Santos (BRA)
● Women/50 m Breaststroke: 30.26, Yuliya Efimova (RUS)
● Women/100 m Breaststroke: 1:05.99, Yuliya Efimova (RUS)
● Women/50 m Butterfly: 25.32, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
● Women/200 m Butterfly: 2:06.62 Katinka Hosszu (HUN)

The U.S. got a win – its first of the series – in the final men’s individual race, as Justin Ress, 21, won the 50 m Backstroke, just ahead of 2012 Olympic champ Matt Grevers, 24.68-24.88.

Attendance was good, but well short of capacity at the 6,000-seat Duna Arena in Budapest and the now-normal razzmatazz of loud music, a screaming announcer and lighting effects served to hype up the event, but not draw a sell-out crowd. But for a first-year event, it’s a good start, and there is one more leg – in Indianapolis – in three weeks. Summaries:

FINA Champions Series II
Budapest (HUN) ~ 11-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

50 m Freestyle: 1. Ben Proud (GBR), 21.52; 2. Bruno Fratus (BRA), 21.67; 3. Vladimir Morozov (RUS), 21.77; 4. Anthony Ervin (USA), 22.82.

100 m Free: 1. Pieter Timmers (BEL), 48.32; 2. Mehdy Metella (FRA), 48.62; 3. Morozov (RUS), 49.03; 4. Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 49.07.

200 m Free: 1. Danas Rapsys (LTU). 1:46.74; 2. Aleksandr Krasnykh (RUS), 1:46.91; 3. Dominik Kozma (HUN), 1:47.12; 4. Chad le Clos (RSA), 1:48.82.

400 m Free: 1. Rapsys (LTU), 3:43.36; 2. Mykhallo Romanchuk (UKR), 3:47.08; 3. Krasnykh (RUS), 3:47.85; 4. Peter Bernek (HUN), 3:56.40.

50 m Backstroke: 1. Justin Ress (USA), 24.68; 2. Matt Grevers (USA), 24.88; 3. Robert Glinta (ROU), 24.98; 4. Kolesnikov (RUS), 25.06.

100 m Back: 1. Evgenii Rylov (RUS), 52.81; 2. Grevers (USA), 53.09; 3. Kolesnikov (RUS), 53.75; 4. Jiayu Xu (CHN), 54.65.

200 m Back: 1. Rylov (RUS), 1:55.02; 2. Jacob Pebley (USA), 1:56.67; 3. J. Xu (CHN), 1:59.74; 4. Rapsys (LTU), 2:04.96.

50 m Breaststroke: 1. Joao Gomes. Jr. (BRA), 26.64; 2. Felipe Lima (BRA), 26.86; 3. Michael Andrew (USA), 27.10; 4. Fabio Scozzoli (ITA) , 27.14.

100 m Breast: 1. Scozzoli (ITA), 59.05; 2. Anton Chupkov (RUS), 59.21; 3. Ross Murdoch (GBR), 59.63; 4. Kevin Cordes (USA), 1:00.75.

200 m Breast: 1. Chupkov (RUS), 2:08.23; 2. Ippei Watanabe (JPN), 2:08.61; 3. Dmitriy Balandin (HUN), 2:10.73; 4. Josh Prenot (USA), 2:11.60.

50 m Butterfly: 1. Nicholas Santos (BRA), 22.60; Andrii Govorov (UKR), 22.87; 3. Michael Andrew (USA), 23.19; 4. Proud (GBR), 23.68.

100 m Fly: 1. Le Clos (RSA), 51.25; 2. Kristof Milak (HUN), 51.67; 3. Laszlo Cseh (HUN), 52.20; 4. Piero Codia (ITA), 52.22.

200 m Fly: 1. Milak (HUN), 1:53.64; 2. Masato Sakai (JPN), 1:55.40; 3. Le Clos (RSA), 1:55.95; 4. Cseh (HUN), 1:56.83.

200 m Medley: 1. Jacques Desplanches (SUI), 1:57.01; 2. Chase Kalisz (USA), 1:57.74; 3. Philip Heintz (GER), 1:58.39; 4. Shun Wang (CHN), 1:58.54.

Women

50 m Freestyle: 1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 23.97; 2. Pernille Blume (DEN), 24.52; 3. Etiene Medeiros (BRA), 24.85; 4. Farida Osman (EGY), 25.12.

100 m Free: 1. Sjostrom (SWE), 53.03, 2. Blume (DEN), 53.40; 3. Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 53.91; 4. Penny Oleksiak (CAN), 54.45.

200 m Free: 1. Sjostrom (SWE), 1:56.58; 2. Pellegrini (ITA), 1:57.09; 3. Veronika Andrusenko (RUS), 1:58.04; 4. Bingjie Li (CHN), 1:59.26.

400 m Free: 1. Ajna Kesely (HUN), 4:05.92; 2. Jianjiahe Wang (CHN), 4:07.50; 3. Holly Hibbott (GBR), 4:08.18; 4. B. Li (CHN), 4:12.39.

