Lewis Hamilton is confident he will be in the mix for a first win of the season at Sunday's French Grand Prix, claiming Mercedes' struggles will make their next victory all the more satisfying.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton sits sixth in the 2022 drivers' standings, having failed to post a race win since losing the 2021 title to Max Verstappen in contentious circumstances.
The Mercedes star has been in improved form of late, however, recording three successive podiums after a run of seven outings without a top-three finish.
Having been badly affected by issues with the Silver Arrows' W13 car earlier this season, the 37-year-old is hopeful of a landmark success at Le Castellet on Sunday, in what will be his 300th Formula One race.
Asked if he had a realistic chance of victory in France, Hamilton said: "I hope so, that's what we're all working towards.
"I'm working towards getting that win so I do believe at some stage we will be able to compete with these guys, whether it's this weekend or in five races' time. The journey is the important part.
"I think we started off not where we wanted to be. We've made progress, and we've started to hit a patch of consistency. I'm really proud of the process. We've sharpened our tools in other areas, so when we do get back to where we deserve to be, I think we'll appreciate it that much more."
Hamilton has named Fernando Alonso as the toughest opponent of his career to date, as he professed his hope the 40-year-old, who has put together a run of six successive top-10 finishes with Alpine, will continue in Formula One for years to come.
"I think it's difficult to say who has necessarily been the strongest competitor because every time you're with someone, you're in a different place in your life," Hamilton said.
"I remember the task of being alongside Fernando when I was 22. I was so young mentally and, of course, OK in terms of skill, but it's a lot of pressure to go up against a great like Fernando.
"I would say on pure pace, Fernando [is the toughest]. We had some good battles.
"I wish we could have more. Hopefully he will continue to race, so hopefully we'll have more in the future."
Jonas Vingegaard raced to victory on stage 18 of the Tour de France to extend his general classification lead as Jumbo-Visma all but clinched the three main jerseys.
Vingegaard started the 143.2-kilometre route between Lourdes and Hautacam, the last mountain stage of Le Tour, with a lead of two minutes and 18 seconds over defending champion Tadej Pogacar.
But Jumbo-Visma star Vingegaard stretched that lead to three minutes and 26 seconds on Thursday, with team-mate Wout van Aert starring before allowing the Dane to take over in the final four kilometres to triumph.
Numerous riders tried and failed to contest with the yellow jersey contenders throughout the climb, with a moment of sportsmanship between Pogacar and Vingegaard coming with 28 kilometres to go.
Vingegaard almost crashed, but it was Pogacar who ended up falling in the descent. The Dane then slowed in front to wait for the UAE Team Emirates rider before the pair shook hands and continued.
"I think he kind of missed the corner and then he went down into the gravel. The bike disappeared. I waited for him," Vingegaard said of the incident after victory before dedicating the win to his team.
"It's incredible. This morning, I said to my girlfriend and my daughter that I wanted to win for them and I did. This one is for my two girls back home.
"I was just happy that it finally ended. I am so really happy that I won the stage, but there are more days to come.
"Luckily, I have to thank all my team-mates. You see Wout van Aert dropped Pogacar in the end. Everyone was incredible. They were all incredible."
VINGEGAARD OUT TO END POGACAR RUN
Vingegaard was quick to quell talk of his potential yellow jersey victory, telling reporters: "I don't want to talk about it. Let's talk about it in two days."
But the 25-year-old is on the verge of securing both the general classification (GC) and king of the mountains titles, which would halt Pogacar's search for history, while Van Aert comfortably leads the points classification.
Pogacar has been aiming to become the first rider since Richard Virenque to win the polka dot best climber's jersey in three consecutive editions, and the second to win his first three Tour de France races after Eddy Merckx, who triumphed in the GC on his first five attempts.
STAGE RESULTS
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 3:59:50
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +1:04
3. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) +2:10
4. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) +2:54
5. David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) +2:58
CLASSIFICATION STANDINGS
General Classification
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 71:53:34
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) +3:26
3. Geraint Thomas (INEOS Grenadiers) +8:00
Points Classification
1. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) 451
2. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 219
3. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) 196
King of the Mountains
1. Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) 72
2. Simon Geschke (Cofidis) 64
3. Giulio Ciccone (Trek–Segafredo) 61
Karim Adeyemi described Sebastien Haller's health scare as "a smack in the face" for Borussia Dortmund – and revealed why Jurgen Klopp influenced his move to the German giants.
Forwards Adeyemi and Haller have joined Dortmund as last season's Bundesliga runners-up look for a way to cope without Erling Haaland, who left for Manchester City.
