Why Today’s Rally Elite Are Sprinting for 15 Days Straight

The old-school philosophy of the Dakar Rally was simple: survive, pace yourself, navigate accurately, and let the race come to you. But as stated by two-time champion Ricky Brabec in episode 26 of the Bore & Stoke podcast, that era is officially dead. Modern rally racing has evolved into a hyper-competitive, 15-day maximum-effort sprint where strategy has taken a backseat to raw velocity.

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The Death of “Rally Games”

In past decades, riders could utilize tactical positioning – sometimes intentionally slowing down to avoid leading the navigation on subsequent days, or playing psychological games in the dunes. Today, the depth of talent at the front of the field makes those tactics obsolete.

“Within the last five years, it’s been a sprint every single day,” says Brabec. “The only game that you can play now is just not making a mistake. Because dude, you make one mistake and you can lose three minutes. That’s the game now. There are no games where you’re trying to lead people in the wrong direction or hide behind a bush.”

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Because the top ten riders start at three-minute intervals, catching a competitor ahead requires making up substantial time on someone who is already riding on the absolute limit. It is common for top riders to spend 8 to 10 hours completely alone in the wilderness, only to find out at the finish line that the top eight competitors are separated by less than two minutes.

The Cognitive Overload

While the physical demands of hanging onto a 450cc rally bike through shifting sand dunes are immense, Brabec emphasizes that the cognitive exhaustion is what truly breaks competitors.

1. Constant Focal Shifting: Riders must constantly look down at a roadbook to process navigation notes, look back up to read unpredictable terrain at speeds exceeding 90 mph, and simultaneously monitor digital compass headings (caps) and speed zones.

2. Zero-Relaxation Liaisons: Even after the timed special stage concludes, the mental tax continues. Riders must navigate public highways for hours on end to return to the bivouac, battling high winds, traffic, and fatigue.

The Closest Finish in History

This relentless pace culminated in the most tightly contested Dakar finish in history, where two seconds dictated the victory after thousands of miles. While Brabec acknowledges the immense stress of the hyper-sprint format, he admits the intensity is exactly what keeps him returning to the start line: “The level is insane, and I don’t see it slowing down.”

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Check out the Bore & Stoke episode with Ricky Brabec here to listen to the full interview.

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The Cleveland Browns pulled off one of the most shocking decisions of the offseason when they decided to trade Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams on Monday. 

The Browns decided to get rid of Garrett, even though he’s coming off a 2025 season in which he set an NFL record with 23 sacks. The only way a trade like this can even begin to make sense is if you’re able to get something solid in return and the Browns did exactly that. 

Not only did the Browns get Jared Verse as part of the deal, but they also landed three draft picks: 

• 2027 first-round pick
• 2028 second-round pick
• 2029 conditional third-round pick

For now, the deal only includes one first-round pick, but the Browns could actually end up scoring a SECOND first-round pick thanks to a bizarre conditional clause in the deal. 

How the Browns could score an extra first-round pick

Of the three draft picks that Cleveland will be getting, the selection coming in 2029 is a conditional pick, which means the round of the pick could change if certain conditions are met and that’s where things get kind of interesting. 

The Browns did their best to make sure that Garrett won’t end up back in the AFC North by inserting a unique clause in the deal: If the Rams trade Garrett to an AFC North team at any point between now and the 2029 NFL Draft, then Los Angeles will have to cough up a 2029 first-round pick instead of a third-rounder. 

That’s it. That’s the one condition. If the Rams ship Garrett off to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati or Baltimore, then the Browns will get a first-round pick from L.A. in 2029. 

Although it’s an unusual condition, it’s not unheard of. As a matter of fact, the Dallas Cowboys used this exact condition when they sent Micah Parsons to Green Bay. Under the terms of the deal, the Cowboys would get a 2028 first-round pick from the Packers if they decided to trade Parsons to another NFC East team. 

Now, you might think the Browns are a little crazy for doing this, but when you’re dealing with the Rams, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Back in 2019, the Rams sent two first-round picks to Jacksonville in a trade for Jalen Ramsey. The cornerback won a Super Bowl in 2021 and got voted to three Pro Bowls during his time in L.A., but after the 2022 season, the Rams turned around and traded him to the Miami Dolphins. 