50 m Backstroke: 1. Anastasia Fesikova (RUS), 27.58; 2. Georgia Davies (GBR), 27.89; 3. Medeiros (BRA), 28.25; 4. Emily Seebohm (AUS), 28.51.

100 m Back: 1. Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 59.58; 2. Fesikova (RUS), 59.73; 3. Seebohm (AUS), 1:00.44; 4. Davies (GBR), 1:00.85.

200 m Back: 1. Margherita Panziera (ITA), 2:06.41; 2. Hosszu (HUN), 2:08.16;
3. Seebohm (AUS), 2:08.89; 4. Katalin Butian (HUN), 2:09.00.

50 m Breaststroke: 1. Yulia Efimova (RUS), 30.26; 2. Molly Hannis (USA), 30.77; 3. Imogen Clark (GBR), 30.85; 4. Katie Meili (USA), 30.98.

100 m Breast: 1. Efimova (RUS), 1:05.99; 2. Meili (USA), 1:07.28; 3. Hannis (USA), 1:07.66; 4. Siobhan O’Connor (GBR), 1:12.84.

200 m Breast: 1. Efimova (RUS), 2:22.52; 2. Eszter Bekesi (HUN), 2:27.54; 3. Meili (USA), 2:27.86; 4. Hannis (USA), 2:29.57.

50 m Butterfly: 1. Sjostrom (SWE), 25.32; 2. Osman (EGY), 25.90; 3. Oleksiak (CAN), 26.04; 4. Blume (DEN), 26.91.

100 m Fly: 1. Sjostrom (SWE), 56.78; 2. Osman (EGY), 58.32; 3. Oleksiak (CAN), 58.52; 4. Dana Vollmer (USA), 1:01.23.

200 m Fly: 1. Hosszu (HUN), 2:06.62; 2. Franziska Hentke (GER), 2:07.31; 3. Boglarka Kapas (HUN), 2:07.67; 4. Alys Margaret Thomas (GBR), 2:08.52.

200 m Medley: 1. Hosszu (HUN), 2:08.81; 2. Seoyoung Kim (KOR), 2:09.97; 3. O’Connor (GBR), 2:11.36; 4. Zsuzsanna Jakabos (HUN), 2:14.12.

Mixed

4×100 m Freestyle: 1. Team 1 (Desplanches/SUI, Ress/USA, O’Connor/GBR, Okelsiak/CAN), 3:27.63; 2. Team 3 (Cseh/HUN, Grevers/USA, Medeiros/BRA, Hibbott/GBR), 3:29.43; 3. Team 4 (Metella./FRA, Timmers/NED, Efimova/RUS, Kesely/HUN), 3:31.69; 4. Heintz/GER, Prenot/USA, Clark/GBR, Davies/GBR), 3:33.64.

4×100 m Medley: 1. Team 3 (Fesikova/RUS, Meili/USA, Andrew/USA, Morozov/RUS), 3:47.40; 2. Team 4 (Pebley/USA, Clark/GBR, Heintz/GER, Sjostrom/SWE), 3:47.95; 3. Team 2 (Seebohm/AUS, Balandin/HUN, Cseh/HUN, Hibbott/GBR), 3:48.43; 4. Team 1 (Kolesnikov/RUS, Gomes, Jr./BRA, Hentke/GER, Kesely/HUN), 3:50.20.

ATHLETICS: U.S. wins five, loses two 4x400s, Jamaica wins nothing at World Relays in Yokohama

By
Rich Perelman
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Donatavius wright anchors the U.S. win in the Mixed 4x400 m relay in Yokohama (Photo: IAAF)

The IAAF World Relays is a fun event, but so is the Demolition Derby. And that’s about what happened at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan the fourth edition of the IAAF World Relays.

The only important races were the 4×100 m and 4×400 m, which offered World Championships qualification to the finalists. And the U.S., which has been dominant in the prior three Relays, was – to be charitable – ordinary:

● Men’s 4×100 m: Great Britain led the qualifying on Saturday in a world-leading 38.11. The U.S. had a strong group of Mike Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Isiah Young and Noah Lyles, but the passes let them down. Gatlin had the U.S. in the lead, but the pass to Young was poor and his leg was worse, handing off to Lyles who had to make a move from fourth place. He was flying, but Paulo Camilo de Oliveira was also good and held on for a 0.02 victory for Brazil in a world-leading 38.05. The Brazilians were more shocked than anyone else with their win over the U.S.

● Men’s 4×400 m: Fred Kerley got the U.S. a lead on the second leg with a 44.4 split, equal-fastest of the day, but Paul Dedewo was run down on the anchor by Trinidad & Tobago’s Machel Cedenio – also 44.4 – at the tape for second, 3:00.81 (world leader)-3:00.84. But Dedewo took the baton from Michael Cherry in lane one and then moved into lane two for a few steps and was disqualified. Ridiculous.

● Women’s 4×100 m: The U.S. had the fastest qualifying mark at 42.51, a world leader at the time, with Mikiah Brisco, Ashley Henderson, Dezerea Bryant and Aleia Hobbs, and ran the same team in the finals. Henderson made a charge on the second leg to give the U.S. the lead and the passes to Bryant and Hobbs were good enough to secure the lead. Jamaica’s Jonielle Smith almost got to Hobbs at the line, but the U.S.’s much slower time of 43.27 was enough to win by 0.02.

