The Faun Ardèche Classic witnessed a dramatic finish as three leading riders, following a wrong turn at the final roundabout, veered off course just 350 meters from the finish line. In the confusion, at least two other riders crashed, while Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) stayed on the correct path and powered his way to victory in Guilherand-Granges. This incident comes just two weeks after a similar mishap in the Volta ao Algarve, where a large group of riders mistakenly took the wrong side of the finishing straight. The Wrong Turn That Changed Everything The race followed a circuit format, meaning riders had already passed the final roundabout twice. However, on the third and decisive lap, the lead motorcycles mistakenly took a right turn, leading Javier Romo (Movistar), Enric Mas (Movistar), and Brandon McNulty (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) to follow suit. By the time they realized the mistake, it was too late. “They turned right at 350 meters to go when we had already crossed the line three times,” said Grégoire. “I think they were a little lacking in lucidity. Fortunately, I was vigilant. I knew it was straight ahead.” Mas, caught in the confusion, admitted: “Honestly, I was at full speed, I followed my teammate Javier [Romo], and the motorcycle was close, so we followed without hesitation. When we turned and I saw the cars, I said to myself, ‘Ah, we made a mistake.’” A Course Familiar to Many This is not the first time top riders have battled for victory on this course. Juan Ayuso, last year’s winner, had finished ahead of Grégoire and Mattias Skjelmose (Lidl-Trek) on the same track. This year, all three were again part of the lead group before the wrong turn shifted the race’s outcome. Race Organizer Addresses the Confusion Race organizer Guillaume Delpech addressed the mishap, acknowledging both organizational and rider errors. “We passed here three times during this race. The first two times, the riders also went straight at the roundabout. There was no doubt that things could go wrong here, but perhaps because of the intensity and effort, they no longer had a clear picture of the course,” Delpech explained. When asked whether race organizers had made a mistake, he responded: “Maybe, but the riders also made a mistake. For someone like Enric Mas, it was his first participation here, but the course has been the same every year. And we are also going to use the same finish during the European Cycling Championships in October. We are not going to change that.” Looking Ahead: The 2025 European Cycling Championships The 2025 European Cycling Championships, scheduled from October 1-5, will take place in the Drôme-Ardèche region, using the same finishing circuit as the Faun Ardèche Classic. With this high-profile error fresh in mind, it remains to be seen whether riders and organizers will take extra precautions to prevent a repeat of this dramatic finish.
Summer McIntosh Eyes Coaching Change in Pursuit of Olympic Gold
Canadian swimming sensation Summer McIntosh is making a major change in her career as she sets her sights on the 2028 Olympics. The 18-year-old from Toronto has announced that this will be her final season training at the Sarasota Sharks under coach Brent Arckey, the mentor who helped her achieve incredible success at the Paris Olympics. McIntosh is now considering legendary coach Bob Bowman, best known for training Michael Phelps to an unprecedented 23 Olympic gold medals. As she continues to grow in her career, she believes Bowman’s expertise in handling multi-event swimmers could be the key to unlocking her full potential. A New Chapter for McIntosh In an exclusive interview with CBC Sports, McIntosh reflected on her time in Sarasota, expressing deep gratitude for everything she has achieved under Arckey’s guidance. “Just to reflect on the past almost three years I’ve been in Sarasota, I’ve grown so much as a person and a swimmer. Coach Brent really pushed me to be the best swimmer I could be. I will forever cherish my years here. It’s been a great run.” Despite the upcoming transition, McIntosh will continue training with Arckey as she prepares for the World Championships in Singapore this July. Arckey is expected to remain part of the Canadian coaching team during the event. Bob Bowman: The Next Step? Bowman, who recently became the head coach at the University of Texas, has built one of the world’s top training programs, coaching elite swimmers such as Leon Marchand, Regan Smith, and Simone Manuel. Given his vast experience, McIntosh sees him as the ideal coach to guide her through a demanding multi-event Olympic program. “Bob coaching the greatest of all time—Michael Phelps—being able to do all those events is definitely an attraction. As I move forward