May 4, 2025; McKinney, Texas, USA; Scottie Scheffler with his wife Meredith and son Bennett pose with the winner’s trophy during the final round of the THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson golf tournament. Scheffler won with a score of 31-under par for the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Scottie Scheffler bolted out of the blocks and didn’t look back last year at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
Scheffler recorded a scintillating 61 during the first round and a 63 in the second and fourth rounds as part of his eight-stroke, wire-to-wire victory. The 29-year-old Dallas resident set the tournament scoring record and tied the PGA Tour scoring record by finishing at a robust 31-under par 253.
“Yeah, definitely good memories from last year,” Scheffler said on Wednesday, one day before the start of this year’s tournament at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
“I had a really nice week, just played a lot of really solid golf. I was fortunate to be the winner at the end of the week.
“In terms of just getting ready for this week, it was nice to have a home week, especially coming off a major championship. Got some rest Monday, did some practice at Royal Oaks yesterday, Pro-Am today, and go home and get some rest and get ready for an early one tomorrow.”
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Scheffler made his PGA Tour debut in this event in 2014. The years have been kind to him, naturally, as he has fine-tuned his game to the point where he is the unquestioned top-ranked golfer in the world.
Now Scheffler’s back at the course which underwent a $25 million overhaul led by World Golf Hall of Fame member Lanny Wadkins.
“I actually came up and played the course a few weeks ago,” Scheffler said. “I think tee-to-green it is definitely better than what it was before. I think it’s a more interesting test. The greens have added a significant amount of slope to them, and some are a bit aggressive, but overall I think (Wadkins) did a really good job of creating some nice pin locations, and you definitely have to think your way around this place a lot more than you did before.”
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Scheffler will try his luck at repeating as champion at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson after seeing a few putts go awry during his 14th-place finish last weekend at the PGA Championship.
“Yeah, I think — I guess just putting specific … you kind of just go through ebbs and flows, and putting is something, especially when you’re putting in wind and on greens without much slope, there’s going to be variants and how things are going,” he said.
“Overall, I feel like I’m in a good spot. I’ve actually putted the best that I have in my career so far this year and just kind of get a reset, get on some new greens, work on my reads, make sure I’m checking all my fundamentals.”
Switzerland take on World Cup dark horses Colombia in Vancouver in the round of 16, stripped of injured 20-year-old breakout star Johan Manzambi. The winners will go on to face title holders Argentina, who survived an almighty scare against Egypt earlier today. Follow our liveblog for minute-by-minute match commentary.
Jannik Sinner believes the work he and his team put in after the French Open has already paid off following his straight-sets victory over Jan-Lennard Struff at Wimbledon.
The world No. 1 defeated Struff 7-5, 7-6(5), 6- 3 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second consecutive year.
Playing in hot conditions, Sinner admitted he was pleased to get through the match in three sets.
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When asked whether the heat made the victory even more satisfying, the Italian laughed before saying:
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me.”
He then explained how the French Open disappointment led to the important changes behind the scenes.
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“We worked a lot, especially after Paris, trying to understand what went wrong there. We prepared ourselves in the best possible way.”
Sinner said he was especially encouraged by how he felt physically throughout the match.
“It was a huge test today. I felt really, really comfortable on the physical side today. A good step forward.”
Although he hopes not to experience another setback like the one in Paris, Sinner believes his team is now better prepared.
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“If it would happen again like in Paris, I hope not, but if it happens again, we know we need to change some things again.”
The defending Wimbledon champion also praised Struff, describing the German as one of the toughest opponents on tour.
“Very, very tough player to play against. He deserves everything he’s done and achieved in his career.”
Sinner will now head into the Wimbledon semi-finals looking to continue his title defence after another composed performance on grass.
And the photo from that goal was just unreal. It was snapped by Elsa of Getty Images — she’s shot so many incredible sports moments — and just look at it: It’s from inside the net as the ball goes in, with Messi watching from afar and getting ready to celebrate. The rest of the players are watching it, with some realizing what just happened.
