Pitfalls remain as Asiad venues near completion

JAKARTA: Asian Games venues will be ready before Indonesia hosts the showpiece event in a month, organisers say, but the threat of terror attacks and endless traffic jams still looms over the huge tournament.

An army of labourers has been toiling around the clock to finish building work, widen roads and plant trees in a breakneck bid to beautify Jakarta, a teeming metropolis that many visitors find tough to love.

The athletes’ village looks ready, but some competitors may need nose pegs —it backs out onto a toxic, foul-smelling river. Apart from a still-unfinished squash complex, most venues appear nearly done.

“I think all the venues, from what I see... 95 percent should be finished by end of July,” chief organiser Erick Thohir, a media tycoon who is chairman of football club Inter Milan, said. overtaking Spaniard Mikel Nieve (Mitchelton) in the closing metres.

Dutchman Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) finished second at 20secs, just ahead of Sky leader and four-time champion Chris Froome.

CRADDOCK PASSES $100,000 IN DONATIONS

PARIS: Lawson Craddock passed $100,000 in donations for the Greater Houston Cycling Foundation as he continues to ride the Tour de France injured.

The EF Education First rider crashed on the opening stage of the race, fracturing his shoulder bone and cutting his face, but battled on to cross the finish line.

Craddock has since continued to race and vowed to donate $100 to the foundation for each completed stage, while also giving cycling fans the opportunity to chip in. “I have truly been blown away by how many people have offered to donate as well. It has been extremely motivating to continue this race,” he said.