Quick Hitters
American King DQ’d in 200 breast heats at worlds
GWANGJU, South Korea — American Lilly King was disqualified from the 200-meter breaststroke preliminaries at the world swimming championships on Thursday.
King won the third heat in 2 minutes, 24.56 seconds, but was disqualified for not touching the wall with both hands at the same time in the first turn of the four-lap race, according to USA Swimming.
The U.S. team filed a formal appeal.
King reacted with shock upon seeing ‘DSQ’ next to her name on the video board. She said she wasn’t told why she had been disqualified although she asked the officials.
On-deck judges supervise each lane to observe whether swimmers are simultaneously touching the wall.
It was a big blow for King, who was aiming for a sweep of the breaststroke titles in Gwangju. She already won the 100 over Russian rival Yulia Efimova.
Swimming in the last heat, Efimova said she was a bit nervous after seeing the DQ.
“I’m actually always thinking about this because some people make some stuff and nothing happen, but I know if a Russian do something, it’s always like ...,” she said, making a kicking motion with her foot.
If King was to win reinstatement, she would bump Suyeon Back of South Korea, who qualified in the 16th and last spot for the evening semifinals.
King’s DQ recalled a similar situation involving Aaron Peirsol in the 200 backstroke final at the 2004 Athens Olympics. The American was disqualified for making an illegal turn while finishing first. The decision was overturned and he received the gold medal.
Trentin rides solo to victory on Stage 17 of Tour
GAP, France — Italian rider Matteo Trentin used a solo attack to win Stage 17 of the Tour de France on Wednesday after pulling clear of a group of breakaway riders.
It was Trentin’s third career stage win at the Tour, but first since 2014.
Trentin rode at the front for most of the stage after taking part in a breakaway that formed just after the start of the 200-kilometer hilly ride from Pont du Gard to Gap.
The European champion moved clear of the leading group about 14 kilometers from the finish at the bottom of the Col de la Sentinelle. He was first at the summit and went all out in the downhill leading to Gap.
Kasper Asgreen was second, 37 seconds behind, with Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet completing the podium.
“I was scared of Asgreen and I was right because he finished second after getting a free ride in the break,” Trentin said. “His tactic was to wait and wait, and so I went for it because he’s also strong on the climbs and fast in a sprint.”
The overall contenders crossed more than 20 minutes behind but there was not any significant change in the overall standings as Trentin and his breakaway companions were not a threat. Julian Alaphilippe of France has the yellow jersey, with defending champion Geraint Thomas in second place overall.
In the final stage before three decisive days at high altitude, the hilly trek to the foothills of the Alps was the last opportunity for riders without ambition in the general classification to fight for a stage victory.