2 months ago
IndyCar president Doug Boles flew from Ontario to Washington, D.C., the evening of Aug. 16 with as much trepidation as he had optimism. Boles, who typically travels to the site of IndyCar's upcoming race mid-week, wasted no time getting to the nation's capital ahead of the series' second-biggest race of the year, the Freedom 250 Grand Prix.
After IndyCar and promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions made a poor first impression – having to call off Friday's practice session – at their new street race in Markham, Ontario, it wasn't clear what awaited for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, although this race was promoted by Penske Entertainment with ****** istance from Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Harbinger.
"Honestly, I was worried just because how Canada had gone," Boles told IndyStar in an exclusive interview.
But after a dinner with Penske Corporation president Bud Denker and the chance to see the 7-turn, 1.7-mile track come to fruition, Boles realized that IndyCar was "in good shape" for Saturday and Sunday's on-track sessions.
Once President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the IndyCar race – which was won by Kyle Kirkwood – to occur around the U.S. Capitol Building, the series had less than seven months to check every box for the new street course. (It typically takes a year, sometimes two, to set up new street circuits.)
#street
After IndyCar and promoter Green Savoree Racing Promotions made a poor first impression – having to call off Friday's practice session – at their new street race in Markham, Ontario, it wasn't clear what awaited for the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, although this race was promoted by Penske Entertainment with ****** istance from Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Harbinger.
"Honestly, I was worried just because how Canada had gone," Boles told IndyStar in an exclusive interview.
But after a dinner with Penske Corporation president Bud Denker and the chance to see the 7-turn, 1.7-mile track come to fruition, Boles realized that IndyCar was "in good shape" for Saturday and Sunday's on-track sessions.
Once President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the IndyCar race – which was won by Kyle Kirkwood – to occur around the U.S. Capitol Building, the series had less than seven months to check every box for the new street course. (It typically takes a year, sometimes two, to set up new street circuits.)
#street
3 months ago
Weeks before the Freedom 250 Grand Prix hits the streets of Washington DC, organizers announced a major change to help celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
Spectators going to the Aug. 23 race in DC will now get 18% more action, as 22 laps were added to the race.
Why did they make the change — and what can spectators expect for what's being called a "once-in-a-lifetime" race? Here's what to know.
The grand prix is going from 125 laps to 147 laps, meaning the race will now be 250 miles.
"With America celebrating 250 years of freedom and innovation in 2026, it is only fitting that the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be a true 250-mile race," Bud Denker, Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, said in a press release. "The additional laps will create even more opportunities for strategy, on-track action and late-race drama while giving our fans extra value and even more opportunities to enjoy this historic event."
#grand #change
Spectators going to the Aug. 23 race in DC will now get 18% more action, as 22 laps were added to the race.
Why did they make the change — and what can spectators expect for what's being called a "once-in-a-lifetime" race? Here's what to know.
The grand prix is going from 125 laps to 147 laps, meaning the race will now be 250 miles.
"With America celebrating 250 years of freedom and innovation in 2026, it is only fitting that the Freedom 250 Grand Prix will be a true 250-mile race," Bud Denker, Chairman of the Freedom 250 Grand Prix, said in a press release. "The additional laps will create even more opportunities for strategy, on-track action and late-race drama while giving our fans extra value and even more opportunities to enjoy this historic event."
#grand #change
3 months ago
Florian Lipowitz has returned home after undergoing surgery on a collarbone fracture the German rider sustained in a crash at the Tour de France, team manager Ralph Denk has said.
"he is at home again. He is following the race, texting us. We are in contact," Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe manager Denk said after the 19th stage in Alpe d'Huez.
Lipowitz crashed in a turn during Tuesday's time trial and had to withdraw from the Tour. He was fifth in the overall standings at the time and had the chance to make the final podium like last year, when he finished third.
Denk said that he expects Lipowitz to return before the end of the season, possibly for autumn one day classics such as Il Lombardia on October 10.