● Women’s 4×400 m: The U.S. was looking good with strong legs – and the lead – from Jaide Stepter (52.5) and Shakima Wimbley (50.8), but Jessica Beard fell apart on the third leg, running 53.3 and passing to Courtney Okolo in fourth place. Poland took advantage and Justyna Swiety-Ersetic ran 51.6 to win in 3:27.49. Okolo ran 51.0 to close, but finished second in 3:27.65.

● Mixed 4×400 m: Here, the U.S. did everything right. All of the finalists ran men on the first and fourth legs; perhaps that’s the standard strategy for the future. My’Lik Kerley – Fred’s younger brother – gave the U.S. the lead, but the women’s legs from Joanna Atkins (51.6) and Jasmine Blocker (52.3) gave Dontavius Wright a big lead which he did not relinquish. He finished in 46.2 and the Americans won by almost two seconds over Canada.

The other world-leading mark was France’s 1:32.16 in the women’s 4×200 m. The U.S. won the men’s 4×200 m in 1:20.12.

The U.S. won the overall points title for the fourth World Relays in a row, with 54 points to 27 for Jamaica; Japan also had 27 points and was placed third. The Americans won five golds and two silvers; the shock was Jamaica’s failure to win any of the races, winning just two silvers and a bronze (and the men’s 4×100 m was sixth).

The American men’s 4×400 m disqualification means they will still have to qualify for the World Championships as one of the top six on time, but that should not be a significant issue as a U.S. pick-up team has already run 3:01.46 at the Florida Relays in March, currently no. 2 worldwide.

This was also not a fully-stocked U.S. team in multiple events, so the teams at the World Championships should be much better. But except for the men’s 4×4, the U.S. is now into the other four relays for Doha and that’s actually what counts. Summaries:

IAAF World Relays
Yokohama (JPN) ~ 11-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

4×100 m: 1. Brazil (Rodrigo Do Nascimento, Jorge Vides, Derick Silva, Paulo Camilo de Oliveira), 38.05; 2. United States (Michael Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Isiah Young, Noah Lyles), 38.07; 3.Great Britain, 38.15; 4. China, 38.16; 5. France, 38.31.

4×200 m: 1. United States (Chris Belcher, Bryce Robinson, Vernon Norwood, Remontay McClain), 1:20.12; 2. South Africa, 1:20.42; 3. Germany, 1:21.26; 4. Kenya, 1:22.55; 5. Japan, 1:22.67.

4×400 m: 1. Trinidad & Tobago (Deon Lendore 45.9, Jereem Richards 44.8, Asa Guevara 45.7, Machel Cedenio 44.4), 3:00.81; 2. Jamaica, 3:01.57; 3. Belgium, 3:02.70; 4. Japan, 3:03.24; 5. 3:04.96. Disqualified: United States (Nathan Strother 45.7, Fred Kerley 44.4, Michael Cherry 45.1, Paul Dedewo 45.6), 3:00.84 [2].

Women

4×100 m: 1. United States (Mikiah Brisco, Ashley Henderson, Dezerea Bryant, Aleia Hobbs), 43.27; 2. Jamaica, 43.29; 3. Germany, 43.68; 4. Brazil, 43.75; 5. Italy, 44.29.

4×200 m: 1. France (Carolle Zahi, Estelle Raffai, Cynthia Leduc, Maroussia Pare), 1:32.16; 2. China, 1:32.76; 3. Jamaica, 1:33.21; 4. Japan, 1:34.57; 5. Germany, 1:34.92. Disqualified: United States (Kyra Jefferson, Shania Collins, Gabby Thomas, Jenna Prandini), 1:32.78 [3].

4×400 m: 1. Poland (Malgorzata Holub-Kowalik 52.6, Patrycja Wyciszkiewicz 51.1, Anna Kielbasinska 52.1, Justyna Swiety-Ersetic 51.6), 3:27.49; 2. United States (Jaide Stepter 52.5, Shakima Wimbley 50.8, Jessica Beard 53.3, Courtney Okolo 51.0), 3:27.65; 3. Italy, 3:27.74; 4. Canada, 3:28.21; 5. Jamaica, 3:28.30.

Mixed

4×400 m: 1. United States (My’lik Kerley 46.3, Joanna Atkins 51.6, Jasmine Blocker 52.3, Dontavius Wright 46.2), 3:16.43; 2. Canada, 3:18.15; 3. Kenya, 3:19.43; 4. Italy, 3:20.28; 5. Poland, 3:10.65.

2x2x400 m: 1. Ce’Aria Brown/Donavan Brazier (USA), 3:36.92 (world best); 2. Catriona Bisset/Joshua Ralph (AUS), 3:37.61; 3. Ayano Shiomi/Allon Clay (JPN), 3:38.36; 4. Anna Dobek/Patryk Dobek (POL), 3:42.14; 5. Marina Arzamasova/Aliaksandr Vasileuskiy (BLR), 3:51.64.

