Two Tour de France riders kicked out of race

Two riders, including a teammate of defending Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas, were kicked out of the race after they got into an altercation that both teams said was unworthy of such a harsh penalty.

Cycling governing body UCI and race organizers said Wednesday that Thomas' Ineos teammate Luke Rowe and Tony Martin, who rides in support of Jumbo-Visma leader Steven Kruijswijk, were disqualified.

"We were both trying to do a job,'' Rowe said. ''Maybe we both overstepped the mark slightly, but it feels harsh to be thrown off the race, both of us. Neither of us deserve that."

The decision is a blow for both Thomas and Kruijswijk, who were second and third in the overall standings behind leader Julian Alaphilippe ahead of three tough Alpine stages where they will need strong support.

Martin and Rowe appeared to shove each other close to the finish of the 200-kilometer Stage 17 to Gap in the Col de la Sentinelle. Martin shoulder-barged Rowe, who then chased him and pushed a hand on Rowe's neck.

Rowe said it was just a battle for position, adding that he "shook hands" with Martin at the end of the stage.

... Italian rider Matteo Trentin used a solo attack to win Stage 17 after pulling away from a group of breakaway riders. It was Trentin's third career stage win at the Tour, but first since 2014.

Kristof Milak of Hungary won the 200-meter butterfly at the world swimming championships, breaking Michael Phelps' 10-year-old world record. Milak touched in 1 minute, 50.73 seconds to lower the mark of 1:51.51 that Phelps set at the 2009 worlds in Rome during the height of the high-tech suit era. The 19-year-old swimmer became the first teenager to win a world title in the event since Phelps at age 18 in 2003.

Jerry Sandusky won't get a fresh chance to argue in state court he should get a new trial, seven years after the former Penn State assistant football coach was convicted of molesting 10 boys.

Pennsylvania's Supreme Court turned down Sandusky's request that it review a Superior Court decision earlier this year rejecting most of his arguments.

It is likely Sandusky will seek help from the federal courts, and he expects to meet with Sandusky later this week at the State Correction Institution at Laurel Highlands.

WNBA: Jasmine Thomas had 18 points and seven assists and Courtney Williams added 13 points and eight rebounds as Connecticut beat New York 70-63 for its fourth consecutive victory.