He is not expected to be fit in time for the Spanish Vuelta starting on August 22 or the world championships in Montreal from September 20.
#denk #time
"he is at home again. He is following the race, texting us. We are in contact," Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe manager Denk said after the 19th stage in Alpe d'Huez.
Lipowitz crashed in a turn during Tuesday's time trial and had to withdraw from the Tour. He was fifth in the overall standings at the time and had the chance to make the final podium like last year, when he finished third.
Denk said that he expects Lipowitz to return before the end of the season, possibly for autumn one day classics such as Il Lombardia on October 10.
He is not expected to be fit in time for the Spanish Vuelta starting on August 22 or the world championships in Montreal from September 20.
#denk #time
4 months ago
CINCINNATI (AP) — Pavel Bucha scored two goals Wednesday night to help FC Cincinnati beat the Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3.
Evander Da Silva Ferreira — known simply as “Evander” — added a goal and an **** ist for Cincinnati and Kevin Denkey also scored a goal. Roman Celentano had three saves for Cincinnati (6-5-5).
Evander scored on the counter-attack to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead in the 36th minute. As the defense raced back to set up, Evander paused just outside the top of the penalty box and blasted a shot off the left post for his 10th goal this season.
The Whitecaps (10-3-2) played for the first time since before the World Cup break after their game at Chicago, which had originally been scheduled for Thursday, was postponed until Oct. 6 due to poor air quality in the area.
Bucha opened the scoring in the ninth minute and scored again in the 56th. Evander, from near the penalty spot, lofted a ball to the right post where a charging Bucha slammed home a first-touch finish to give Cincinnati a 4-2 lead in the 56th minute.
#evander #goal
Evander Da Silva Ferreira — known simply as “Evander” — added a goal and an **** ist for Cincinnati and Kevin Denkey also scored a goal. Roman Celentano had three saves for Cincinnati (6-5-5).
Evander scored on the counter-attack to give Cincinnati a 3-2 lead in the 36th minute. As the defense raced back to set up, Evander paused just outside the top of the penalty box and blasted a shot off the left post for his 10th goal this season.
The Whitecaps (10-3-2) played for the first time since before the World Cup break after their game at Chicago, which had originally been scheduled for Thursday, was postponed until Oct. 6 due to poor air quality in the area.
Bucha opened the scoring in the ninth minute and scored again in the 56th. Evander, from near the penalty spot, lofted a ball to the right post where a charging Bucha slammed home a first-touch finish to give Cincinnati a 4-2 lead in the 56th minute.
#evander #goal
4 months ago
Top German rider Florian Lipowitz broke his collarbone in a crash on the 16th stage of the Tour de France and his season could now be compromised.
Last year's third-place finisher was fifth overall heading into Tuesday's time trial but a heavy crash at speed meant he had to withdraw from the race given his injury, which was confirmed by his Red Bull team.
He will miss at least six weeks, which makes the Vuelta (August 22 to September 13) impossible and the World Championships in Montreal (September 20 to 27) unlikely. The one-day races in Italy at the end of the season such as the Tour of Lombardy (October 10) are still doable.
It was a bitter-sweet day for the team given other leading rider Remco Evenepoel won the stage to trim Tadej Pogačar's overall lead to 4 minutes 32 seconds. The Tour concludes on Sunday.
Team boss Ralph Denk said: "We will not only miss Florian in the fight for the podium, we will also miss him here as a person. We won but it is not as if it is super great for us. I also feel sorry for Remco that not everything here is peace, joy and pancakes."
#team #september #crash
Last year's third-place finisher was fifth overall heading into Tuesday's time trial but a heavy crash at speed meant he had to withdraw from the race given his injury, which was confirmed by his Red Bull team.
He will miss at least six weeks, which makes the Vuelta (August 22 to September 13) impossible and the World Championships in Montreal (September 20 to 27) unlikely. The one-day races in Italy at the end of the season such as the Tour of Lombardy (October 10) are still doable.