Shuttle Hurdles: 1. United States (Christina Clemons, Freddie Crittenden, Sharika Nelvis, Devon Allen), 54.96; 2. Japan (Kimura, Takayama, Aoki, Kanai), 55.59; only finishers.

SHOOTING: American stars Rhode and Hancock sweep World Cup Skeet titles in Korea

By
Rich Perelman
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ISSF World Cup silver and gold medalists Christian Elliott and Vincent Hancock of the U.S. (Photo: ISSF)

The first half of the ISSF Shotgun World Cup confirmed – once again – that the Skeet favorites for Tokyo are Americans Vincent Hancock and Kim Rhode.

And why not?

Hancock, 30, won the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Skeet events and the 2018-19 World Championships. Rhode, 39, is a living legend, having won six Olympic medals in the last six Games, including the 2008 Skeet silver, 2012 gold and 2016 bronze.

But neither is resting on their reputations. They each won another ISSF World Cup, this time in Changwon (KOR) at the third Shotgun World Cup of the season.

Rhode has dominated the 2019 World Cup season, now winning all three, in Acapulco (MEX), Ai Ain (UAE) and now at Changwon. She won the final with 57 hits out of 60, scoring on 22 of her first 23 shots, then missing two of the next six to stand at 26 of 29. Then she hit her last 31 in a row to finish at 57, three better than 2016 Olympic Champion Diana Bacosi (ITA).

It was Rhode’s 21st World Cup victory in her brilliant career, stretching back to 1996, and a successful defense of her 2018 win at Changwon.

Hancock won his second World Cup of the season – also in Acapulco – by hitting 42 of his first 43 shots. He missed the 44th, then hit 12 in a row to get to 56 of 58 and he finished with 57, the same as Rhode.

A new U.S. star might be on the horizon in 21-year-old Christian Elliott, competing in his first World Cup final. He scored on 37 of his first 40 shots and 46 of 50 to make it to the final round with Hancock. He ended up winning the silver with 53 shots out of 60.

The Changwon World Cup continues next week with the Women’s Trap on Wednesday, men’s Trap on Thursday and the Mixed Trap on Friday. Summaries so far:

ISSF Shotgun World Cup
Changwon (KOR) ~ 7-18 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men/Skeet: 1. Vincent Hancock (USA), 57; 2. Christian Elliott (USA), 53; 3. Mansour Al Rashedi (KUW), 45; 4. Hyun Suk Kang (KOR), 32; 5. Lari Pesonen (FIN), 26.

Women/Skeet: 1. Kim Rhode (USA), 57; 2. Diana Bacosi (ITA), 54; 3. Chiara Cainero (ITA), 44; 4. Danka Bartekova (SVK), 33; 5. Assem Orynbay (KAZ), 24.

ATHLETICS Flash: Roberts beats Holloway in SEC final, matches 13.07 world-leader, plus 6.00 m for Mondo!

By
Rich Perelman
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Daniel Roberts beats Grant Holloway, 13.07-13.12, in the SEC Final. (Photo: Kentucky Athletics)

Even while the IAAF World Relays are ongoing in Yokohama (JPN), the Southeastern Conference Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas has been the performance center of the track & field world. Just today:

● Kentucky’s Daniel Roberts, badly beaten by Florida’s Grant Holloway in the prelims, 13.07-13.31, came back in the final to beat Holloway, 13.07 to 13.12, with a 1.0 m/s wind, well under the allowable for record purposes. So now the two hurlers – both juniors – share the world lead for 2019.

● LSU freshman Mondo Duplantis (SWE), already the world leader at 5.94 m (19-6), cleared 6.00 m (19-8 1/4) on his final try to win the SEC title, increase his own world lead and set the U.S. Collegiate Record held by Tennessee’s Lawrence Johnson from way back in 1996. Duplantis has a lifetime best of 6.05 m (19-10 1/4) from last year.

● Texas A&M’s men’s 4×400 m relay team won the conference title in 3:01.77, faster than any of the national teams running in the heats in Yokohama! LSU’s runner-up finish in 3:02.09 was faster than all of the World Relays teams except the U.S.!

● Arkansas soph Janeek Brown (JAM) lowered her world lead in the women’s 110 m hurdles to 12.55 (from 12.57) in winning the SEC title. The wind was legal at +1.3 m/s.

Although not a world leader, Japan’s Abdul Hakim Sani Brown – running for Florida – won the men’s 100 m in 9.99, moving him to no. 4 on the 2019 world list. LSU frosh Sha’Carri Richardson won the women’s 100 m in 11.00, but wind-aided at +2.1 m/s, and the 200 m with a wind-legal 22.57.

Meanwhile, in Tucson, Arizona, USC’s women’s 4×100 m team won its heat in 42.44, also a world leader and faster than the U.S. national team (42.51) at the World Relays. Wow!

