Clan-Members » ns of Paris - a city he admires greatly, but

CHERBOURG-EN-COTENTIN, France -- The Tour de France can rarely be won in the first week.It can be lost, though.Stage 2 on Sunday was a case in point.Four contenders for the overall title lost time over a wet and challenging route that resembled a course for a single-day classic, with two short climbs -- one of them very steep -- near the finish.If a key contender continues to lose time over easier stages in the first week, he will find it difficult to get back into contention once the mountains come later in the race.Vincenzo Nibali, the 2014 champion from Italy, and top French hope Thibaut Pinot each finished 11 seconds behind stage winner Peter Sagan as they struggled up the final climb.It was like a classics finale, on slippery roads, a bit complicated, Pinot said. There are still a couple of tricky stages to come. I need to be patient but all in all Im satisfied.Two-time Tour winner Alberto Contador fell to the ground for the second consecutive day and lost 48 seconds.I lost more time than I had hoped to lose, Contador said. I hit the handlebars and I was hurt on the other side from yesterday. I must stay calm, not lose morale. ... The Tour has really started on the wrong footing. Im not happy at all. Its cycling. I must see if I can make up some time in the Pyrenees and the Alps.Richie Porte, the co-captain of the BMC squad with American standout Tejay van Garderen, punctured a tire toward the end and didnt have any teammates to help him ride back into the peloton. Porte dropped 1 minute, 45 seconds -- likely ending his chances of overall victory.Porte, an Australian, was Chris Froomes top support rider at Team Sky during the Britons Tour wins in 2013 and 2015. He joined the BMC squad for this season with hopes of individual glory.Froome, the Kenyan-born British rider who is favored to defend his title, is placed well in fifth overall, 14 seconds behind leader Sagan.Nairo Quintana, the two-time runner-up from Colombia, also hasnt lost any time in the overall battle and is positioned seventh with the same time as Froome.The other overall favorites who have not lost time are Spanish Vuelta champion Fabio Aru of Italy, Romain Bardet of France and van Garderen.After a flatter Stage 3, more trouble looms in a hilly Stage 4, followed by the first mountain test on Stage 5.The 21-stage race ends July 24 in Paris. Wholesale USA Soccer Jerseys . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. USA Soccer Jerseys China . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. USA Soccer Gear . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. The Wallabies are adamant there will be no repeat of the infamous Dublin Six debacle, with lock Kane Douglas describing it as a line-in-the-sand moment for Australian rugby.In 2013, six Wallabies were suspended for one match - and a further nine, including Douglas and current tour members Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps and Scott Fardy, were given either verbal or written warnings - following a late-night drinking session in Dublin.And Douglas - who went home early enough that night so as to avoid a suspension but not a written warning - said it was an important moment in shaping the current culture within the Wallabies.And with an unbeaten spring tour record after three games, and Ireland and England standing in the way of a first grand slam of wins since 1984, the Wallabies say they wont be tempted by Dublins nightspots this week.I was out that night. I suppose things had to change within the Wallabies culture and I think weve become more professional since then and (going out for drinks is) probably not even going to happen, said Douglas.The late-night drinking prompted an angry rebuke from then coach Ewen McKenzie, but the Wallabies went on to win their final two matches of the tour.A furious McKenzie said at the time he wasnt running social tours of Europe.Similarly, last week, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika warned his playerrs of the temptations of Paris - a city he admires greatly, but where he is acutely aware of the pitfalls of becoming a tourist and forgetting the task at hand.ddddddddddddWe havent got any rules with Cheik - were all adults, but I dont think something like that would happen again anyway, added Douglas, now a 29-Test veteran who has matured into a leader among the Wallabies.Its been good from the leadership group. I feel like Im getting pretty old now anyway.Im 27, Ive got a wife and kids and everyone just wants to be in the right position come Saturday that we can play our best footy.I think the Wallaby culture and a heap of the boys have grown a lot since then.Judging by vice-captain Michael Hoopers steely gaze when quizzed on the topic, the team leaders intend to ensure everyone falls in line in both Dublin this week and in London, where the Wallabies will face England the following weekend in their final match of the tour.I dont think its something that comes into our minds, said Hooper, who was not among those sanctioned three years ago and started in all five Tests on that tour.Theres obviously memories of (the 2013 controversy) but thats all well behind us now and its about looking forward. ' ' '