It was a bitter-sweet day for the team given other leading rider Remco Evenepoel won the stage to trim Tadej Pogačar's overall lead to 4 minutes 32 seconds. The Tour concludes on Sunday.
Team boss Ralph Denk said: "We will not only miss Florian in the fight for the podium, we will also miss him here as a person. We won but it is not as if it is super great for us. I also feel sorry for Remco that not everything here is peace, joy and pancakes."
#team #september #crash
4 months ago
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reshapes his Cabinet amid Russia's ongoing invasion of the eastern European country.
In a lengthy statement on social media, Zelensky said he and Svyrydenko determined they need to implement "personnel changes" to "ensure the implementation of the updated political strategy."
Zelensky added, "We determined that these changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers. I am grateful to [Svyrydenko] for her clear, steady, and effective work as Prime Minister, for her years of productive service on Ukraine's team, and I have offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner."
The Ukrainian president, who has remained in office past the expiration of his term due to his declaration of martial law upon Russia's invasion in 2022, did not name the position he offered to Svyrydenko. He also noted there will "be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies" in Ukraine.
Svyrydenko said Sunday she was "grateful" to Zelensky "for his trust and for his high ****** sment of our team's work" during her time in office.
In a lengthy statement on social media, Zelensky said he and Svyrydenko determined they need to implement "personnel changes" to "ensure the implementation of the updated political strategy."
Zelensky added, "We determined that these changes require a renewal of the Cabinet of Ministers. I am grateful to [Svyrydenko] for her clear, steady, and effective work as Prime Minister, for her years of productive service on Ukraine's team, and I have offered her the opportunity to lead a new and important area of relations with a key partner."
The Ukrainian president, who has remained in office past the expiration of his term due to his declaration of martial law upon Russia's invasion in 2022, did not name the position he offered to Svyrydenko. He also noted there will "be changes among the heads of law enforcement agencies" in Ukraine.
Svyrydenko said Sunday she was "grateful" to Zelensky "for his trust and for his high ****** sment of our team's work" during her time in office.
4 months ago
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stepped down on Sunday as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced fresh changes to Ukraine's government, saying he had offered a new and important position to the former premier.
Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, has periodically reshuffled his government in an effort to bring fresh momentum to his administration.
Svyrydenko, who has served as Ukraine's economy minister, was named prime minister in July 2025 at the age of 39 after playing a lead role in securing a mineral agreement between Ukraine and the United States, seen as an important way of tying U.S. interests to Ukraine's security.
In a statement on social media, Svyrydenko said she was "proud to have had the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine's modern history." She also said she had discussed "next steps" with Zelenskyy, but did not provide further details.
"I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine's position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer," she said.
Zelenskyy, who has remained in office under martial law because wartime elections are prohibited, has periodically reshuffled his government in an effort to bring fresh momentum to his administration.
Svyrydenko, who has served as Ukraine's economy minister, was named prime minister in July 2025 at the age of 39 after playing a lead role in securing a mineral agreement between Ukraine and the United States, seen as an important way of tying U.S. interests to Ukraine's security.
In a statement on social media, Svyrydenko said she was "proud to have had the honor of leading the government during one of the most difficult periods in Ukraine's modern history." She also said she had discussed "next steps" with Zelenskyy, but did not provide further details.
"I remain ready to serve the Ukrainian state and carry out every task aimed at strengthening Ukraine's position, defending our national interests and bringing a just peace closer," she said.
4 months ago
Richard Gudenkauf walked his daughter down the aisle in September 1996 with a frown on his face.
The bride, Bernadette, was a vision in her white dress and matching pearls, big doe eyes peering out from behind her veil. Her mother, Laura Gudenkauf, watched her daughter glowing, happy to finally be marrying the man she had met years earlier during a theater production at church.