CYCLING: New Dutch star Wiebes sweeps all three stages to win the Tour of Chongming Island

By
Rich Perelman
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New Dutch cycling star Lorena Wiebes (Photo: Wikipedia)

Just 20 years old, the newest of the deep list of Dutch women’s cycling stars is Lorena Wiebes.

In her second season on the UCI Women’s World Tour, she won silver medals in two of the spring Classics, the Three Days of DePanne and Gent-Wevelgem and dominated the Tour of Chongming Island by winning all three stages on her way to a 22-second victory over Thailand’s Jutatip Maneephan.

All of the stages were flat, sprinter’s races and Wiebes managed to get to the line first each time, with multiple riders being awarded the same in each stage.

True, this was nowhere near the strongest field on the Women’s World Tour this season, but a win is a win and Wiebes is quickly building a resume to be respected. She’s now fourth in the seasonal Women’s World Tour standings (590) behind leader Annemiek van Vleuten (NED: 850). Summaries:

UCI Women’s World Tour/Tour of Chongming Island
Shanghai (CHN) ~ 9-11 May 2019
(Full results here)

Stage 1 (102.7 km): 1. Lorena Wiebes (NED), 2:29:29; 2. Lotte Kopecky (BEL), 2:29:29; 3. Nina Kessler (NED), 2:29:29; 4. Lucy Garner (GBR), 2:29:29; 5. Marta Tagliaferro (ITA), 2:29:29.

Stage 2 (126.6 km): 1. Wiebes (NED), 3:05:25; 2. Jutatip Maneephan (THA), 3:05:25; 3. Garner (GBR), 3:05:25; 4. Kessler (NED), 3:05:25; 5. Pascale Jeuland-Transchant (FRA), 3:05:25.

Stage 3 (118.4 km): 1. Wiebes (NED), 2:52:01; 2. Maneephan (THA), 2:52:01; 3. Kopecky (BEL), 2:52:01; 4. Xia Sha Zhao (CHN), 2:52:01; 5. Garner (GBR), 2:52:01.

Final Standings: 1. Lorena Wiebes (NED), 8:26:14; 2. Jutatip Maneephan (THA), +0:22; 3. Lotte Kopecky (BEL), +0:27; 4. Nina Kessler (NED), +0:35; 5. Lucy Garner (GBR), +0.37; 6. Marta Tagliaferro (ITA), +0.37; 7. Tatsiana Sharakova (BLR), +0:38; 8. Maaike Boogaard (NED), +0:38; 9. Valeriya Kononeko (UKR), +0:39; 10. Pascale Jeuland-Tranchant (FRA), +0:41.

SWIMMING: Two wins for Sjostrom and Efimova, two new world leaders in day one of FINA Champions Series Budapest

By
Rich Perelman
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Brazil's world leader in the 50 m Fly: 39-year-old Nicholas Santos!

The crowd at the Duna Arena in Budapest (HUN) was in a lather after the first two events of the FINA Champions Series went to home favorites Ajna Kesely in the women’s 400 m Freestyle and Kristof Milak in the 200 m Butterfly.

Those were the last wins by Hungarians in the session, but there were plenty of highlights, including two world-leading performances:

● Men/50 m Butterfly: 22.60, Nicholas Santos (BRA)
● Women/50 m Breaststroke: 30.26, Yuliya Efimova (RUS)

In addition, Russian Evgenii Rylov swam the no. 2 time of the year (52.81) in the men’s 100 m Back, and teammate Anastasia Fesikova – the women’s 50 m Back World Champion in 2011 and now 29 – authored the no. 2 time of the year in her specialty at 27.58.

Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom won four of her five events in Guangzhou and she continued her winning ways in Budapest, winning the 100 m Free in 53.03 and the 100 m Fly in 56.78. She and Efimova were the only double winners on Saturday.

Compared to the first Champions Swim Series in Guangzhou (CHN), the times were improved, with the winning marks in 10 of the 14 individual events better in Budapest.

The line-ups changed quite a bit from Guangzhou to Budapest, but there were five repeat winners:

● Men/50 m Freestyle: Ben Proud (GBR)
● Men/100 m Breaststroke: Fabio Scozzoli (ITA)
● Men/50 m Butterfly: Nicholas Santos (BRA)
● Women/100 m Freestyle: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)
● Women/100 m Butterfly: Sarah Sjostrom (SWE)

Brazil’s Santos, however, might have been the swimmer of the day. At 39 years old, he scored a world-leading mark in the 50 m Fly (22.60), improved his lifetime best by 0.01 and strengthened his grip as the no. 3 performer in history in that event!

The prize money for each event is $10,000-8,000-6,000-5,000 ($812,000 total) and $16,000-12,000-8,000 for the relays ($72,000 total); Efimova was actually the money leader for the first day thanks to two wins and a share of the third-place relay.

The meet concludes on Sunday and will be televised on NBC’s Olympic Channel at 2 p.m. Eastern time. Summaries so far:

FINA Champions Series II
Budapest (HUN) ~ 11-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Men

50 m Freestyle: 1. Ben Proud (GBR), 21.52; 2. Bruno Fratus (BRA), 21.67; 3. Vladimir Morozov (RUS), 21.77; 4. Anthony Ervin (USA), 22.82.