It’s so good:
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JULY 07: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image was captured using a remote camera inside of the goal.) Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina scores his team’s second goal past Mostafa Shoubir #23 of Egypt during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images)
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images)
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi is lifted by teammates as they celebrate after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP via Getty Images)
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP via Getty Images)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
July 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi is thrown in the air in celebration by teammates after the match as Argentina qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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(Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
July 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after the match as Argentina qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
July 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after the match as Argentina qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
(Brett Davis, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
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A tearful Messi perfectly celebrated Argentina comeback vs. Egypt
July 7, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after the match as Argentina qualify for the quarter finals of the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 07: Karolina Muchova of Czechia serves against Naomi Osaka of Japan during their Ladies’ Singles quarterfinal match on day nine of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Karolina Muchova reached her first Wimbledon semifinal after defeating Naomi Osaka 7-6, 6-4.
The Czech star extended her winning streak to nine consecutive matches, producing another impressive performance to book her place in the last four.
After the match, Muchova laughed when told she looked calm throughout the contest.
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“Oh my God, I was nervous.”
She praised Osaka’s ability to punish even the smallest mistakes.
“She’s an unbelievable athlete. You can’t lose that focus. You have to keep playing every point. If you give her a little chance, she takes it.”
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Muchova also admitted she had never enjoyed playing on Centre Court before the breakthrough.
“I don’t know if you guys know, but I played three times on this court and it was 0-3, so I wasn’t in a very good relationship with this court.”
That finally changed with her biggest Wimbledon win yet.
“I’m super happy we finally made it today and I got that win in front of you all.”
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The victory sends Muchova into her first Wimbledon semifinal and her first Grand Slam semifinal in two years.
She will now face Coco Gauff for a place in the Wimbledon final. Although Gauff leads their head-to-head 6-1, Muchova won their most recent meeting in Stuttgart earlier this year. The semifinal will also be the first time they have faced each other on grass.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi takes a brilliant catch to remove Jacob Bethell and England lose Tom Banton in the next delivery as Harshit Rana strikes twice for India during the third T20 at Trent Bridge.
Jon Rahm says no, he hasn’t been asked to put his own money back into LIV Golf.
But what if the league made the request?
“Something I’ve learned in life, never say never,” he said Tuesday.
“I’m not going to say absolutely no to anything that can happen in the future.”
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Speaking Tuesday ahead of this week’s Genesis Scottish Open, Rahm had been asked whether he’d help finance the prize fund for the league in which he plays, an idea that a reporter said could be an option while LIV seeks new investors as it’s been told it will no longer be backed by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund. In December of 2023, Rahm left the PGA Tour and signed what has been reported as a nine-figure deal with LIV.
But Rahm said he hasn’t been asked to invest into the tour playing its fifth season. Since the PIF announcement, LIV CEO Scott O’Neil has said he’s exploring options, though Rahm said early last month that he wouldn’t be involved in an investor search.
“I know Scott is doing a lot of work trying to find developers,” Rahm said Tuesday. “And there’s many ways around that. As far as putting my money into it, they have not asked me to do that yet.
“So I don’t know if they will or not. It’s not something that they have asked me, but there has been many different avenues to try to make it different, what we’ve had till now. They haven’t asked me to put my money in yet.”
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Several questions during his media session centered around LIV, which was to be expected given the league’s uncertainty — and the fact that Rahm is playing a tournament co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. The latter does not allow players to play on LIV, but the formerly named European Tour, through an agreement, is letting LIV pros into its tournaments, all of which seemingly would lead to at least a different feeling this week, but Rahm said he hasn’t experienced that.
“Not really,” he said. “It’s just another event. Just happy I can — happy that the DP World Tour let me have the opportunity and that I can be here and play what’s not only a great week but a great golf course, great crowd. It’s one of my favorite weeks, so it’s really fun to be here again.”