However, Haller may be out for some time after medical checks this week discovered a testicular tumour. Haller was with his new club in Switzerland when he complained of feeling unwell at training on Monday, and the 28-year-old has since returned to Germany.
Ivory Coast striker Haller arrived on a four-year deal from Dutch champions Ajax, while Germany international Adeyemi has come to Dortmund from Salzburg.
According to Adeyemi, Dortmund have the resources to battle on without Haller.
"At this point once again all the best to Sebastien," Adeyemi said. "I think for all of us it was a smack in the face, but I don't think we have to replace anyone.
"We try to keep playing football and I don't know, maybe a different formation or someone else up front in attack would help as well. I think in the end we have the quality to play with another forward."
Dortmund, who face Spanish side Villarreal in a friendly on Friday, will be hoping Haller soon recovers and is able to show his best for the club. Haller was the Eredivisie's top scorer with 21 goals in 31 games last season, while netting 11 times in eight Champions League matches.
Only Robert Lewandowski (13) and Karim Benzema (15) scored more Champions League goals than Haller, who is returning to German football after previously playing for Eintracht Frankfurt.
Adeyemi has yet to play in the Bundesliga, having left Bayern Munich as a 16-year-old in 2018 to join Salzburg. Now 20, he recalled how he loved watching Dortmund when Klopp, now Liverpool's manager, was in charge of BVB.
Klopp was Dortmund's boss from 2008 to 2015, with the young Adeyemi dazzled by a team that twice won the Bundesliga and reached the 2013 Champions League final.
"As a child, I often looked at Dortmund and found the Klopp time very, very formative," Adeyemi said. "I think I also like the style of play very much. And yes, in the end I drew the line with my family and said that we want to go this way."
Last season, Adeyemi was joint top scorer in the Austrian Bundesliga with 19 goals, and second overall in goal involvements after adding five assists to that haul.
Sebastian Vettel has dismissed speculation linking him with a move to McLaren as "just rumours" as his "clear intention" is to stay with Aston Martin.
Four-time world champion Vettel's contract expires at the end of this season.
With McLaren's Daniel Ricciardo enduring a difficult year, posting just three top-10 finishes to sit 12th in the drivers' standings, there has been talk he could leave the sport, with Vettel touted as a potential replacement.
When asked about Vettel's future last month, Aston Martin boss Mike Krack said: "We were always clear that if he wants to continue, we would like him to stay."
Speaking ahead of the French Grand Prix, the German says there is nothing in talk that he could be on his way to McLaren.
He said: "I think Lando [Norris] has a contract… No, I obviously know some people there, but I think it's just rumours."
The 35-year-old hopes to come to an agreement with Aston Martin before long.
He added: "Well, I'm racing this weekend, and the next one. Then yeah, obviously I've said that at some point, we will start to talk.
"I'm talking to the team; I think there is a clear intention to keep going. We'll see soon where we stand."
Phil Simmons says West Indies must address their batting frailties in a three-match one-day international series against India.
The Windies were consigned to a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Bangladesh on home soil and face a huge challenge when they face India.
Nicholas Pooran has endured a poor start to his tenure as captain and India are strong favourites to win a series that starts at Queen's Park Oval on Friday.
The highest total West Indies posted against the Tigers was only 178 and they have failed to bat out the full 50 overs time and again.
Head coach Simmons is demanding more application at the crease ahead of the series in Port of Spain.
"We have players quite capable of batting for long periods, but we need to get it together and hold strong," Simmons said.
"Players like [Shai] Hope and [Kyle] Mayers are Test batsmen, so they have the temperament to bat right through the innings."
He added: "The main thing is how we bat our 50 overs…we have to bat 50 overs and put our innings together and partnerships together.
"Somebody has to be looking to score a hundred and hold the team together. Batting-wise that is it."
Shikhar Dhawan captains the tourists as Rohit Sharma is rested along with the struggling Virat Kohli and paceman Jasprit Bumrah for a series that does not fall under the banner of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.
India have won 10 of their past 11 ODIs versus the Windies, with the only loss coming in Chennai back in December 2019.
Holder return boosts Windies
Good news has been in short supply for West Indies, but the return of all-rounder Jason Holder can give them a lift.
The former skipper was given a break for the Bangladesh series and the Windies will be hoping he is fresh and ready to fire on his return.
Holder needs another four wickets to become the seventh West Indies bowler to take 150 ODI wickets.
