LIESTAL, Switzerland — Lance Armstrong wrapped up his Tour de France preparations on a high note, finishing second in the Tour of Switzerland on Sunday, 12 seconds behind Frank Schleck of Luxembourg.
The seven-time Tour de France champion was seventh overall going into the stage but surged into contention by placing 11th in the 16.6-mile time trial around Liestal, finishing in 33 minutes, 30 seconds to trail stage winner Tony Martin of Germany by 1:09.
Olympic time trial champion Fabian Cancellara finished second in the stage, 17 seconds back, while American David Zabriskie of Boulder-based Garmin-Transitions clocked the third-best time, 29 seconds behind.
“I think if we look at the field here, on all levels, the climbers, the sprinters . . . and the speed and compare it to the alternative race, this is what you’ll see at the Tour,” Armstrong said.
Miyazato wins ShopRite Classic
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Japan’s Ai Miyazato shot a 7-under-par 64 to win the $1.5 million ShopRite LPGA Classic. Miyazato, 25, is guaranteed to take over the No. 1 spot in today’s rankings after her fourth victory of the season.
Second-round leader M.J. Hur finished second, two shots behind Miyazato.
• Chris Kirk shot a 6-under 64 in the final round for a 16-under 264 to win the Nationwide Tour’s Fort Smith Classic in Fort Smith, Ark. John Daly shot a 69 and finished tied for 22nd at 8-under.
• Martin Wiegele of Austria won his first European Tour title, shooting a 3-under 68 to win the Saint-Omer Open in France.
Kanaan conquers Iowa
NEWTON, Iowa — Tony Kanaan overtook Helio Castroneves with 10 laps left and held on to win the Iowa 250, erasing three years of frustration at the Iowa Speedway.
It was the first win since 2008 for Kanaan, who last took the checkered flag in Richmond two years ago. Kanaan had crashed in each of his first three starts at Iowa, but he zipped past Castroneves, who finished second, on lap 240 and cruised to victory by over four seconds.
• John Force regained the points lead with his NHRA-record 130th career win at the Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol (Tenn.) Dragway. The other winners were Tony Schumacher (top fuel) and Mike Edwards (pro stock).
• Raymond Parks, owner of NASCAR’s first championship winning car and an integral part of the series’ formation, died at his home in Atlanta. He was 96.
Footnotes.
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace signed a multiyear contract extension. Terms were not released.
• Swin Cash had 22 points and nine rebounds, Lauren Jackson added 19 points and 14 rebounds and the host Seattle Storm beat the San Antonio Silver Stars 82-61 in a WNBA game.
• Tina Charles scored 24 points, including the deciding free throws with 1:17 left, to lift the Connecticut Sun past the host Phoenix Mercury 96-94.
The Associated Press