200 m Freestyle: 1. Danas Rapsys (LTU). 1:46.74; 2. Aleksandr Krasnykh (RUS), 1:46.91; 3. Dominik Kozma (HUN), 1:47.12; 4. Chad le Clos (RSA), 1:48.82.

100 m Backstroke: 1. Evgenii Rylov (RUS), 52.81; 2. Matt Grevers (USA), 53.09; 3. Kliment Kolesnikov (RUS), 53.75; 4. Jiayu Xu (CHN), 54.65.

100 m Breaststroke: 1. Fabio Scozzoli (ITA), 59.05; 2. Anton Chupkov (RUS), 59.21; 3. Ross Murdoch (GBR), 59.63; 4. Kevin Cordes (USA), 1:00.75.

50 m Butterfly: 1. Nicholas Santos (BRA), 22.60; Andrii Govorov (UKR), 22.87; 3. Michael Andrew (USA), 23.19; 4. Ben Proud (GBR), 23.68.

200 m Butterfly: 1. Kristof Milak (HUN), 1:53.64; 2. Masato Sakai (JPN), 1:55.40; 3. Chad Le Clos (RSA), 1:55.95; 4. Laszlo Cseh (HUN), 1:56.83.

200 m Medley: 1. Jacques Desplanches (SUI), 1:57.01; 2. Chase Kalisz (USA), 1:57.74; 3. Philip Heintz (GER), 1:58.39; 4. Shun Wang (CHN), 1:58.54.

Women

100 m Freestyle: 1. Sarah Sjostrom (SWE), 53.03, 2. Pernille Blume (DEN), 53.40; 3. Federica Pellegrini (ITA), 53.91; 4. Penny Oleksiak (CAN), 54.45.

400 m Free: 1. Ajna Kesely (HUN), 4:05.92; 2. Jianjiahe Wang (CHN), 4:07.50; 3. Holly Hibbott (GBR), 4:08.18; 4. Bingjie Li (CHN), 4:12.39.

50 m Backstroke: 1. Anastasia Fesikova (RUS), 27.58; 2. Georgia Davies (GBR), 27.89; 3. Etiene Medeiros (BRA), 28.25; 4. Emily Seebohm (AUS), 28.51.

200 m Backstroke: 1. Margherita Panziera (ITA), 2:06.41; 2. Katinka Hosszu (HUN), 2:08.16; 3. Seebohm (AUS), 2:08.89; 4. Katalin Butian (HUN), 2:09.00.

50 m Breaststroke: 1. Yulia Efimova (RUS), 30.26; 2. Molly Hannis (USA), 30.77; 3. Imogen Clark (GBR), 30.85; 4. Katie Meili (USA), 30.98.

200 m Breast: 1. Yuliya Efimova (RUS), 2:22.52; 2. Eszter Bekesi (HUN), 2:27.54; 3. Meili (USA), 2:27.86; 4. Hannis (USA), 2:29.57.

100 m Butterfly: 1. Sjostrom (SWE), 56.78; 2. Farida Osman (EGY), 58.32; 3. Oleksiak (CAN), 58.52; 4. Dana Vollmer (USA), 1:01.23.

Mixed

4×100 m Freestyle: 1. Team 1 (Desplanches/SUI, Ress/USA, O’Connor/GBR, Okelsiak/CAN), 3:27.63; 2. Team 3 (Cseh/HUN, Grevers/USA, Medeiros/BRA, Hibbott/GBR), 3:29.43; 3. Team 4 (Metella./FRA, Timmers/NED, Efimova/RUS, Kesely/HUN), 3:31.69; 4. Heintz/GER, Prenot/USA, Clark/GBR, Davies/GBR), 3:33.64.

ATHLETICS: U.S. starts World Relays with wins in two oddball Mixed events

By
Rich Perelman
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American middle-distance star Donavan Brazier

The Shuttle Hurdles and 2x2x400 m relays are – at best – fun events for U.S. spring relay meets, but they were front and center as the highlights of the first day of the fourth IAAF World Relays.

In front of an announced crowd of 15,000 in the Yokohama International Stadium, these were the only two finals on the first day of the meet. In the 2x2x400 m, Kenya took the lead by running Collin Kipruto on the first leg – one of just two teams to run a man first – and grabbed a seven-second lead over the rest of the field, including Ce’Aira Brown of the U.S.

American Donavan Brazier made up most of the deficit on his leg and handed off to Brown just behind Kenya’s Eglay Nalyanya. But Kipruto took over again and handed off with a 7.0-second lead over Australia and 7.8 seconds over the U.S.

But Brazier was up to the challenge and ran the final 400 m in 48.82 and took the lead into the final straightaway for a 3:36.92 win and a “world record” … according to Brazier. Australia’s Joshua Ralph came home second, but the Kenyans were disqualified for running inside the curb.

In the Shuttle Hurdles, only the U.S. and Japan actually ran, as Jamaican injuries prevented them from running and Australia was disqualified for a false start. Japan had the lead for 2 1/2 legs, but then Sharika Nelvis took control on the third leg and Devon Allen finished cleanly for an easy U.S. victory.