The Dolphins obviously aren’t in the same division as Jacksonville, but the Rams showed that their open to trading away a star player just a few years after acquiring him. And since that’s the case, the Browns did their best to make sure Rams general manager Les Snead thinks twice before trying to trade Garrett to the Steelers, Ravens or Bengals. 

Garrett is 30 years old and he’s under contract through the 2030 season, so he probably won’t be leaving L.A. unless the Rams decide to trade him, and if that happens, it almost certainly won’t be to an AFC North team thanks to this unique condition buried in the trade terms. 

Devin Haney got his hands on the WBO welterweight world title back in November but ‘The Dream’ has been unable to agree to a first defence.

Now, it seems as though the American is willing to face an unbeaten former champion.

Haney dethroned Brian Norman Jr back in November, registering one of the standout performances of the year as he handed the Georgia-born operator a first career defeat, following a move up from the super-lightweight division.

Fast-forward seven months and Haney has still not signed for a first defence of the belt or for a unification against his fellow 147lb champions, despite being linked to an in-demand rematch with fierce rival, Ryan Garcia, and a clash with WBA titleholder, Rolando Romero.

However, after being inserted as the WBO’s number one welterweight contender, unbeaten former WBO lightweight world champion, Keyshawn Davis, took to social media to call for his shot at Haney’s belt.

On X, Haney responded to the call-out, publicly accepting the proposed all-American scrap by stating ‘Let’s do it KEYSHAWN’. 

Let’s do it KEYSHAWN.. https://t.co/plq9hqQpBP

— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) June 3, 2026

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Haney previously beckoned for the fight following Davis’ triumph over Ortiz, but those talks soon went quiet when murmurs of a potential meeting with Romero emerged, only for that fight to collapse, reportedly because Haney was not offered a guaranteed purse.

With Haney-Romero seemingly off the table, the door may now be open for Chorley’s Jack Catterall to capitalise and secure a bid for Romero’s ‘WBA Super’ crown, after winning the WBA (Regular) welterweight title last month.

Omar Berrada, Manchester United’s chief executive offer, has unveiled the club’s transfer plan for the summer window with five new signings targeted

Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has confirmed the club are set to replicate last summer’s transfer plan and sign a mix of experienced Premier League and non-English based stars.

United spent more than £200million on four players during the 2025/26 summer transfer window. The Reds’ first piece of business was signing Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal from Wolves, before Bryan Mbeumo arrived from Brentford for £71m. They then brought Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £73m and Senne Lammens in a late £18m move from Royal Antwerp.

As for those who left United, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Andre Onana, Toby Collyer, Ethan Wheatley, Harry Amass and Rasmus Hojlund were sent out on loan, while Alejandro Garnacho was sold to Chelsea for £40m and Antony joined Real Betis for £21m. Victor Lindelof, Christian Eriksen and Jonny Evans all departed the Reds at the end of their contract.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE! Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page

In the end, it proved to be a successful transfer window for United, as with the team eventually finishing third in the Premier League and securing Champions League qualification after Michael Carrick took over midway through the season. Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko and Lammens all impressed during their debut campaign at Old Trafford and contributed to the Reds sealing a return to Europe’s elite competition.

And going into another important summer for the club, United’s CEO Berrada has claimed the Reds have a “clear plan” and want to mirror the success they had in the transfer market 12 months ago.

Speaking to United’s YouTube channel, Berrada said: “I think the template for what we did last summer will be replicated in many ways. You always go into a window, you don’t know how you’re going to come out of it, but you have to be really prepared. You have to have a clear plan.

“You have to know exactly what positions you’re looking to strengthen. And you also have to be prepared for any eventuality, there could be exits that we’re not expecting, there could be opportunities in the market that perhaps weren’t there at the beginning of the window. So, we have to be ready.

“We have to be agile and flexible, but we have a clear plan. Jason Wilcox and his team are very well set up to to execute that plan. And I do think that what we saw last season is a good way forward for us, which is we want a mix of experience and youth.

“We want a mix of players that have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and perhaps also with players that are doing very well outside the Premier League. But we will always do it within our terms and ensuring that whatever decision we take is not just for the short term but also for the long term.”

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United are eyeing up at least five new signings this summer. Atalanta midfielder Ederson is poised to become the club’s first arrival after they agreed a £38m deal earlier this week.

