Shock news on a Wednesday afternoon. Simon Yates announces his immediate retirement from cycling. Timing is a surprise — but on reflection, after the Colle delle Finestre, he had summitted his greatest mountaintop. News & analysis with @oilysailor.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Derek Gee-West has a new name and a new team. Five-month transfer saga finally at an end as the Canadian climber adds to hefty firepower at Lidl-Trek. Gee-West previously sought to terminate his contract at Israel-Premier Tech over "personal beliefs". www.nytimes.com/athletic/694...

Greek football has been in the doldrums since their miraculous Euro 2004 victory. Went to Athens to discover how their rebirth, ‘Anagennisi’, is taking place, via futures teams, a refocus on technical ability, and the Battle of Thermopylae… www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

British climber Oscar Onley has signed for INEOS Grenadiers in one of the biggest transfers of the cycling offseason so far. 📝 @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social 🔗 theathletic.com/6917014/?sou...

Oscar Onley signs for INEOS. The British team have the GC leader they’ve been searching for - and complete their most significant offseason revamp in years. Analysis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

New: The handling of Emi Martinez's head knock has been criticised by brain injury charity Headway. #AVFC GK stayed on after long assessment, with him & teammates appearing to try to sway medics. Headway reiterates call for temporary concussion subs. www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

Pretty fascinating Vuelta a Espana route. Granada finish at the Alhambra is an Iberian Montmartre, a ridiculous amount of climbing, and some early GC shake-ups... But can't shake the feeling that a southern route and the heat is a worrying combo. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

Cycling to charge for mountain-top finishes? Its supporters call it "boldness" — but sometimes boldness is keeping things the way they are. Witness the World Cup ticket price furore? Cycling needs to celebrate its uniqueness, not escape it. Column ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Motions officially filed in Swiss parliament today to debate UEFA's tax status — linked to West Bank-based Israeli clubs continuing to play in European competition. First reported on the planned action earlier this month, more details below ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

When Andres Iniesta was a boy, he remembers watching Miguel Indurain churn through mountain time-trials. The football legend's childhood glee was apparent as he launched the NSN Cycling Team in Barcelona — the rebranded Israel-Premier Tech. www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

Exclusive: Tony Bloom syndicate does bet on Premier League matches (not #BHAFC games), but Bloom removes his stake to meet FA rules. Plus, Scottish FA request court documents to investigate any potential player involvement. Case explained and latest ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

Always a sense of anticipation around the Giro d’Italia. The season’s first Grand Tour, not as backloaded as usual, fun stages in Bulgaria, up Blockhaus, and to Piani di Pezze. Women to tackle Colle delle Finestre for the first time. Route analysis ⬇️⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...

Exclusive: UEFA executives have held meetings with organisers of pro-Palestinian campaign Game Over Israel since October's ceasefire. Meetings discussed the potential circumstances which could lead to a ban of Israel from international competition. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

At 18 years old, Konstantinos Karetsas is the shining pearl of Greek football, and already one of Europe's top prospects. Interviewed the winger about the joy of the assist, the transfer plan mapped out with his Dad, and the Greek-Belgian battle for him. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

Two goals for Malick Thiaw on Saturday, and though his persona is understated, it still shouldn’t have taken that for him to win his plaudits. An outstanding start at #NUFC - and already one of the best CBs in the Premier League. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

Interviewed Kostas Tsimikas in Athens during the international break. He was incredibly reflective on the capricious life of footballers, leaving Liverpool for Roma, and his friend Diogo Jota, tattooed on his left wrist. www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

#EFC 1-4 #NUFC Given the context to Newcastle's away form, probably their most impressive performance of the season. Eddie Howe's six changes paid off. More outstanding work from Thiaw, Miley justifiably pushing for more minutes, and really encouraging from Elanga. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

⚫ MASSIVE away win 🙌 ⚪ 2nd goal critical (via Pickford...) 👀 ⚫ Awesome Thiaw at the double ⚽⚽ ⚪ Howe's changes excel 🤩 ⚫ Miley's class 😍 ⚪ Transformative win? 🔮 📝 #EFC 1-4 #NUFC analysis, w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social: #EVENEW www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

“Legacy is not on his mind as he seeks to make his own history.” Can Tadej Pogacar go on to eclipse Eddy Merckx? Really glad to run an excerpt from Andy McGrath’s wonderful Pogi biography - out now. www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

After 17,900km, Sofiane Sehili was just 200km away from his goal - the Trans-Eurasian cycling world record. He had one day remaining to reach Vladivostok. He finished it in a Russian prison. www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

Israel-Premier Tech’s rebrand is now complete - they are NSN Cycling Team. Spanish-based, Swiss-registered, the title sponsors were founded by Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta. www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

Spoke to Jamal Khashoggi's widow in January about the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. She called on FIFA to commemorate his memory throughout the tournament. Ahead of next summer, Donald Trump's verdict on Khashoggi's murder? "Things happen." www.nytimes.com/athletic/606...

Cycling’s autumn has been dominated by its relationship with nation states. Wrote about the UAE’s activities in Sudan, Israel-Premier Tech’s rebrand, and Jayco-AlUla’s difficulties. Something needs to change, but solutions are hard to see. www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...

Wout van Aert is one of cycling’s superstars; his win over Montmartre one of the year’s top moments. We spoke about post-injury doubts, managing his own demanding nature, and his big offseason adventure in the USA. www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...

Amid all the long throws and set pieces that have dominated the Premier League season, plenty of fans have been expressing their displeasure at the way their team have been playing. @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social went to three matches in two days to try to find out what they really want to see.