A reporter also wondered whether Rahm thought that his appearance this week, along with those of other LIV players in the Scottish Open field, would be looked at as “a turning point” in the men’s game.
“Yeah, it could be,” he said. “Yeah, I mean, it’s a fantastic event, and I think a lot of us, if given the opportunity, we are going to continue to play in the events that we like to play. Myself, very thankful and happy that I can be here.”
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Rahm also said he hadn’t seen any of the news announced last week regarding the PGA Tour’s future schedule and format; when told by a reporter that there would be two tours, Rahm said: “That’s not the first time I’ve heard that, so it’s not a surprise that that would happen.” A reporter also wondered how difficult it was for Rahm to put himself in the present, while answering questions about the future.
But Rahm said that wasn’t hard.
“Maybe early on,” he said. “I think at this point, seeing whatever some of the headlines that come my way, I can pretty much predict what I’m being asked. I’m ready for what is coming. It’s not entirely a surprise.”
“I also understand it’s everybody’s job to do,” he said later. “I’m ready for it. I like to say I’m an open book, so I like to be as honest as I can.”
Minecraft has released the third snapshot for the upcoming 26.3 update, alongside a new Beta and Preview for the 26.40 update. These new releases introduce features confirmed for the Fall game drop, releasing later in 2026.
The latest Minecraft snapshot, Beta, and Preview introduce two main features for 2026’s Q3 update: cushions and straw beds. For the first time in years, Minecraft is getting decorative furniture with a sitting option. Players will no longer have to rely on awkward minecart setups while creating seating arrangements in their builds.
The second feature, straw beds, is a type of temporary bed that you can use to skip nights in Minecraft. Using a straw bed does not reset your spawn point, making it the perfect item for explorers who want to skip the night without risking their original spawn location. Let’s look at all the new features in today’s Minecraft snapshot and Preview.
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What’s new in Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3 and Bedrock 26.40.30 Preview?
Cushion
Alex on a cushion (Image via Mojang)
Cushions are one of the main new features in the latest Minecraft snapshot and Preview. You can craft them using three wool slabs. They come in 16 different colors, just like other wool items. You can interact with them to sit down. The best thing about cushions is that you can place them on a variety of flat surfaces, such as stairs, trapdoors, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Straw bed
Straw bed in an abandoned camp (Image via Mojang)
You can use three hay bales on a crafting table to make four straw beds in Minecraft. Like a regular bed, you can place them on the ground and sleep to skip the night. However, the straw bed disappears as soon as you wake up.
Using a straw bed does not change your spawn point, meaning you can carry multiple straw beds and use them to skip nights while avoiding hostile mobs. They can also stack up to 16, so carrying several of them does not take up much inventory space.
Other features and changes in Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3
Minecraft Snapshot 26.3 🔗 changelog:
Minecraft 26.3 Snapshot 3 adds Gothic language support to Java Edition. On the technical side, the snapshot introduces a new command called posteffect, which lets you add or remove post-processing shader effects for a player. The developers have also added technical changes and bug fixes, which can be found in the official patch notes.
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Changes and fixes in Minecraft Bedrock 26.40.30 Preview
All new features in one image (Image via Mojang)
Unlike 26.3 Snapshot 3, Minecraft Bedrock 26.40.30 Preview mainly focuses on changes related to abandoned camps and dappled forests. In this new version, abandoned camps now generate correctly in the Pale Garden and Flower Forest biomes. You will also find a straw bed inside abandoned camps.
As for the dappled forest, it now features new textures for poplar leaves and uses the same fog settings as other biomes.
Version 26.40.30 also fixes several graphical glitches, including extra pixels on the poplar door icon, incorrect poplar sign textures, a black background on poplar leaves, a miscolored pixel on sulfur spikes, Vibrant Visuals glitches on certain Android GPUs, and more. You can read the official Minecraft 26.40.30 patch notes for the complete list of changes and fixes.
