Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/682605
DOUGPENSINGER—GETTYIMAGES Rohan Dennis of Australia, riding for BMC Racing, races to victory in the individual time trial during Stage 6of the Amgen Tour of California on Friday in Folsom. The Associated Press FOLSOM Eighth place feltlikefirst for Julian Alaphilippe on Friday. The French cyclist known for his climbing ability turned in a surpris- ing performance in the Stage 6 time trial at the Tour of California, mini- mizing his losses in a discipline that has proven difficult for him in the past to retain his overall race lead. Rohan Dennis won the stage with a blistering performance, covering the 12.6-mile course in 24 minutes, 16 seconds. But the Australian rider — and one of the world's best against the clock — was still 16 seconds be- hind Alaphilippe heading into the penultimate stage. BMC Racing's Brent Bookwalter turned in the fifth-best time, vault- ing into third in the overall stand- ings. The veteran American rider was 38 seconds behind Alaphilippe. "I think that today was probably one of the best time trial's that I've done, so I am happy with that," Den- nis said. "It was also a good indica- tion that after six days, everything I have done leading up to now has been working and I am on the right track, especially after not a whole lot of racing. I'm in a good place men- tally with my form and I was happy to come away with that win." Earlier, Twenty16-Ridebiker won the women's team time trial over the same course, followed by Boels-Dol- mans and UnitedHealthcare. Megan Guarnier retained the overall lead. The stage figured to be the biggest hurdle to victory for Alaphilippe, who doggedly held onto the leader's jersey he won with an impressive climb up Gibraltar Road. He was 14 seconds off the pace of Dennis at the midway checkpoint before fading to eighth place on the stage. The reigning U.S. time trial cham- pion, Andrew Talansky, finished 17 seconds behind Dennis to take sec- ond on the stage. Taylor Phinney was 20 seconds back in third place. Their performances could prove critical in selecting the U.S. team for the Rio Olympics. TOUR OF CALIFORNIA Alaphilippekeepsoveralllead Frenchcyclistgrabs8th place in time trial that goes through Folsom By Cliff Brunt The Associated Press OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma City Thunder have valuable experi- ence bouncing back from disaster. In Game 1 of the Western Con- ference semifinals, the San Antonio Spurs rolled past the Thunder by 32 points. Oklahoma City responded by beating the Spurs in San Antonio 98-97 the next game, and the Thun- der eventually took the series 4-2. The Thunder seized home-court in the Western Conference Finals against Golden State by winning Game 1 before the Warriors re- sponded by blowing past them 118- 91 in Game 2. The Thunder will try to recover again Sunday as the se- ries shifts from Oakland to Okla- homa City. "Yeah, it helps a little bit with our confidence just knowing that we've been in this position before," Thun- der forward Kevin Durant said. "It's not foreign land to us. But last se- ries — we can't really worry about that too much. We've got to focus on who we've got in front of us right now. We know it's easier said than done. Just because we did it last time, doesn't mean it's guaranteed to happen again." NBA PLAYOFFS THUNDERTOTRY AND BOUNCE BACK Oklahoma City beat Golden State in Game 1 of conference finals, then got blown out in Game 2 The Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) dunks past the Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (23) and Festus Ezeli (31) during the first half in Game 2of the Western Conference finals Wednesday in Oakland. PHOTOS BY MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS The Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) pats teammate Russell Westbrook (0) on the shoulder as they take a lead over the Golden State Warriors during the second half in Game 1of the Western Conference finals Monday in Oakland. SERIESTIED1-1 Game 3: Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder, 5p.m. on Sunday, TV on TNT. TUNEIN By Josh Dubow The Associated Press SAN JOSE Now it will be up to Jake Allen to try to slow down Joe Thornton and San Jose's top line. After Thornton and his line- mates managed to dominate play against St. Louis the past two games in a way that Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Ja- mie Benn couldn't in the first two rounds of the NHL play- offs, the Blues decided to change goalies for Game 4 of the West- ern Conference final against the Sharks. "It feels like we need to get us a little bit of momentum changed our way because we're not rewarded for the work and they are, which is the differ- ence," coach Ken Hitchcock said. "The small difference in the se- ries has been that. We dinged them in Game 1, they've dinged us in Games 2 and 3." San Jose's top line of Thorn- ton, Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl have driven the play and are a major reason why the Sharks lead the Blues 2-1 to put them as close as they have ever been to reaching the Stanley Cup final. Hertl scored two goals in San Jose's 3-0 victory in Game 3 on Thursday night off passes from each of his linemates and the trio spent much of the night in St. Louis' zone creating chances and momentum. "These guys in my mind are NHL PLAYOFFS Sharks ride top line to series lead over Blues SHARKS LEAD SERIES 2-1 Game 4: St. Louis Blues at San Jose Sharks, 4:15p.m. Saturday, TV on NBC. TUNEIN By Samuel Petrequin The Associated Press PARIS In his quest to com- plete a career Grand Slam, No- vak Djokovic could have to beat nine-time champion Rafael Nadal in the French Open semifinals. Djokovic, who will face 100th- ranked Lu Yen-hsun in the first round, was put in the same side of the draw as Nadal on Friday. The top-ranked Serb beat Nadal in the quarterfinals last year, the Spaniard's second loss of his ca- reer at Roland Garros. Defending champion Stan Wawrinka and Andy Murray could meet in the other semifi- nal match. In the women's draw, Serena Williams' attempt to equal Steffi Graf's professional era record of 22 major titles includes a possible quarterfinal match against Victo- ria Azarenka. Djokovic has lost in the final on the red clay in three of the last four years. But winning the French Open would give him four consecutive major champi- onships, something no man has achieved since Rod Laver won a true Grand Slam in 1969. "Of course the expectations are big not just from my side but from people around knowing that this is the only Grand Slam I never won," Djokovic said. "Of course people are very eager to find out whether or not I can make it this FRENCH OPEN DRAW Djokovic, Nadal may meet in semifinals By Beth Harris The Associated Press ANAHEIM Tim Lincecum signed a $2.5 million, one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, giving the injury-plagued team additional depth for the rotation. The two-time NL Cy Young Award winner is attempting to come back from left hip surgery. Lincecum didn't pitch after June 27 last year with the Giants be- cause of degenerative hip prob- lems. He had surgery Sept. 3 and didn't sign with a team after fin- ishing a $35 million, two-year deal last season. "I'm anxious, excited and a little nervous," Lincecum said by phone. "I'm pumped to see what I can do out there on the field. I know what I'm fighting for and that's to get back to a starting role." General manager Billy Eppler said Lincecum would need 12 to 30 days to get ready. He will ini- tially report to the team's spring training facility in Arizona, where he's been living for the last nine months. BASEBALL Lincecum's deal signed with Angels NBA PAGE 2 SHARKS PAGE 2 TENNIS PAGE 2 LINCECUM PAGE 2 CYCLING PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Saturday, May 21, 2016 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1