The men’s Tour de France recently reached its destination, Paris, and the 2022 edition concluded with a new champion.
Jonas Vingegaard overcame the scare of a near-crash to come in second behind Jumbo-Visma teammate Wout van Aert in the Lacapelle-Marival to Rocamadour individual time trial.
It extended Vingegaard’s advantage over two-time reigning champion Tadej Pogacar to three minutes and 34 seconds, meaning the Danish rider stood on the top step of the podium in the yellow jersey after the ceremonial final stage in Paris.
In an enthralling race, the elite athletic ability of Vingegaard, Podacar and Van Aert really stood out.
Gruelling mountain hikes, cumbersome cobblestone streets and long sprint sections demanded a lot of all who competed. Crashes with other competitors and collisions with media motorbikes added to what is an event of monumental proportions.
Team Jumbo-Visma dominated this year’s race, in part because a Covid-19 outbreak hindered Pogacar’s UAE Team Emirates squad.
The formidable Van Aert will take home the green points jersey. Vingegaard also has the polka-dot King of the Mountains jersey in his possession. Team Jumbo-Visma won six stage sections.
Sam stays in the rabbit warren
Rabbitohs great Sam Burgess has rejected a move to join Wayne Bennett’s coaching staff at the Dolphins to return to Redfern.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Burgess has recommitted his future to the Rabbitohs and is expected to join South Sydney as an assistant to Jason Demetriou in 2023.
It’s understood Burgess was being courted by the NRL’s newest franchise but South Sydney managed to convince the club great to return under Jason Demetriou rather than his former coach.
