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endless climb, white paths and time trial in Nice… the five stages not to be missed

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Find the five key stages of the Tour de France 2024, which will start from Florence on June 29 and reach Nice on July 23.

An already historic edition. For the first time in history, the Tour de France will not arrive in Paris, due to preparations for the Olympic Games. So the management of the Grande Boucle got organized, trusting in a city well known to the peloton and the organization: Nice, the usual final playground of the “Race to the Sun” in the spring. Three weeks before the outcome, judged by a time trial on the Côte d’Azur, the peloton will begin its summer campaign in Florence, the Tuscan city becoming the 25th European city to host a Grand Départ from abroad . In the meantime, some spectacle, of course. Focus on five expected highlights of the 2024 Tour de France.

4th stage, Pinerolo-Valloire (138 km): first explanation in the mountains?

After a seemingly quiet warm-up through the roads of northern Italy, the peloton will cross the border on Tuesday, July 2, for the fourth stage. After starting from Pinerolo, a town bordering Turin, the runners will stay in Piedmont to reach Sestriere with an endless climb (39.9 km at 3.7%) on the menu for the first difficulty. Then head to the other side of the Hautes-Alpes with the climb of the Col de Montgenèvre (8.3 km at 5.9%) before the first main course of the 111th edition: the Col du Galibier. Climbed from its southern slope (23 km at 5.1%), the legendary Galibier, at the top of which sits the Souvenir Henri Desgrange, creator of the Grande Boucle, will be used for the 37th time by the Tour route.

A perfect playground for a first explanation between favorites… or a first French exploit? During the last two passages at the top of the Galibier in 2022 (11th and 12th stages), it was two French riders who took the lead (Warren Barguil and Anthony Perez). This year, the first person to the summit will only have the descent to Valloire to negotiate…

The fourth stage of the Tour de France will be the first to give pride of place to the mountains. ASO

9th stage, Troyes-Troyes (199 km): the curiosity of the white paths

The little treat of the 2024 edition. The day after the first arrival in history at Colombey-les-Deux-Eglises (Haute-Marne), place of vacation and burial of General De Gaulle, celebrated in this year of 80th anniversary of the Landings, the platoon will head towards Troyes. A long loop around the medieval city of Aube covered by 14 sectors of white paths (32 km) which are obviously tricky, as shown by a first passage of the women’s Tour de France in 2022.They are essential there because we break the litany of plain stages due to the geography of France. comments Christian Prudhomme, excited by the last six sectors posted in the last 30 kilometers of the stage.

14th stage, Pau-Saoint-Lary-Soulan Pla d’Adet: tribute to Poulidor

On the eve of the expected fireworks display on July 14 (four first category climbs before arriving on the Plateau de Beille, a pass classified out of category), the Grande Boucle peloton will pay tribute to one of its most illustrious figures. After returning to the legendary Col du Tourmalet (19 km at 7.4%) for the 62nd time since 1947, the peloton will head towards Saint-Lary-Soulan and finish with the Montée du Pla d’Adet, fifty years later the victory of Raymond Poulidor. The finish line will be drawn at the exact place where “Poupou” raised his arms. “The city of Saint-Lary will install a life-size statue of Poupou», Promises the Tour director.

The legendary climbs of the Tour de France

Access the slideshow (10)

19th stage, Embrun-Isola 2000 (144.6 km): final explanation on the roof of the Tour?

The last straight line. After almost three weeks of terrible efforts, the last survivors will offer themselves one last battle in the Alpes-Maritimes. On the menu, a “ultra-mountain stage that makes you dizzy», says Christian Prudhomme. First, two out-of-category climbs with the Col de Vars (18.8 km at 5.7%) then the Cime de la Bonette (22.9 km at 6.9%). Roof of the Tour perched at an altitude of 2,802 m, the Bonette will be taken for the sixth time in the history of the Tour, the first since 2008. Behind, a long descent towards Isola will take the peloton to the foot of the last difficulty of the day , the ascent to Isola 2000 (16.1 km at 7.1%). A perfect playground for a final explanation, provided that the issue remains at the top of the general ranking.

21st stage, Monaco-Nice (33.7 km): return of the epilogue of the time trial

A doubly historic arrival. For the first time in history, the finish of the Tour will be judged outside Paris. Paris Olympics obliges, the peloton will arrive in Nice, a well-known land of‘ASO. And to double the historic side of this finale, the 111th edition will end with a 34 km time trial between Monaco and Nice. Already worn out, the organizations will have to make a final effort by leaving the Principality towards La Turbie (8.1 km at 5.6%), the final climb in a big time which could move the last gaps. An outcome which summons the memory of 1989, the last final time of the Tour, when Greg LeMond stole victory from Laurent Fignon on the Champs-Elysées by just eight seconds. “Thirty-five years later, we dare to dream of a match, two or three, an absolute athletic confrontation whose outcome would determine the final podium of the 111th edition», savors Christian Prudhomme.

