Cricket: Australia facing defeat at Lord’s

England were heading for victory in the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after reducing Australia to 178 for five wickets at tea on the fourth day. The 2007 Tour de France winner launched a devastating attack on the slopes of the final ascent of the day, leaving his rivals standing to finally cross the line 43 seconds ahead of Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, with Italian Vincenzo Nibali third another 20 seconds behind. The Spaniard’s success moves him one minute 37 seconds ahead of Astana teammate Lance Armstrong, after the American seven-time champion was left behind by Contador’s attack – eventually finishing down in ninth position

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Contador crushes Armstrong to take yellow

Alberto Contador destroyed his rivals in the first Alpine stage of the Tour de France, taking over the yellow jersey with an impressive victory in the 207.5km 15th stage from Pontarlier to Verbier. The 2007 Tour de France winner launched a devastating attack on the slopes of the final ascent of the day, leaving his rivals standing to finally cross the line 43 seconds ahead of Luxembourg’s Andy Schleck, with Italian Vincenzo Nibali third another 20 seconds behind.

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Sanchez wins stage as Nocentini keeps yellow

Spain’s Luis-Leon Sanchez won a sprint finish among a four-man breakaway group to claim stage eight of the Tour de France over the Pyrenees on Saturday. The Caisse d’Epargne rider timed his finish to perfection to cross the line just ahead of Frenchman Sandy Casar in a time of four hours 31 minutes and 50 seconds. Sanchez, Casar and two others — Mikel Astarloza and Vladimir Efimkin — had made a decisive break on the final climb, the Col d’Agnes, allowing the quartet to battle it out at the finish of the 176.5km hike from Andorra La Vella to St Girons.

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