In Ligue 1, PSG dominated Rennes (3-1), while Olympique Lyonnais has still not won a single match in eight days.
The demonstration of the Irish XV against Scotland, the success of Paris Saint-Germain in Rennes, the big party in Paris during the Paralympic day, Thibaut Pinot’s last race, Max Verstappen’s third consecutive coronation and the marathon world… This weekend was rich in sports news. If you missed all of this, Franceinfo: sport offers you a catch-up session.
Rugby World Cup: France-South Africa in quarters
After a demonstration against Italy (60-7) synonymous with first place in the group, Friday evening, the XV of France awaited the identity of its opponent in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. The suspense ended on Saturday evening, with the easy success of Ireland against Scotland (36-14). The XV du Trèfle locked first place and eliminated the XV du Thistle.
It is therefore South Africa, reigning world champion, which will stand in the way of the Blues. The Springboks will be able to count on Handré Pollard, the great architect of the title in 2019, he was called up at the last minute to replace hooker Malcolm Marx, injured in training. Last November, in Marseille, Fabien Galthié’s men emerged victorious from a tough fight (30-26). Another repeat Sunday evening (9 p.m.) at the Stade de France?
Cycling: Thibaut Pinot has retired
It’s a page in the history of French cycling that is turning. On Saturday, Thibaut Pinot took the start of his last race. If it did not weigh on the scenario of the Tour of Lombardy, won by Tadej Pogacar (UAE), the main thing was elsewhere for the Franche-Comté, who was entitled to an exceptional party in his honor. His 37th place in a race he won in 2018 will remain anecdotal. The crazy atmosphere on the side of the road to celebrate your last pedal strokes is much less.
In 14 seasons with Groupama-FDJ, Thibaut Pinot has experienced prestigious success and terrible disappointments. Although he has never managed to win a Grand Tour, the Franche-Comté native has often shone with his panache and leaves the peloton with a significant track record: stage victories on the three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro and Vuelta) and a Monument (the Tour of Lombardy 2018).
F1: third world crown for Max Verstappen
The question was not who was going to be world champion, but when Max Verstappen would officially be titled. The Dutchman from the Red Bull team did not prolong the suspense, winning a third consecutive crown in the sprint race of the Qatar Grand Prix. On the Lusail circuit, “Mad Max” took advantage of the exit from the track of his last rival, his teammate Sergio Perez, to secure a new coronation.
Second in this sprint race, won by Oscar Piastri (McLaren), Max Verstappen then rectified the situation by winning the Grand Prix on Sunday. A 14th success in 17 races this year. His record from last year (15 victories) is very close. The now three-time world champion beat the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. The French from Alpine, Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, finished 7th and 12th respectively.
Football: Paris revives, Lyon stalls
After the slap received at Newcastle in the Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain recovered well on the Rennes pitch (3-1), at the end of the 8th day of Ligue 1. Vitinha, Achraf Hakimi and Randal Kolo Muani allowed Luis Enrique’s team to move forward and climb onto the championship podium, behind Monaco and Nice.
Earlier in the day, Olympique de Marseille easily beat Le Havre (3-0) to stay in contact with the European places. On the other hand, the ordeal continues for Lyon, 17th in L1 and still without a victory, after being held in check by Lorient (3-3) while the Rhone club led 3-1. For its part, AS Monaco maintains its leadership position after its victory in Reims (3-1) on Saturday.
Marathon: Kelvin Kiptum smashes the world record
Kelvin Kiptum won the first two marathons he competed in. On Sunday, in Chicago, the Kenyan did even better in his third race over the distance. In addition to the victory, the favorite of the American meeting had the luxury of seizing the world record in 2h00’35”, erasing the mark of his compatriot Eliud Kipchoge (2h01’09” in Berlin in 2022). Kiptum thus became the first man to go under the two hours and one minute mark.