India can show strength in depth
Dhawan is set to lead a young side as India look to show their strength in depth with the World Cup to come on home soil next year.
Deepak Hooda and Arshdeep Singh are among the players who will be looking to make their mark in the Caribbean.
Ishan Kishan will also hope to get another chance at the top of the order.
Inter vice president Javier Zanetti is unsure whether Alexis Sanchez will remain a Nerazzurri player amid reports of interest from Saudi Arabia.
The Chilean 33-year-old arrived from Manchester United in 2019, initially joining on a season-long loan before signing a permanent deal in 2020.
He was part of the 2020-21 Inter side which delivered their first Serie A title since the 2009-10 season, while he also scored a 121st minute winner to help his team lift the 2022 Supercoppa Italiana in January.
Sanchez only scored five goals in 27 Serie A appearances for Inter last season, though he was either substituted on or off in 25 of those matches, and there has subsequently been talk of a move away from San Siro.
It has been reported that Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr have made an offer for Sanchez, but Zanetti was coy when asked about the forward's situation.
Zanetti told En Cancha: "He has started training with the team and is training with the whole squad.
"The transfer market is open, but today he is still one of our players."
Having already signed Romelu Lukaku on loan from Chelsea, Inter had looked set to further strengthen their attacking options with the acquisition of Paulo Dybala, who left Juventus at the end of his contract in June.
The 19-time Serie A champions appeared to be frontrunners to sign Dybala, but the Argentine has instead joined Jose Mourinho's Europa Conference League winners Roma ahead of the 2022-23 campaign.
Inter may also lose Milan Skriniar, who has been strongly linked with a move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, although Nerazzurri goalkeeper Samir Handanovic said it was "essential" to keep the defender on Thursday.
Raheem Sterling hailed the "winning mentality" of Thomas Tuchel's Chelsea side as he targeted silverware after swapping Manchester City for the Blues.
Having won four Premier League titles in a successful seven-year spell with City, Sterling completed a £45million move to Chelsea earlier this month.
Chelsea's top league goalscorer last season was Sterling's England team-mate Mason Mount with 11, and the signing of the 27-year-old Sterling should give the Blues more cutting edge. Sterling's haul of 91 Premier League goals is a total that has been bettered only among City players by Sergio Aguero (184).
Chelsea have not won a Premier League title since Antonio Conte's men triumphed in the 2016-17 season, but they have collected several pieces of silverware in the intervening years.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have won the Champions League, Europa League, FIFA Club World Cup and both domestic cups since that success, and Sterling's desire to lift major trophies was a key factor in his decision to make the move.
"In the last two years, it's four or five finals that you guys have been in, you won the Champions League and are now looking to challenge for the Premier League," Sterling told Chelsea's website.
"It's something that intrigued me when I was having a conversation with the club.
"Seeing the direction that you guys are going in, it's something I really bought into and I just felt it is a place where I can really come into my own. I just think it's the perfect platform for me.
"The club's already got that winning mentality, but to keep doing it every single year and keep winning more and more trophies and building on the previous season, I think that's what top managers like Thomas do.
"It's not one year win and next year rest, it's again and again and again, and that's what excites me to be here."
Having been allowed to leave City to make room for marquee arrival Erling Haaland, Sterling explained how Tuchel's faith in him was also a crucial consideration.
"You can see how genuine he was and how much he wanted me here, and that was the nail on it for me," Sterling said. "I was certain that this is a place I want to be.
"I feel at home already, and I'm just going to keep putting the work in and can't wait to gel even more with [my team-mates].
"I know how much more I have to offer. I still feel within myself that there's another step that I've been fighting to get to, and I think this is the perfect platform for me to do that."
Sterling could make his Premier League debut for Chelsea when they travel to Everton on August 6.
Tokyo Olympics 400m finalists Shaunae Miller-Uibo, Marileidy Paulino, Candice McLeod and Stephenie-Ann McPherson all advanced to Friday’s 400m finals at the conclusion of the semi-final round of competition at the 2022 World Championships of Athletics at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on Wednesday night.
Jurgen Klinsmann labelled Robert Lewandowski as a legend for Bayern Munich after his move to Barcelona, while he has no doubts the Bundesliga champions would welcome the striker back.
Lewandowski secured his long-awaited move to Barca earlier in the week, leaving in a deal worth up to €50million as he penned a four-year contract with the Blaugrana.
The Poland talisman scored 50 goals in all competitions last season, the most in Europe's top five leagues, and leaves behind a legacy in the Bundesliga.
Lewandowski scored 312 Bundesliga goals across spells with Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, with only Gerd Muller (365) managing more in the competition's history.