Minnesota Vikings tackle Christian Darrisaw watched practice action during training camp at TCO Performance Center as players worked through another summer session in Eagan. On August 6, 2026, Darrisaw stood near the sideline in uniform while Minnesota continued evaluating its offensive line before preseason football arrived and the regular season drew closer. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Rookies will report to Minnesota Vikings training camp in 19 days, with veterans arriving a couple of days later, and fans formally invited on August 1st. The time is coming.
And while the club, like every summer, has several fascinating storylines, here’s what we can’t wait to see in Eagan three weeks from now. The items are listed in no particular order.
The Watchlist Has Real Stakes
Miami Hurricanes defensive back Jakobe Thomas lined up against the Indiana Hoosiers during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium. On January 19, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Thomas worked through title-game action as Miami’s secondary faced Indiana in one of the season’s biggest national college football stages. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
1. The Pecking Order at Safety
This could be moot or less important if Harrison Smith returns to the Vikings, but as of early July, nobody knows if that will happen. Smith is acting mysteriously.
If Smith is gone-gone, the Vikings will unveil a safety unit without him for the first time since 2011. Josh Metellus will start, but after Metellus, it’s a crapshoot to determine the other main starter, among contenders Jay Ward, Theo Jackson, and rookie Jakobe Thomas.
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Ward is probably the frontrunner to obtain most safety snaps because he took over as the starter in December. That must be confirmed, though, and training camp will be the first major clue. Generally speaking, the Vikings’ safety room is no longer as straightforward as “Smith and Metellus.”
2. The Seriousness of the QB Battle
We fully understand and embrace the fact that Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy will battle at training camp; that’s healthy for a football team. We, however, believe that Murray will prevail rather handily — because he is the better, more experienced quarterback.
So, we ask: How interesting will McCarthy make the competition? Will it go down to the wire? Will preseason games be needed to weigh pros and cons of each combatant? Will Kevin O’Connell see a practice or two and say, “Murray’s our guy, folks.”
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It’s not a sham competition, but McCarthy’s legitimacy as a contender is “to be determined.”
3. Brett Thorson’s Leg
In March, Minnesota signed punter Johnny Hekker, who was the best punter on the planet in 2015. In April, Minnesota signed punter Brett Thorson, who was the best college punter in 2025. We wonder why Hekker is even needed.
There shouldn’t be much mystery about Thorson’s transition to the NFL; he’s the real deal. The Vikings may not have known that Thorson would fall into their lap after the draft in undrafted free agency. Perhaps signing him was a perk that rendered the Hekker signing useless.
Thorson should be the punter in 2026 and for the long haul, but he evidently has to prove it against Hekker at training camp.
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The Vikings always have some form of a kicking battle in the summer. Clockwork.
4. The Dillon Bell Glow-Up
The hype train began for Bell in late April, when, like Thorson, the Vikings signed him as an undrafted free agent. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart and former NFLer Steve Smith have pounded the table for Bell, who brings WR versatility and a chip on his shoulder to the Vikings.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray delivered a pass to wide receiver Dillon Bell during minicamp practice at TCO Performance Center. In June 2026, in Eagan, Murray connected with Bell as Minnesota continued offseason workouts and evaluated new offensive combinations, giving the rookie receiver valuable reps alongside the veteran quarterback before training camp arrived. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Boots on the ground also suggest that Bell looked the part at OTAs and minicamp. That’s great — but now Bell must earn a roster spot, dueling Tai Felton, Myles Price, and several other anonymous UDFA wide receivers at training camp.
Can Bell take the momentum through the summer and snag a September roster spot? Felton or Price might have to be cut to make room. You’ve been warned.
5. Caleb Banks and His Foot
Teams shied away from Banks in Round 1 of the draft because he injured his foot in the summer of 2025 and then broke the same foot at the NFL Combine. As a rule of thumb, it’s dangerous to draft big men with bad feet in the 1st Round.