In the races that the fans had actually seen before, Great Britain led the men’s 4×100 m qualifying with a world-leading 38.11, with the U.S. winning its heat in 38.34 with Michael Rodgers, Justin Gatlin, Isiah Young and Cameron Burrell. The time was only the fourth-fastest of the day, but the U.S. was not pressed.

In the men’s 4×400 m, the U.S. led the qualifying at 3:02.06, with Nathan Strother (44.80), Josephus Lyles (46.40), Paul Dedewo (45.10) and Ja’Von Hutchison (45.76) handling the stick. Trinidad & Tobago ran 3:02.49 as the next fastest, winning heat three.

The U.S. led the women’s 4×1 heats, running a world-leading 42.51 with Mikiah Brisco, Ashley Henderson, Dezerea Bryant and Aleia Hobbs on board. Germany was next fastest at 43.03. In the women’s 4×4, the U.S. ran a world-leading 3:25.72 with Jaide Stepter (51.60), Jordan Lavender (51.50), Joanna Atkins (51.40) and Courtney Okolo (51.22) cruising; no one else broke 3:28.

The final day (Sunday) begins at 5:00 a.m. Eastern time and will be televised in the U.S. on NBC’s Olympic Channel. Summaries:

IAAF World Relays
Yokohama (JPN) ~ 11-12 May 2019
(Full results here)

Mixed

2x2x400 m: 1. Ce’Aria Brown/Donavan Brazier (USA), 3:36.92 (world best); 2. Catriona Bisset/Joshua Ralph (AUS), 3:37.61; 3. Ayano Shiomi/Allon Clay (JPN), 3:38.36; 4. Anna Dobek/Patryk Dobek (POL), 3:42.14; 5. Marina Arzamasova/Aliaksandr Vasileuskiy (BLR), 3:51.64.

Shuttle Hurdles: 1. United States (Christina Clemons, Freddie Crittenden, Sharika Nelvis, Devon Allen), 54.96; 2. Japan (Kimura, Takayama, Aoki, Kanai), 55.59; only finishers.

ATHLETICS Flash: World-leading 13.07 for Grant Holloway in SEC Prelims!

By
Rich Perelman
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Wold 110 m hurdles leader Grant Holloway (Photo: jenaragon94 via Wikimedia)

The conditions were perfect at John McDonnell Field at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for the Southeastern Conference Championships, and Florida’s Grant Holloway took advantage.

In the first race of the evening, Holloway blasted out of the blocks in the heats of the men’s 110 m hurdles and didn’t hit a single barrier on the way to a new lifetime best of 13.07, with a legal 1.8 m/s wind behind him.

He had competition from Kentucky star Daniel Roberts two lanes over, but he finished a distant second in 13.31.

For Holloway, still a junior at Florida, it was also a world-leading mark, much faster than the 13.21 from China’s Wenjun Xie to win the Asian Championships on 24 April.

Holloway is the U.S. hope in the hurdles; consider that his 13.07 is the fastest American time in the event since Devon Allen’s surprise 13.03 to win the 2016 Olympic Trials. He still has the finals ahead of him on Saturday, but with the weather not expected to be as helpful.

Much more, including replays of the race here.

ATHLETICS Panorama: White runs world-leading 10.96; U.S. Conference Champs this weekend; another sub-2:00 try by Kipchoge

By
Rich Perelman
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Another sub-2:00 marathon try for Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge

The U.S. collegiate season is reaching its peak beginning this weekend with a mass of conference championships across the country. The early meets have already produced one world-leading mark, a 10.96 women’s 100 m from North Carolina A&T senior Kayla White, who won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) at Greensboro, North Carolina.

To follow the conference meets individually, check out the USTFCCCA portal site here, or you can see a rolling summary of what’s going on at the USTFCCCA weekend-in-review page here.

The International Olympic Committee announced a couple more doping positives from its re-analysis program from the London 2012 Games, including Ineta Radevica (LAT), who finished fourth in the women’s long jump.

Her re-test showed the presence of the prohibited anabolic steroid Oxandrolone in testing done in September 2018 and after all of the procedures were followed, giving Radevica the opportunity for a hearing (she provided a defense in writing), the decision was announced on Friday (10 May).

The winner of the women’s long jump silver in the 2011 IAAF World Championships, she retired after the 2012 Games. Her disqualification is the fifth in the women’s long jump, with athletes from Russia, Belarus, Ukraine and Turkey already identified, and affecting places 4-5-7 in the final.

More doping news: the Athletics Integrity Unit has been busy and issued five sanctions in the past week:

● 02 May: Reneilwe Aphane (RSA) ~ 3 1/2 years ineligibility
● 05 May: Glory Nathaniel Onome (NGR) ~ 4 years ineligibility
● 06 May: Aleksei Savin (RUS) ~ 4 years ineligibility
● 06 May: Kseniya Savina (RUS) ~ 12 years ineligibility
● 09 May: Maria Guadalupe Gonzalez (MEX) ~ 4 years ineligibility

Aphane is a South African triple jumper and 2017 national champion with a best of 16.75 m (54-11 1/2); he is banned from 28 February 2018.