After departing Bayern having accumulated 344 goals and 57 assists across 375 appearances in all competitions, Klinsmann insists Lewandowski will be remembered fondly by the Bavarian giants.
"Well, I think in the short term, there's a little bit of sadness," Klinsmann, who played for Bayern between 1995 and 1997, told GOAL.
"Maybe also a little bit of attention because there was still hope that he would stay and not get moved out.
"I think you let the grass grow for a couple of months and then I think all of Bayern Munich fans, the club, everyone involved will be forever thankful to Robert for what he's done.
"He will be definitely one of the biggest legends in the history of the club, one of the most exciting, one of the most exceptional players.
"There will be an opportunity when he comes back. Maybe it's a friendly game, or it's maybe even, down the road, a European cup competition or whatever, where he will get an exceptional reception from the Bayern fans.
"For a couple of weeks, maybe there will be a little bit of bitterness for some of the fans, but that goes away, definitely goes away. So in the long run, he will be remembered as one of their greatest."
Bayern had already brought in Sadio Mane from Liverpool, alongside Ajax duo Ryan Gravenberch and Noussair Mazraoui, before signing Matthijs de Ligt after Lewandowski's departure.
Having won the Bundesliga for an unprecedented 10th time in a row last season, Klinsmann cannot envisage Bayern relinquishing their German top-flight dominance in the near future.
"I think they've done tremendously well," Klinsmann added. "They came up with Mane and I was really impressed.
"I thought that he was at the right place there with Jurgen Klopp and he's done fantastic, absolutely fantastic, with Liverpool then also with the national team and we're going to see him in Qatar in November and December. So to get him from Liverpool is a big deal, a really big deal.
"Then they added another huge piece in De Ligt, a very young, highly-promising centre back and growing at the age of 22. He's already a leader. That's huge.
"Knowing Bayern Munich, they're always looking. They're always checking the market and when there's the opportunity to get another one or two very, very crucial pieces for their puzzle, they're going to do it.
"Don't be surprised if they do it but from one of their main rivals because that's what they traditionally did over the last 30-40 years, but they've already kind of covered up a lot in this transfer market and any other player now coming in as just another piece of quality."
The men's tennis tour has scrapped plans to stage four tournaments in China later this year as the pandemic continues to take its toll on the sporting calendar.
Mandatory quarantine rules make it unfeasible for international players and tour officials to travel to the events, including the Shanghai Masters, a top-tier ATP 1000 tournament.
The lucrative Shanghai event had been due to run from October 9-16 and would have featured many of the world's top players.
Also cancelled are the Chengdu Open and the Zhuhai Championships, which were scheduled to begin on September 26, and the China Open, billed for the following week.
The ATP said it had cancelled the three-week China swing "due to ongoing restrictions related to COVID-19".
It marks a third successive year in which the run of tournaments has had to be cancelled, with China last hosting ATP events in 2019, before the pandemic hit.
At the same time as it cancelled the tournaments in China on Thursday, the ATP made provision for its players to keep earning by announcing six new events to take place in September and October.
Those events will be played in San Diego, Seoul, Tel Aviv, Florence, Gijon and Naples, the ATP said, with all at ATP 250 level, the lowest rung of the main tour.
The WTA, which runs the women's tour, announced last December it would be suspending all its tournaments in China due to concerns over the wellbeing of Peng Shuai, a professional tennis player who appeared to allege she had been sexually assaulted by a powerful former government official.
Former doubles world number one Peng has since denied making the accusations, yet the WTA has remained concerned for her safety and freedom.
Manchester United face a "long road" before they can mount a Premier League title challenge but signing Frenkie de Jong would make a "huge difference", according to Jamie Carragher.
United have won all three of their pre-season contests under Erik ten Hag, including a 4-0 thrashing of Liverpool in their first outing under the Dutchman.
The Red Devils broke a number of unwanted records during their dire 2021-22 Premier League season, posting their lowest points tally (58) and worst defensive record (57 goals conceded) in the competition's history.
Despite United impressing during their tour of Asia and Australia, Ten Hag warned on Tuesday there was a "lot of work" remaining and Carragher echoed similar sentiments.
Asked by Sky Sports whether he feared United could rival his beloved Liverpool, Carragher said: "I wouldn't say [I'm] nervous.
"I think there's a long road for United that they're on at the moment in terms of challenging for the title.
"I think the first thing when it comes to Ten Hag and the players they're bringing in will be, 'we need to get this club back in the Champions League, where it belongs'. That's where Manchester United should be.