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SAD|| 10 Players Who Lost Everything After Divorce, Number 5 Will Shôck You

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The Hidden Financial Struggles of Footballers: Divorce’s Costly Toll

The glamorous image of professional footballers, with their luxurious lifestyles and multimillion-dollar contracts, often obscures a harsh reality: the financial devastation many endure through divorce. Behind the fame and fortune, several high-profile players have seen their wealth significantly depleted after parting ways with their spouses, a stark reminder that no amount of money can fully shield one of the financial pitfalls of personal relationships gone awry…Click Here To Continue Reading>> …Click Here To Continue Reading>>

 

One of the most shocking examples is that of former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué, who lost not only his properties in England but also custody of his children following a bitter divorce. Despite earning millions during his career, Eboué found himself stripped of almost everything. His situation became a cautionary tale, underscoring that even the wealthiest footballers can fall victim to the financial ruin that divorce can bring.

Eboué is not alone. Football legends such as Thierry Henry and Ryan Giggs have also experienced significant financial losses due to divorce. Henry reportedly paid £10 million to his ex-wife, while Giggs parted with an astonishing £40 million after his marriage ended. Louis Saha and Wes Brown, both former Manchester United players, also suffered substantial financial hits, with Brown declaring bankruptcy despite earning £50,000 per week during his time at the club. His case highlights how even vast earnings can quickly evaporate when faced with legal settlements and financial mismanagement.

David James, the former England goalkeeper, faced a particularly dire situation, losing much of his fortune after divorce and being forced to auction his personal belongings to make ends meet. Similarly, Ray Parlour, another Arsenal great, saw his ex-wife receive half of his £10 million fortune, including a £2.5 million house. Jamie Redknapp, a former Liverpool star, also faced a hefty settlement, parting with half of his estimated £15 million fortune after his marriage ended.

These are just a few of the many footballers who have faced financial disaster due to divorce. Keith Gillespie, once a key figure in the Premier League, lost over £7 million, leading to his bankruptcy in 2010. Despite earning significant wages during his career, his divorce and poor financial decisions left him in financial ruin. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Perhaps the most shocking case is that of Tendai Ndoro, a Zimbabwean striker who lost everything after registering all his properties in his wife’s name. Following their breakup, she kicked him out of the house, leaving him with nothing. Ndoro’s story serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of not protecting one’s assets, even in relationships where trust is implicit.

For footballers, whose careers often peak early, these financial setbacks can be devastating. While their salaries are among the highest in professional sports, the combination of short career spans, legal fees, and divorce settlements can quickly erode their fortunes. Many players also face additional challenges in managing their finances due to a lack of financial education or oversight during their playing years.

These stories underscore the importance of safeguarding personal wealth, especially for high-earning individuals like footballers, who may be more vulnerable to financial upheaval. Proper financial planning, asset protection strategies, and prenups are increasingly necessary tools for protecting one’s earnings and securing a stable future.

In conclusion, while the public sees footballers as insulated by their wealth, the reality is that they are just as susceptible to the financial hardships of divorce as anyone else. The personal struggles behind the scenes reveal that their lives, though glamorous on the surface, are often fraught with the same vulnerabilities and challenges faced by ordinary individuals. These cases serve as sobering reminders that financial security is never guaranteed, even for those at the pinnacle of success.

 

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NFL | The best was yet to come, and then no

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In February 2022, the Bengals missed the Super Bowl by three small points, but regardless, the future seemed bright in Cincinnati.


Posted at 1:13 a.m.

Updated at 7:00 a.m.

In any case, that’s what we, the most seasoned experts in American football, believed, capable of seeing the future each season, often in a very impressive way; for example, this column has been predicting since 1970 that the New York Jets are not going to win the Super Bowl, and that’s still exactly what happens.

The Bengals have never won anything, but their presence on the big stage two years ago suggested that, a bit like the Nordiques in 1990, the best was yet to come.

Well, no.

As of this hour, the Bengals are a dismal 1-4, and even then, their only win came against the Carolina Panthers, who are about as bad as they are.

The good news for the Bengals is that this “landing” is fairly easily explained: their defense is pretty awful. The less good news is that it is probably already too late to try to solve this problem.

In five games, the Bengals have allowed a total of 145 points, which gives a pretty staggering average of 29 points per game. No one else in the American Association looks this bad, and in the league as a whole, only the Carolina Panthers are even worse in this regard.

Meanwhile, the Bengals are wasting the best years of Joe Burrow, who turns 28 in December. He wouldn’t be the first quality quarterback to waste his talent in this uniform.