in my career, I still want to continue to develop other events.” McIntosh is set to visit the University of Texas in March to explore her options, though she has made it clear that she is not interested in competing in the NCAA. Instead, she is looking for a professional training group that offers more flexibility and individual focus. “The NCAA is a great option, but for me personally, I think a pro team makes more sense because it has a lot more flexibility and it’s a lot more individual.” Support from Coach Arckey While the decision to move on is bittersweet, Coach Arckey fully supports McIntosh’s transition. He acknowledges that Bowman and the University of Texas offer an exceptional training environment, making it the ideal next step in her journey. “If you can find me a better place, then I’m all ears. It’s a great opportunity. I’ve been supportive of this the entire time. I want to make sure she’s going somewhere where she’s going to get better and spread her wings.” Arckey also expressed pride in McIntosh’s accomplishments under his coaching. Since joining the Sarasota Sharks, she has set world records, won multiple world championship titles, and became the first Canadian to win three gold medals in a single Olympics. In 2024, she was named Canada’s Athlete of the Year and World Aquatics’ Female Swimmer of the Year. “Since the moment I stepped on deck just as a visitor, I knew coach Brent believed in me. When I first moved here, I never thought I’d be leaving with all the medals and the records and all the stuff that we’ve accomplished.” What’s Next for McIntosh? With her sights set on five gold medals at the 2028 Olympics, Summer McIntosh is making a bold move in her career. As she weighs her options and prepares for the World Championships, all eyes will be on where she ultimately chooses to train. One thing is certain—McIntosh is just getting started, and the world of swimming should brace for even more record-breaking performances from this young Canadian superstar.
Sophie Power: The Endurance Athlete Pushing Limits and Breaking Records
Sophie Power’s journey into the world of ultrarunning is nothing short of extraordinary. Unlike many athletes who start young, Power found her passion for running later in life—after leaving behind a career in investment banking. Today, she is a world-record-holding endurance runner, proving that it’s never too late to chase new goals. Breaking Records and Pushing Boundaries Power recently set a new benchmark in endurance running by covering over 365 km (226.8 miles) in 48 hours on a treadmill at the National Running Show in Birmingham, England. This feat, pending official recognition from Guinness World Records, makes her the woman to run the longest distance on a treadmill in that timeframe. This achievement follows another incredible milestone—becoming the fastest woman to run across Ireland on foot. Her ability to push herself beyond limits is driven by a deep passion for endurance sports and a desire to inspire more women to take up challenges in the athletic world. Why She Takes on These Challenges For Power, each challenge is deeply personal. She believes in setting goals that push her beyond her comfort zone. “You need to set something slightly outside your comfort zone because, if I said I was going to do something I knew I could do, you don’t get that achievement at the finish,” she shared in an interview with CNN Sport. Her journey isn’t just about records—it’s about breaking barriers for women in sports. She wants to make endurance racing more accessible to women and highlight the realities of balancing motherhood and elite sports. The Real Sacrifices Behind Success Despite her incredible achievements, Power is cautious about being labeled a role model. She believes that inspiration should come with realism, as people often see success stories without understanding the effort and sacrifices behind them. As a mother of three, Power has faced numerous challenges in her endurance career. She openly discusses the sacrifices she makes to achieve her goals: • Prioritizing training over keeping her house spotless • Skipping makeup and fashion to save time • Reducing social outings and TV time • Juggling childcare and multitasking to fit in workouts By sharing the less glamorous side of her success, Power hopes to encourage others to pursue their passions in a way that fits their reality. Inspiring Women in Sports Sophie Power’s journey is about more than records—it’s about making sports more inclusive for women. She is reshaping the conversation around endurance sports, proving that success comes with dedication, sacrifice, and a deep personal connection to one’s goals. Her story is a reminder that anyone, at any stage of life, can push their limits and achieve greatness.