"They're one of the biggest clubs in the world, never mind this country, so to not be in the Champions League just doesn't feel right, not when United are in the Europa League.
"So I think that's the first thing and I think once United do that, then it'll be looking at the title in the next couple of years.
"But it won't be easy to get back in the top four this season – not just for United but for any team who are normally in the top four.
"You'd expect [Manchester] City and Liverpool to do it because they're always going for the title, but you look at how strong Chelsea will be and the signings they're bringing in, Tottenham's work as well, Arsenal also.
"So I think competitively now in terms of getting in the top four, it's really tough, and it's proven that way for a lot of Manchester United managers with great CVs in the past.
"But there's no doubt this manager has a really good CV and they made a really good start in pre-season."
Having already added Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen to their squad, as well as agreeing a deal for versatile Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, United have been strongly linked with a move for talented Barcelona midfielder De Jong.
The future of the Netherlands international remains uncertain after he was included in Barcelona's squad for a tour of the United States, and Blaugrana president Joan Laporta has repeatedly claimed the Catalan giants do not need to sell the 25-year-old.
Carragher believes De Jong would have a huge impact should he make the switch to Old Trafford.
"It'll be interesting if they get De Jong," he added. "I do think he's a top-class player and I think he would make a huge difference for them."
United's next pre-season outing sees them face Aston Villa in Perth on Saturday, before fixtures against Spanish duo Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano next week.
Michael Schumacher still enjoys following Formula One races and watches the sport at home alongside Jean Todt, the former Ferrari boss has revealed.
Seven-time world champion Schumacher suffered a skiing accident in December 2013 that left him with a serious brain injury.
The 53-year-old was placed into a medically induced coma after the incident in Meribel, France, before he was moved to the family home in Geneva the following year to be cared for by medical staff and his wife.
Schumacher has not been seen publicly since, though Todt still meets with his former Ferrari colleague, having teamed up with the German as he won five world titles between 2000 and 2004.
The pair continue to enjoy F1 together, with Schumacher watching on as his son Mick competes in his second season for Haas.
"I don't miss Michael, I see him," Todt told German broadcaster RTL after collecting the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia for Schumacher, alongside the former driver's wife Corinna and daughter Gina.
"Yes, it's true, I watch Grands Prix with Michael. But sure, I guess what I miss is what we used to do together.
"If it was emotional for you, you can imagine how emotional it was for me [collecting the award]. Emotional, but at the same time a great pride to be able to talk about Michael.
"You have people around you who are just special. And in a way, Michael is also very special. Corinna, Mick and Gina have also become special to me. They have all become family to me, to my wife and to my son."
Sevilla left defender Jules Kounde out of their pre-season squad for a trip to Portugal, as he looks to be on his way to Chelsea.
Kounde has been linked with a move for much of the transfer window, and it appears he is now close to changing clubs.
Chelsea have reportedly upped their bid to £55million, and Sevilla's decision to leave him out of plans for their camp in Portugal suggests he may indeed be heading to Stamford Bridge.
However, Barcelona are also reportedly keen on the Frenchman and could make a late attempt to pip the English side to his services.
Kounde signed for Sevilla from Bordeaux in 2019 and has impressed with the Spanish side, helping them to win the Europa League in the 2019-20 campaign.
He would add steel to his new side's backline, after he ranked first in duels won (169) and second in blocks (17) among Sevilla players in LaLiga last season, as well as second in headed clearances (56).
Scott Robertson will join Ronan O'Gara in coaching the Barbarians against an All Blacks XV, as the Crusaders boss continues to be linked with the New Zealand top job.
The Barbarians game will be played at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on November 13 as the teams battle for the Killik Cup.
Robertson has been strongly linked with the New Zealand national side as speculation surrounds head coach Ian Foster's future, after a 32-22 defeat to Ireland condemned the All Blacks to a first home series defeat in 28 years.
Former New Zealand Under-20 team coach Robertson is reportedly in the running to take over if Foster does indeed lose his job.
Welcoming his appointment for the All Blacks XV fixture, Robertson told the Barbarians' official website: "Rugby throws you great opportunities and coaching the Baa-baas has to be one of the best there is.
"I am proud to help the incredible club and add to its history."
The series defeat to Ireland could also be the last act of New Zealand captain Sam Cane's tenure, with reports stating he could be replaced by Sam Whitelock ahead of the series in South Africa next month.
Cane took the job in 2020, succeeding Kieran Read, but could be losing the armband after just 13 Tests.
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