Sports
Tim Merlier wins 2nd straight stage at Tour de France
Tim Merlier celebrates after crossing the finish line to win Stage 8 of the Tour de France from Perigueux to Bergerac on Saturday. Belgium’s Tim Merlier bolted to his second straight Tour de France stage win on a sweltering Saturday, becoming the first cyclist in three years to win two in a row.
The 33-year-old sprinter caught up to breakaway rider and countryman Liam Slock with about 1.5 kilometers left in the relatively flat 180.4-kilometer Stage 8 trek from Perigueux to Bergerac.
It was Merlier’s fifth career stage win as he became the first to go back-to-back since Jasper Philipsen in the opening days of the 2023 Tour de France. Eritrea’s Biniam Girmay finished second and Dutchman Olav Kooij was third.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. Two-time winner Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark is two minutes and 42 seconds behind, followed by Mexico’s Isaac del Toro in third place.
The area is under an extreme high temperature warning, with Bergerac hitting 97 degrees on Saturday. Because of the scorching heat, officials announced a change to the course ahead of a hilly Stage 9 on Sunday. The route was reduced from 185.5 to 155.5 kilometers and will now run from Malemort to Ussel.
“This decision has been made necessary by the exceptional weather conditions. It aims to ensure that the race can take place under conditions compatible with the red heatwave alert,” organizers said.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Iowa State AD Jamie Pollard retiring after 22 years
Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard announces Iowa State women’s wrestling program and new head coaches for men’s and women’s wrestling coaches during a press conference at Hilton Coliseum on April. 16, 2026, in Ames, Iowa Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard announced his retirement on Friday after a 22-year career in Ames.
The 61-year-old Pollard’s retirement will go into effect on June 30, 2027, or whenever his position is filled.
Hired in 2005, he is the longest-tenured AD in Cyclones history and the longest-serving active AD among the Power 4 conferences (ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC).
“My wife, Ellen, and I look forward to the next chapter in our life’s journey, and it is important to us that we transition now, while we are both healthy and young, so we can fully enjoy our retirement years,” he said. “I am grateful to President Cook for allowing me to share this news now and hopefully it will allow the university plenty of time to properly transition new leadership to our department during a transformational time in college athletics.
“When we moved to Ames in 2005, we did not anticipate the impact being a Cyclone would have on our family,” he added. “The personal and professional opportunities our family has experienced during the past 21 years have been truly amazing.”
The Cyclones have thrived in the classroom and on the athletic fields and courts during his tenure, including winning 24 Big 12 team titles in eight different sports and crowning 24 NCAA individual champions.
“Jamie Pollard’s bold vision has produced the most sustained period of academic and athletic excellence in Iowa State’s Athletics history, and Cyclones everywhere are incredibly grateful for his leadership, passion and dedication to our university,” said ISU President David Cook. “His leadership has established a culture that has elevated our athletics program academically and athletically to incredible heights while continuing to be a loyal advocate for our student-athletes, coaches and staff.”
Athletics fundraising has soared from just over $9 million the year before Pollard’s arrival to a school-record $53 million in 2025-26, according to the school.
Before joining Iowa State, Pollard was an associate AD and deputy AD at Wisconsin (1998-2005) and an associate AD at Maryland (1994-98) and Saint Louis (1989-94).
–Field Level Media
Sports
New Portugal coach would welcome back Cristiano Ronaldo
July 6, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo looks dejected after the match as Portugal are eliminated from the World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Portugal’s new 71-year-old coach said “age doesn’t matter” and there still is a place on the team for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Jorge Jesus signed a four-year deal on Friday to coach Portugal through the 2030 World Cup.
Jesus succeeded Spain’s Roberto Martinez, whose contract expired with Monday’s 1-0 loss to Spain in the World Cup round of 16.
Jesus spent the past year coaching Ronaldo, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, with the Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
“I’m 71, but I feel 50 because I’m healthy. I train every day — an hour or two. It’s going to be a tough challenge, but I’m convinced we’ll win,” Jesus said Friday at Portugal’s Football Federation headquarters in Lisbon.
“Age doesn’t matter. Look at Cris. Under me, he used to cover 8 kilometers per match, reaching speeds above 25 kilometers per hour.”
Ronaldo announced his retirement from World Cup play but did not close the door on making future appearances for the national team. He is Portugal’s all-time leader in caps (233) and goals (146) and in 2026 joined Argentina’s Lionel Messi as the only men to appear in six World Cups.
Ronaldo scored three goals in the 2026 World Cup but was the subject of criticism from disappointed fans.
“I haven’t spoken to Cris yet. He will never be a problem for the national team or for me,” said Jesus. “As for the controversy, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.
“When the time comes to make a decision, I will speak with Cris and with everyone else individually. Cris is a symbol of Portugal. He will go down in history. It has been a great pleasure working with him. He is incredibly easy to work with.
“I need to speak with him to find out what he wants to do. He has always told me that he wants to finish his career at Al Nassr. If he is in a position to be called up, I will do so.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Reds reinstate 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes from injured list
May 18, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Reds infielder Ke’Bryan Hayes (3) in action against the Philadelphia Phillies in the fourth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images The Cincinnati Reds reinstated third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the 10-day injured list on Friday.
Reds infielder/outfielder Matt McLain was placed on the IL with a left calf strain, retroactive to Wednesday.
Hayes, 29, has been out of the Cincinnati lineup since May 20 because of a bulging disc in his back.
The two-time Gold Glove winner batted .142 with two homers and five RBIs in 44 games before the injury.
Hayes is a career .247 hitter with 44 homers and 230 RBIs in 672 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2020-25) and Reds.
McLain, 26, is batting .190 with eight home runs, 25 RBIs and 11 stolen bases in 83 games this season.
–Field Level Media