Went on a mini roadtrip around the Premier League this weekend. Are teams' style making us miserable? Or are we really in search of something else? www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...

Very chuffed that @podonthetyne.bsky.social has been nominated for club podcast of the year alongside some truly brilliant shows. Huge thanks to the FSA for this honour & to our lovely listeners for their amazing support for our independent pod. #NUFC ❤️ thefsa.org.uk/news/fsa-awa...

On the politics of clapping. And truly, how did we ever get here? www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

#WHUFC 3-1 #NUFC — and in truth, it could have been more. Complacent first-half performance turned into tired drudgery in the second. Once more, Newcastle's identity threatens to be inconsistency — are there parallels with two seasons ago? www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...

Oier Lazkano released by Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe after UCI detect biological passport abnormalities. Basque rider returned suspicious results between 2022 and 2024 while riding for Movistar. Hadn't ridden since Paris-Roubaix in April. www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...

How did Saudi Arabia and Qatar receive such hugely favourable conditions for World Cup qualification? Asked FIFA and the AFC about their home advantage, extra rest days, reduced away allocations... Answers? Not forthcoming. www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...

A first ascent of Ventoux for the Femmes. Alpe d'Huez climbed twice by the men? Always optimism and excitement in previewing the Tour de France, nine months out, but there's a lot to like in this route, from Montmartre to sprinters' chances. Analysis: www.nytimes.com/athletic/674...

⚫ Pope's (remarkable throwout) 1st-ever assist! ⚽ ⚪ Barnes' brace of a cameo 🏹 ⚫ Gordon keeps delivering in #UCL - now to do so in PL 🌟 ⚪ 7th clean sheet 7️⃣ ⚫ Huge morale-boosting win 🙌 📝 #NUFC 3-0 Benfica analysis, w/ @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/673...

Tadej Pogacar's Monuments season has been arguably the best of all time — the first man to finish on the podium at each, the first since Merckx to win three in one year... To mark a special season, this is the story of those five races — in 20 pictures: www.nytimes.com/athletic/671...

Of course it was Tadej Pogacar. Dominance reprised, Evenepoel second again, another long-distance attack. But genuine excitement about 19-year-old Paul Seixas' bronze medal — this is a rider who will be in these podium pictures for some time to come. www.nytimes.com/athletic/669...

Luke Donald became captain somewhat by accident, and then that was the last thing left to chance. Piece on the small edges which gave Europe their two point Ryder Cup victory — including VR headsets, Dodo, and beautiful smelling hair. www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Billy Guyton and Shane Christie were Super Rugby players — and best mates. Both lost their lives to suicide after suffering head injuries. Spoke to their families about the answers that exist, and whether they're being introduced quickly enough. www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Shane Christie and Billy Guyton were two ‘free spirits’, two talented rugby players who lived, played and, ultimately, died the same way. Each suffered brain injuries playing a sport they loved. Their friends and families believe rugby's authorities failed them. @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social

Tadej Pogacar is world champion again - he is the first man to win both the Tour de France and rainbow jersey in successive years. Some brutal, attritional racing in Rwanda. Full analysis here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

A year ago today, Mark Townsend went to watch West Brom at Hillsborough and did not come home. Tomorrow, his relatives will be back in Sheffield for the start of an inquest that they hope will lead to answers. #WBA @theathleticfc.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Billy Guyton and Shane Christie were Super Rugby players — and best mates. Both lost their lives to suicide after suffering head injuries. Spoke to their families about the answers that exist, and whether they're being introduced quickly enough. www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

One year ago today, Muriel Furrer died at the World Championships, having not been found for 90 minutes. Has safety improved? The number of stakeholders makes improvements slow — but in fresh news, teams are discussing an independent parcours regulator. www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Juan Ayuso joins Lidl-Trek after his acrimonious departure from UAE Team Emirates. Lidl-Trek have their GC contender, Ayuso has sole leadership — but questions still remain on both sides. www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Dominant TT performance from Remco Evenepoel. Back? Or had he never left? Either way, overtaking Pogacar after being overtaken by Vingegaard at the TdF was a powerful moment. So pleased for Marlen Reusser to taste a global gold as well. www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

Ben Proud seems naive at best, misled at worst. Further reporting here about the 'greatest (medical) specialists' employed by the Enhanced Games. But make no mistake — this is not just dangerous for Proud, but for governing bodies & sport at large. www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

One week of the Vuelta remaining — a race I did not think would be alive at this point. Joao Almeida has raced Jonas Vingegaard brilliantly. Takeaways from the last seven days here: including Pidcock's podium bid, thoughts on UAE's dominance, and 🐶🐶🐶. www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

The number of local players in the Premier League is getting smaller. In 1995, there were 6.5 per squad. In 2010, it was 3.7. Now, it's just 2.7. PSR-enforced sales? Definitely a factor — but academy competition for 14-16 year olds is driving this fall. www.nytimes.com/athletic/658...

Unbelievable strength from Joao Almedia to win atop the Angliru. A career-best performance to lead through the belly of the beast and still outsprint Jonas Vingegaard to the line. Elsewhere, Tom Pidcock's Vuelta podium dream still looks to be on... www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

It's the anniversary of Sir Bobby's appointment as #NUFC manager and a huge day for @sbrfoundation.bsky.social as they announce a revolutionary facility. Please support his wonderful legacy by sponsoring "Sir Bobby's Team" in the Great North Run on Sunday... www.justgiving.com/page/sir-bob...

Vuelta stage in Bilbao cut short due to scale of pro-Palestine protests. GC times taken with three kilometres remaining, with no stage winner. Denies Pidcock possible victory after late attack. Israel-Premier Tech under increasing pressure to withdraw. www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...