Quick Hitters
Viviani storms bunch sprint to win Stage 4 in France
NANCY, France — Italian rider Elia Viviani claimed his first career stage win on the Tour de France after storming a bunch sprint on Tuesday.
Viviani was ideally set up by the Deceuninck-Quick Step leadout train in the finale and made the most of the slight uphill finish in the eastern city of Nancy. He used his considerable power to edge Alexander Kristoff and Caleb Ewan and claim the fourth stage of the three-week race.
The 213.5-kilometer (133mile) flat route from Reims to Nancy did not pose any major difficulty and was a perfect opportunity for sprinters to get a stage win.
Viviani’s teammate Julian Alaphilippe, the first Frenchman to wear the yellow jersey in five years after his solo victory in Stage 3, kept the overall lead, with no change at the top of the overall standings.
Both men hugged warmly after their team produced a second straight stage win.
Kristoff opened up the sprint in the final stretch but could not hold off Viviani on the left side of the road.
Viviani has now posted stage wins at all three Grand Tours, including four at the Giro and three at the Spanish Vuelta.
Alaphilippe was cheered throughout the stage. After several dozen fans greeted him at his team hotel in the morning, supporters lining streets across the small villages of eastern France wildly cheered him on, shouting “Loulou, Loulou!” — the Frenchman’s nickname.
Alaphilippe enjoyed a day free of pressure, well protected in the main pack by teammates, and then played a role in the final sprint to launch Viviani’s final effort.
Defending champion Geraint Thomas and other main contenders enjoyed a calm day too, just making sure they rode at the front to avoid crashes or splits.
Bucks re-sign George Hill
The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed free agent guard George Hill.
The team said Tuesday that Hill, who was acquired from Cleveland in December in a five-player, three-team trade, will return on a three-year deal.
“George is a consummate pro and an important part of our team,” said Bucks general manager Jon Horst. “His veteran leadership and steady guard play were instrumental to our success last season, both during the regular season and the playoffs. We are thrilled to have him back with the Bucks.”
Hill, 33, average 6.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists over 47 games with the Bucks last season. He also played in all 15 of Milwaukee’s playoff games, averaging 11.5 points on 53.4% shooting in just more than 26 minutes per game.
The Bucks finished 60-22 last season for the NBA’s best record and their first 60-win season since 1980-81. The Bucks lost to Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals.
Hill has played 11 seasons in the NBA, including stints with the Spurs, Pacers, Jazz, Kings and the Cavaliers. He was the 26th overall pick by San Antonio in the 2008.