From the start, Richard had a bad feeling about the groom, David Vander Meer. He wasn't happy about David marrying his daughter, a vibrant young performer, rooted in her faith, engaged in her community.
Bernadette had always been a star in Richard's eyes. But it was at a crowded nightclub one night that he realized just how bright her light could shine. There was a karaoke stage in the corner, where a small audience listened to amateur singers crooning above the din of the larger crowd.
Bernadette got up to perform, and she was only four or five notes in when a hush fell over the entire club. They were captivated.
The bride, Bernadette, was a vision in her white dress and matching pearls, big doe eyes peering out from behind her veil. Her mother, Laura Gudenkauf, watched her daughter glowing, happy to finally be marrying the man she had met years earlier during a theater production at church.
From the start, Richard had a bad feeling about the groom, David Vander Meer. He wasn't happy about David marrying his daughter, a vibrant young performer, rooted in her faith, engaged in her community.
Bernadette had always been a star in Richard's eyes. But it was at a crowded nightclub one night that he realized just how bright her light could shine. There was a karaoke stage in the corner, where a small audience listened to amateur singers crooning above the din of the larger crowd.
Bernadette got up to perform, and she was only four or five notes in when a hush fell over the entire club. They were captivated.
4 months ago
Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz have made peace again after Evenepoel accused his Red Bull-Bora hansgrohe team-mate of not helping him in Thursday's Tour de France mountain stage in the Pyrenees.
"The two lads spoke about it. It is no big deal. The issue was made bigger than it was," team chief Ralph Denk said in a team podcast ahead of Friday's stage to Bordeaux.
Lipowitz told broadcasters ARD and Eurosport: "We talked in the bus yesterday. I think everything is settled. In the end it was a super tough day and we can be satisfied with the performance. The atmosphere is good."
Evenepoel struck a conciliatory tone as well on Friday, saying: "Everyone has their own strengths, and you want to make the most of them. Everything has been said. The past is the past. We must now look ahead."
The Belgian twice Olympic champion had initially criticised last year's Tour third place finisher Lipowitz of Germany for not having done enough lead work in a chase group on Thursday.
"The two lads spoke about it. It is no big deal. The issue was made bigger than it was," team chief Ralph Denk said in a team podcast ahead of Friday's stage to Bordeaux.
Lipowitz told broadcasters ARD and Eurosport: "We talked in the bus yesterday. I think everything is settled. In the end it was a super tough day and we can be satisfied with the performance. The atmosphere is good."
Evenepoel struck a conciliatory tone as well on Friday, saying: "Everyone has their own strengths, and you want to make the most of them. Everything has been said. The past is the past. We must now look ahead."
The Belgian twice Olympic champion had initially criticised last year's Tour third place finisher Lipowitz of Germany for not having done enough lead work in a chase group on Thursday.
5 months ago
Red Bull-Bora–Hansgrohe team boss Ralph Denk does not see any potential for conflict after naming German cycling star Florian Lipowitz and Belgian Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel as joint team leaders for July's Tour de France.
"I am convinced that this will work very well," Denk told a media round on Tuesday ahead of the Tour, which starts on July 4 in Barcelona, adding: "Remco is still the front man and Florian is a bit of the wingman."
However, Denk said this was more because Evenepoel, as the reigning time trial world champion and double Olympic champion from Paris 2024, was more in the media spotlight.
Both riders are equal as far as the race is concerned.
"In the end, the day will come when one or the other feels better. Then the two of them have to sort it out between themselves on the road," the team chief added.
"I am convinced that this will work very well," Denk told a media round on Tuesday ahead of the Tour, which starts on July 4 in Barcelona, adding: "Remco is still the front man and Florian is a bit of the wingman."
However, Denk said this was more because Evenepoel, as the reigning time trial world champion and double Olympic champion from Paris 2024, was more in the media spotlight.
Both riders are equal as far as the race is concerned.
"In the end, the day will come when one or the other feels better. Then the two of them have to sort it out between themselves on the road," the team chief added.
