Bernal wins second stage in Tour of California

LOS ANGELES: Colombian rider Egan Bernal of Team Sky surged late in the final climb to win Monday’s second stage of the Tour of California cycling race, seizing the overall lead.

The 21-year-old from Bogota captured his fourth win of the year, taking the 157 kilometre (98 mile) stage in 4 hours 14 minutes, giving him an overall top time of 7:16:13. "In the final 2 km I attacked it and I arrived alone," Bernal said. "The last part was the most important part. We tried to do it the most hardest possible. "When I attacked I just did my pace. I needed to take control of the climb. I looked back and it was good.

"The team did such a great job. I’m happy to be on this great team." Poland’s Rafal Majka (Bora) was second, 21 second back, with Britain’s Adam Yates (Mitchelton) third, another four seconds adrift. In the overall fight, Majka was second at 25 seconds back with Yates at 31 and Dutchman Antwan Tolhoek (LottoNL) fourth at 40 seconds back. The field was in a pack as it reached the closing 12 km climb of Gibraltar Road, with a 14 percent gradient at times, but Team Sky took command as the ascent progressed, cracking contenders in setting the stage for Bernal’s final charge. Bernal was pleased with the lead but unwilling to declare himself the man to beat, looking ahead to a stage four time trial in San Jose with trepidation. "We need to wait," the South American said. "The time trial will be hard for me." Colombia’s Fernando Gaviria of Quick-Step won the opening 134.5 km stage, but the severe mountain course left the day-two glory to the climbers.

Nazir Sr Cricket

By Our correspondent

LAHORE: Lakhodher Gymkhana beat Shahzad Butt Club by 3 wickets in the 4th Nazir Sr Memorial Cricket Tournament at Jallo Park ground.

Scores: Shahzad Butt Club 260(Ramzan Butt 66, Usman Butt 43, Chand Butt 38, Bilal Butt 24, Usman Abid 4/50, M Irfan 3/66, Sajjad Butt 2/37). Lakhodher Gymkhana 262/7 (Usman Abid 55, M Zia 55, Asgar Aslam 33, Irfan Ali 33, M Afzal 32, Ashraf Butt 2/57, Ramzan Butt 2/49).