BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — A split second off the lead with the mighty Pyrenees looming, Lance Armstrong now gets to see what his rivals can throw at him. After mostly flat, wind-swept stages along the Mediterranean rim this week, the Tour de France enters mountainous terrain that has long belonged to climbers. Armstrong remained just […]

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — His race day results with Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a steady decline, crew chief Tony Eury Jr. lost confidence in his setups and strategies. He quit talking with Earnhardt on the radio because every brief conversation was dissected by critical fans and media. Earnhardt can feel the weight of NASCAR and […]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — It’s suit madness at the U.S. national championships. Swimmers are experimenting with – and sometimes tearing – various models at $500 a pop. An inspector makes sure everyone is wearing only one suit and it’s on a list approved by swimming’s world governing body. Manufacturers’ reps are fielding compliments, complaints and questions […]

Clarence Eckstein grew up in Ohio, when a great summer day meant driving 2½ hours with his dad to see Pete Rose and the Big Red Machine. At 51, Eckstein still cheers for Cincinnati. From home, on TV. “Tickets, gas, food, it’s a few hundred dollars,” he said. “Other bills are more of a priority.” […]

Her 7-week-old son cooed in the background, and Kerri Walsh could barely stifle a yawn as she explained why she is abandoning plans for a yearlong maternity leave to get back on the pro beach volleyball tour. “Why?” she said Thursday. “Because I can hopefully have it all.” The two-time Olympic gold medalist said this […]

DALLAS (AP) — The Dallas Mavericks knew they could trade Jerry Stackhouse for a key player for next season. As it turned out, a lot of teams benefited. The Mavericks, Raptors, Grizzlies and Magic combined in a massive swap Thursday that included eight players, a draft pick and stacks of cash. The deal sent Shawn […]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Dale Earnhardt Jr. would jump at the chance to drive in the Indianapolis 500 if there were not a conflicting NASCAR race on the same day. Rain washed out his plans for a ride in a two-seat Indy car on Thursday. Instead, he strapped himself behind the wheel and received a 10-minute, […]

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Officials at Oklahoma State said Thursday that a former baseball player accepted a used car as a gift while he was in a summer league in what the NCAA contends was a major rules violation that could cost the program. A letter sent May 28 from the NCAA to Oklahoma State […]

CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Cavaliers and Anderson Varejao – the energetic big man with long, curly hair known to the team’s fans as “Wild Thing” – have agreed on a multiyear contract. Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry announced the signing Thursday afternoon, though terms were not disclosed. The 6-11 center/forward from Brazil has played […]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — An attorney for Jeremy Mayfield says he will not go to Chicago for this weekend’s NASCAR race. John Buric says Mayfield does not have the necessary sponsorship for his car and no owner is willing to give him a ride for Saturday night’s race at Chicagoland Speedway. Buric says Mayfield instead […]