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It’s just that the Vikings didn’t care.
Before the second foot injury, Banks held 1st-Round draft stock; it was just a matter of which DT-needy club would pick him. After the NFL Combine, Banks’s draft hopes fell into Round 2, and he lived there until the Vikings went against the grain, selecting him in Round 1.
Now, listen carefully: Minnesota absolutely cannot afford a draft miss, especially one from the 1st Round. The franchise is trying to emerge from the rubble of failed draft picks like Lewis Cine, Andrew Booth, Brian Asamoah, and others.
Watching Banks this summer will be a major clue whether the Vikings got this one right. He really can’t afford to “sit out” his rookie season with a bad foot. If so, a 1st-Round pick was not worth it.
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6. Demond Claiborne’s NFL Translation
The Vikings are starved for young legs at running back. It’s been nine years since they drafted Dalvin Cook. After Cook left — and fell off an NFL production cliff — Minnesota has preferred RB1 options like Alexander Mattison, Aaron Jones, and Jordan Mason. Those veterans are okay, but soon the Vikings must restart the clock with a promising, explosive tailback.
Wake Forest running back Demond Claiborne carried the football during first-quarter action against Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium, adding another road-game snapshot to his college profile. On October 4, 2025, in Blacksburg, Claiborne worked through the Hokies’ defense as the Demon Deacons tried to generate offense in an ACC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images.
In theory, that could be Claiborne, a 6th-Rounder from Wake Forest with 4.37 speed.
Onlookers will be able to tell if Claiborne has the vision and tackle-breaking acumen to succeed as an eventual RB1 at training camp. He’ll provide hints. The early returns, too, are promising.
But he has to make a dent this summer to project well for the future. The question is this: Can Claiborne become a rare late-round RB success story? Or is he just another Ty Chandler or DeWayne McBride?
Do not forget: the Vikings are fundamentally starved for a young playmaking running back.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Former world champion Pedersen made it look easy as he surged clear of a small group to take his first win since stage 15 of last year’s Vuelta a Espana, and first Tour win since 2023, with his Lidl-Trek team-mate Quinn Simmons coming second for good measure.
Traeen, diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022 after a routine anti-doping test, was eighth on the day and moved into yellow with the main peloton finishing some 13 minutes later, Pogacar happy to hand over the responsibilities of race leader a day after his stage win in Les Angles.
Torstein Traeen took the yellow jersey after stage four (Reuters)
Every time the Tour has visited Foix it has ended in a breakaway win and it soon became obvious this day would be no different as 34 riders went clear in sweltering temperatures touching 40 degrees in south-west France.
The break splintered on the final climb but Lidl-Trek managed to get three riders in the front group of 10 – Mathias Vacek joining Pedersen and Simmons – and they were able to control a series of late attacks to set up Pedersen.
“This was I would say a masterpiece of teamwork,” the Dane said. “I was suffering a lot on the last climb but with Quinn and Vacek it was an incredible day, they did incredibly well on the climb to pace it for me and make sure we didn’t lose too much time.
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“They were just machines to the finish. What a team effort, what a team win today.”
Mads Pedersen sprinted to victory as part of the stage four breakaway (Reuters)
But Traeen celebrated taking the race lead (AP)
Uno-X Mobility’s Traeen, who spent four days in red at last season’s Vuelta, started the day five minutes off yellow, and once it became apparent the peloton would not chase, the 30-year-old’s only rival for the race lead was Sean Quinn, also in the front group but a further 28 seconds down.
“I think it’s quite hard for me to understand how big it is,” Traeen said. “You can see the face of my coach, the soigneur, everybody, you see how special it is but for me at the moment I don’t really understand what’s going on. Maybe in a couple of days it will sink in.”
Quinn moved up to second overall with Vacek third, three minutes 50 seconds down, and Pogacar dropping to fourth, almost eight minutes down and still on the same time as his rival Jonas Vingegaard as they save resources for later in this Tour.
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