Aru outlasts Froome to win Tour’s 5th stage
CHAMPAGNEY, France — Italy’s Fabio Aru accelerated away from three-time champion Chris Froome and other top contenders on the first mountain climb of this year’s Tour de France, winning Stage 5 on Wednesday and showing he could be the man to beat to the finish in Paris.
Froome still rode well enough up the steep ascent to the Planche des Belles Filles ski station to take the overall race lead and its yellow jersey from teammate Geraint Thomas, who couldn’t stay with the leaders on a climb made doubly punishing by searing summer temperatures.
But it was Aru who impressed with his fierce burst of speed that left everyone in his wake with more than 2 kilometers (1½ miles) left to climb.
Dan Martin of the Quickstep team was second to the top, surprising Froome with his own burst of speed on a very steep section toward the end. Froome came in third.
Getting the yellow jersey was some consolation for Froome, who has a 12-second lead over Thomas. Aru jumped from 25th to third in the overall standings, 14 seconds behind the reigning champion for Team Sky.
PRO FOOTBALL Wilson arrested for assault
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Damien Wilson has been arrested on two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was accused of backing his truck into a woman and threatening a man with a rifle during a dispute with some tailgaters.
Frisco police said Wilson, 24, was arrested Tuesday outside of Toyota Stadium during the city’s Fourth of July celebration. Major League Soccer’s FC Dallas played Tuesday night at the stadium in Frisco, a suburb north of Dallas that’s also home to the Cowboys’ practice facility.
Police said Wilson was released from jail after posting $20,000 bond. They said the case remains under investigation.
HOCKEY McDavid receives $100 million deal
The Edmonton Oilers signed star captain Connor McDavid to an eightyear, $100 million deal.
McDavid led the NHL in scoring with 100 points last season, en route to winning the Hart Trophy as league MVP.
Drafted first overall by the Oilers in 2015, the 20-year-old McDavid has been the catalyst of Edmonton’s transformation from league bottom dweller to contender.
SOCCER Barcelona gives Messi extension
Lionel Messi will play out the best remaining years of his trophy-rich career at Barcelona.
The Spanish club said Messi had agreed a threeyear contract extension that will keep him at the club through the 2020-21 season. By then, Barcelona’s all-time leading scorer will be 34 years old and finishing his 17th season with the club.
OBITUARY Conley, champ in 2 leagues, dies
Gene Conley, one of the only players in history to win championships in two major professional sports, has died. He was 86.
The Boston Red Sox, for whom Conley played for from 1961-63, said he died Tuesday.
Conley helped pitch the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series championship in 1957 and won three NBA titles with the Celtics. Otto Graham won championships in the NFL and the NBL, a precursor to the NBA.
PRO BASEBALL Gillespie propels Skeeters to win
Cole Gillespie went 3-for-3 with two RBIs, and the Sugar Land Skeeters beat the host Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 5-3 in Atlantic League action.