Alongside that, the Reds have an interest in Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni, West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes and Carlos Baleba at Brighton. Elliot Anderson has been linked, but Manchester City look to be leading the race to sign the Nottingham Forest midfielder.

A striker is also on United’s radar, with the club already confirming that Hojlund has left on a permanent deal this summer. A left-back is another position that has been discussed with Newcastle star Lewis Hall a possible target.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

Pakistan has decided not to send its team for the Asian Senior Fencing Championships to be held in Delhi from June 19 despite the local organisers sending an invite to the neighbouring country to take part in the continental event, a top official said on Thursday. India is hosting the championships for the first time. Fencers from more than 30 countries across Asia and Oceania will be seen in action at the event to be held at Bharat Mandapam here. Nearly 100 delegates and technical officials will oversee the event.

“We sent an invite to Pakistan, as well as Afghanistan, to participate in the championships but they chose not to send their fencers. The deadline for sending entries is long over and we are now in the process of procuring visas for the athletes and officials,” the Fencing Association of India (FAI) Secretary General Rajeev Mehta told PTI.

Last month, the Sports Ministry had reiterated that the blanket ban on bilateral sporting ties with Pakistan that was imposed last year will remain in force, but the athletes from across the border will not be stopped from coming here for multilateral events.

Despite that, Pakistan has chosen not to send the entries of their fencers.

The General Assembly of the Fencing Confederation of Asia (FCA) will also be held here before the championships, a first time the continental body’s top brass is meeting in India.

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) interim president Abdelmoneim El Husseiny is also expected to attend the General Assembly.

Meanwhile, Mehta said athletes and delegates of a few participating nations, including West Asian countries, have been facing visa-related challenges.

“Preparations for the championship are progressing smoothly, with coordination being undertaken alongside international and national authorities to ensure world-class event management and athlete experience,” said Mehta, who is also Secretary-General of the Fencing Confederation of Asia.

“However, a few participating nations are currently facing visa-related challenges. The delegations and officials from Hong Kong are experiencing difficulties in securing timely visa appointments due to limited appointment slot availability at the visa application centre.

“Additionally, the Australian delegation has also encountered visa-related issues following rejections of certain visa applications, and necessary coordination efforts are underway with the concerned authorities to facilitate their participation in the championship.” He said the championship is expected to play a vital role in promoting fencing in India, inspiring young athletes, and strengthening the country’s position as an emerging destination for international sporting events.

“The Fencing Association of India extends its gratitude to all supporting authorities, stakeholders, and partners for their continued cooperation and support in making this championship a landmark event.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash

Texas Tech wants to “spot the ball” and play Texas on the field in 2026.

Steve Sarkisian brought this on himself, but he should not give in to the Red Raiders’ request.

On today’s episode of Locked On College Football, I’m joined by ‘Locked On Nittany Lions’ host Zach Seyko discuss a former Penn State 5-star EDGE.

Could Chaz Coleman wind up back with James Franklin?

Utah’s Athletic Department saw some 70 employees laid off as a result of their partnership with a private equity firm.

Does this spell more bad financial news for the Utes?

00:00 Discussing potential game excitement
05:12 Discussing Texas Tech vs. Longhorns game
08:01 Texas vs. Texas Tech game discussion
11:33 Tennessee’s risky player contract
16:14 Discussing roster management challenges
20:40 Employee rehiring after layoffs
22:18 Funding challenges in college sports
26:12 Challenges in retaining players

/ @lockedoncollegefootball  

Russia’s Mirra Andreeva reacts after winning during the semifinal tennis match against Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk at the French Open in Paris, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

PARIS–Mirra Andreeva raced into her first Grand Slam final as she beat an erratic Marta Kostyuk 6-1, 6-3 at the French Open on Thursday.

The 19-year-old Russian took one hour and 16 minutes to overcome her Ukrainian opponent. Andreeva will play either compatriot Diana Shnaider or Pole Maja Chwalinska in Saturday’s final.

READ: Andreeva, Kostyuk set up Russia-Ukraine clash in French Open

“I’m still very, very nervous. I was very nervous coming into this match,” said eighth-seeded Andreeva on court at the end.

Kostyuk, the 15th seed, had won her previous two meetings with Andreeva, both this year. The most recent was on clay in the final in Madrid as Kostyuk put together a 17-match unbeaten run on the red dirt coming into the Roland Garros last four.

Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk reacts during the semifinal tennis match against Russia’s Mirra Andreeva at the French Open in Paris, Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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Yet, on Thursday, she quickly started to unravel against her teenage opponent. Kostyuk dropped serve in the very first game after two double faults and a pair of unforced errors.

She led 0-40 in Andreeva’s first service game but a combination of Kostyuk errors on high-risk strokes and the Russian’s steadier defence allowed Andreeva to recover to consolidate the break.

READ: Mirra Andreeva throws tantrum after loss at Indian Wells

The pattern persisted as Andreeva grabbed the initiative to win through the 34-minute set.

Kostyuk had a break point in the first game of the second set but could not take it.

Andreeva pulled 4-1 ahead. Kostyuk, who finished with 34 unforced errors, finally forced a break of her own but promptly dropped serve to love and Andreeva duly served out the win.

“She’s had an amazing season,” said Andreeva of Kostyuk. “She’s an amazing player, very tough opponent.

“I’m super happy with the way I played and then that I got revenge for Madrid final and I’m happy that I’m in my first-ever Grand Slam final.

“All of these feelings combined it’s amazing. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

Andreeva was the only one of the women’s semi-finalists to have reached this stage at one of the four majors — she lost to Jasmine Paolini at the last-four stage of Roland Garros in 2024.

Shnaider and Chwalinska, a qualifier, meet to decide her final opponent later Thursday.

“I’m nervous but at the same time I’m very, very excited,” added Andreeva of playing her first major title-decider.

The camera is always on Virat Kohli. From a small gesture towards his teammate to an aggressive celebration when a rival batter gets out, Kohli’s every act is always under the gaze of the lens. It does not stop there – at airports, in hotel lobbies, on the streets, inside restaurants – there is rarely a time when Kohli is not followed. The celebrity status that superstars like Kohli have comes with its share of burden. Kohli’s ex-teammate at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Liam Livingstone, who currently plays for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, shared his opinion on Kohli’s tryst with fame.

“What’s he like in the dressing room?” Michael Vaughan asked England star Liam Livingstone in a podcast.

“He was amazing. I’d always played against Virat, and he’s always laughing,” Livingstone said.

“If you want to have a go at someone, he’ll have a go back at you. But on the field, he’s ultra-competitive. As soon as he steps over that line, he’s a different person. Away from cricket, he is a really nice, chilled-out, lovely guy who loves spending time with his family. A very chilled-out guy,” Livingstone added, reflecting on Kohli’s natural disposition.

“And almost kind of doesn’t want the life that he lives in India. He doesn’t really want the eyes on him all the time. He is a genuinely nice guy. When he gets out onto the pitch, he is the most competitive player I have seen.”

Kohli, in recent years, has divided his time between India and England. Before the IPL, Kohli was staying in England. Several reports claimed that it was an attempt by Kohli to escape the constant attention and frenzy that he generates.

Livingstone went on to praise the role of RCB’s Director of Cricket Mo Bobat and coach Andy Flower in the evolution of Kohli.

“Mo [Bobat] and Andy [Flower] went in and changed the way he played. They were brave enough to do that,” Livingstone said.

“They asked him to be a bit more aggressive, hit more sixes, and keep going with that aggression in the powerplay. You see the way he plays now in the powerplay, and he’s way more aggressive than he used to be. Even against spin, he’s playing more shots than he ever did.

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IPL 2026 News | Shami’s Sensation Leads Lucknow to First Win of Season

CommBank Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 14 NRL game between Wests Tigers and
Penrith Panthers. The game kicks off at 2:00 pm with Penrith Panthers heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Wests Tigers vs.
Penrith Panthers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday June 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm

Where: CommBank Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers Odds

Wests Tigers vs Penrith Panthers Preview

The challenge does not get much tougher for Wests Tigers than a meeting with ladder leaders Penrith, who continue to find ways to win regardless of personnel changes. The Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak last weekend thanks to the returns of Api Koroisau and Jahream Bula, but they now face the competition’s benchmark side. Penrith rested several Origin stars against the Warriors and still emerged with an impressive victory, underlining the depth that has made them premiership favourites once again. Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o all return this week, strengthening an already formidable line-up. The battle through the middle between Terrell May and Penrith’s representative forwards promises to be fascinating, but recent history suggests the Panthers hold the upper hand. Their defensive consistency remains the standard by which every other side is judged.