Nathaniel Onome (NGR) was the 2018 African Champion in the 400 m Hurdles with a best of 55.01. She was caught for the steroid Stanozolol, as of 30 August 2018.

Savina was a former Ukrainian national who transferred allegiance to Russia in 2014. She had an 800 m best of 1:59.97 from 2017, but was caught for doping (EPO) and then tampering with the doping control “process” by providing forged records of her medications. Her reward is 12 years of ineligibility, with her results annulled from 16 May of 2018. She can appeal the decision, but at 29, her career is likely over, and she has reportedly retired. Her husband and coach, Aleksei Savin, was also found to be part of the tampering scheme and given a four-year ban.

Savina is also reportedly being investigated for using an assumed identity to allow her to compete, of Ukrainian friend Galina Syshko.

Guadalupe Gonzalez was the Olympic silver medalist in the women’s 20 km walk in Rio in 2016 and at the 2017 World Championships in London. She was found to be using steroids including Trenbolone and is banned for four years from 16 November 2018.

WADA and the AIU are getting more efficient at finding the cheaters, but it does not appear to have stopped them. More work is needed.

After his dominating performance at the London Marathon, winning in the no. 2 time ever, Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge appears ready to take another shot at a time trial to break the 2:00 barrier.

Reuters reported that his second time trial at he distance will apparently come in London in a “Ineos 1:59 Challenge” underwritten by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, head of the Ineos chemical firm.

The event is likely to be held in September or October on a loop course and if carefully staged, might be eligible for world-record consideration by the IAAF. Nevertheless, Kipchoge said at the announcement of the event last Monday, “This would really surpass everything because this will go in the history as far as the human family is concerned.

“It is not about recognition or ratification but to make history and to pass on a message that no human is limited. Running the fastest-ever marathon of 2:00.25 was the proudest moment of my career.”

The announcement itself had some drama, being made at the Iffley Road running track in Oxford where Roger Bannister broke the four-minute mile barrier on the same date in 1954.

Kipchoge’s decision for another sub-2:00 try in the fall means he will skip the IAAF World Championships in Doha (QAT). He has never run the marathon at the IAAF Worlds, but knows the event well from his five entries in the 5,000 m, where he won a gold and a silver in 2003-07.

Athletics International reported that Kenya will still field an excellent Worlds marathon squad of defending champ Geoffrey Kirui (2:06:27 lifetime best in 2016), Laban Korir (2:05:54 ‘16), Amos Kipruto (2:05:43 ‘17), Paul Lonyangata (2:06:10 ‘17) and Ernest Ngeno (2:06:41 ‘18).

CYCLING Preview: No clear favorite as former champs Sagan, Van Garderen and Bennett return for Amgen Tour of California

By
Rich Perelman
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Another win in Quebec coming up for Slovakia's Peter Sagan? (Photo: Amgen Tour of California)

The 19th Amgen Tour of California kicks off on Sunday, just a day after the start of the Giro d’Italia. Does this make any sense at all?

Maybe only in the cycling world, where the Amgen Tour has become an important prep race for the Tour de France. The 2019 course runs, as usual, from northern California south and has four mountainous stages out of seven. The schedule:

● 12 May: Stage 1 (143.0 km): Sacramento to Sacramento (flat)
● 13 May: Stage 2 (194.5 km): Rancho Cordova to South Lake Tahoe (hilly)
● 14 May: Stage 3 (207.0 km): Stockton to Morgan Hill (mountains)
● 15 May: Stage 4 (212.5 km): Raceway Laguna Seca to Morro Bay (hilly)
● 16 May: Stage 5 (218.5 km): Pismo Beach to Ventura (mountains)
● 17 May: Stage 6 (127.5 km): Ontario to Mount Baldy (mountain finish)
● 18 May: Stage 7 (141.0 km): Santa Clarita to Pasadena (mountains)

In terms of the field, there are five prior medal winners participating this year:

● Peter Sagan (SVK) ~ Winner in 2015
● Tejay van Garderen (USA) ~ Winner in 2013; second in 2018
● George Bennett (NZL) ~ Winner in 2017
● Rohan Dennis (AUS) ~ Second in 2016
● Lawson Craddock (USA) ~ Third in 2014

In addition, Sagan leads the field with 16 prior stage wins , with Mark Cavendish (GBR) second with 10 and Toms Skujins (LAT) with three.

There’s no clear favorite, and there are lots of starters who will be looking to find their form ahead of Le Tour, including David de la Cruz (ESP), Danny van Poppel (NED), Maximilian Schachmann (GER), John Degenkolb (GER), Richie Porte (AUS), Fabio Jakobsen (NED), Rigoberto Uran (COL) and Nacer Bouhanni (FRA).

NBCSN will have coverage of the Amgen Tour, beginning at 3:00 p.m. Pacific time on Sunday, for Stage 1. The complete broadcast schedule is here. Look for results here.

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