Is it necessary here to remember that in American football, as in life in general, there is never anything certain? This reality reminds us of this sublime quote from Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who once wrote that “supreme happiness is a hundred times sweeter to hope for than to obtain”.

Rousseau must have been a Bengals fan, obviously.

You are probably aware that the New York Jets fired their coachbut that’s not the worst. The worst part is that poor Robert Saleh would have been escorted to the door like a pauper by security agents.

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Former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh

It’s undoubtedly one of the worst moments in the history of a club that collects the worst moments, from Mark Sanchez dropping a ball on his lineman’s pussy, to a visibly hot Joe Namath trying to to kiss a reporter live on TV (we’re going to move on to the naughty photo of Brett Favre because there are children here).

We can never repeat it enough: in football, as in life, everything starts from the top. The leaders of the Jets, who display a level of competence similar to that of the inventors of Pepsi Crystal, thus opted for the easy way, instead of realizing that their ground game is non-existent, and that their quarterback who hears voices in his head is finished.

In addition, barely installed, new coach Jeff Ulbrich decided to give control of the attack to assistant Todd Downing, who will call the plays from now on. This is not a detail because this task previously fell to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, close and confidant of Aaron Rodgers.

It’s obvious that this is going to end very badly. As per usual.

Someone whispers in my ear that the inbox is overflowing again, so let’s get to it right away.

First, Luc Girouard from Sept-Îles sends us this timely little comment: “Would Prince Rodgers have plotted to kick Robert Saleh out in order to take his place? »

We all see what you did, Luc.

Then, there is a certain Nicolas B. from Laval who sent this: “Hi Richard. Great weekly column on football. Really entertaining. In addition, you allow my teenagers to read about football in French, which is still a challenge […] If you ever make a reference to my comment, my sports travel gang is buying me a beer on our next trip. »

You will demand a micro beer, Nicolas. Finally, there is Marco Campanozzi who can no longer hear about “mixing” and the right chair: “I can’t do it anymore!!! »

We are Marco.

It will be another great opportunity to lock yourself in front of the TV while pretending to do something constructive, because Sunday’s menu is particularly spicy.

Thus, Commanders in a state of grace will go to Baltimore to prove that they are serious, the Chargers will go to Denver in the hope of recovering after two defeats in a row, and the Cowboys will host the Lions, in a match that they can’t really let slip away, just to build something following the little miracle last Sunday night in Pittsburgh.

Don’t forget to check out the colors during halftime.

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A young badminton player realizes his deceased father’s dream

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Only 13 years old, badminton-player-honors-fathers-dream-at-nationals/” title=”13-year-old Saskatchewan badminton player honors father’s dream at nationals”>Gautham Sumesh is preparing to realize the dream of his father, who died six months ago: he will soon participate in the National Badminton Championship.

My father was really addicted to badmintonrecalls the Saskatchewan teenager. He really liked that I played.

Gautham Sumesh has been playing badminton since he was old enough to handle a racket. The first time he managed to beat his father, Sumesh Pulavathil, he was offered a drink to celebrate the event.

Sadly, Sumesh Pulavathil died in a road accident near Estevan last October.

Despite the tragedy, the teenager continues to carry his family’s dreams: Gautham Sumesh won the provincial championships this year and is preparing to participate in the National Championship in New Brunswick.

He would be really happyhe believes.

Dreaming of badminton

The young player’s parents left India in 2022 in the hope that their son would become a top badminton player.

: Gautham badminton”,”text”:”When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badminton”}}”>When we moved to Canada, we only had one thing in mind: Gautham badmintonexplains the latter’s mother, Gayathri Ramdas. It is the foundation of our family life.

Her husband put everything in place to help his son play. He bought him shoes and racquets, in addition to devoting many hours to coaching him and other children.

Sumesh Pulavathil (front) was an avid badminton player. (Archive photo)

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Although the family was devastated by Sumesh Pulavathil’s death, there was never any question of the teenager quitting badminton. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Since the death of his father, Gautham Sumesh has undergone intensive training, particularly in preparation for the provincial competition which took place in April.

He remembers that no one knew him when he started competing provincially, but that changed after his victory at the provincial championship.

: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”,”text”:”After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job! “Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with me”}}”>After I won, everyone said to me: “Hey, good job!” Everyone started talking to me and becoming friends with meexplained Gautham Sumesh.

A portrait of Sumesh Pulavathil (far left) and his family.

Photo: Provided by Gayathri Ramdas

Despite his son’s success in the championship, Gayathri Ramdas believes the victory was bittersweet due to his father’s absence.

Despite everything, she watched her son grow up and demonstrate the values ​​of sportsmanship and good play that she and her husband wanted to instill in him, as he harbored ambitions of becoming a professional badminton player.

I’m little by little catching up on all the dreams we had.

With information from Janani Whitfield

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