Chris Froome's hope of retaining Tour de France title ends in early stages

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/jul/15/weekly-sport-diary-chris-froome

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The Tour de France was back on home soil following its brief sojourn through England, but it was a less than happy homecoming for 2013's grand fromage Chris Froome, who was forced to withdraw after fracturing his left wrist and right hand during falls in northern France. Australia's Richie Porte was one of the main beneficiaries, becoming Team Sky's new leading rider. In the Alsace mountains last weekend, Tony Gallopin cheered home fans by becoming only the second Frenchman to wear the yellow jersey on Bastille Day, as race favourites including Vincenzo Nibali, Alberto Contador and Porte geared up for a more sustained tilt at the leadership this week.

First Test limps to a draw

England and India played out a soporific draw in the first Test at Trent Bridge on a much-criticised pitch, in a match which will be remembered mainly for a world-record batting stand of 198 for the last wicket by Joe Root (154no) and James Anderson (81) in England's first innings. "I still can't quite believe it," said Anderson, who also bowled 59 thankless overs for just four wickets in the match. "I'm actually stiffer from the batting. I've found muscles I didn't think I had. I've got a bit more respect for batsmen now." There was also a century for India's Murali Vijay and another batting failure from England captain Alastair Cook, who nevertheless stunned everyone, not least himself, by taking his first ever Test wicket with the ball.

Rose wins Scottish Open

Justin Rose laid down a marker for this week's British Open at Hoylake by winning the Scottish Open, a final round of 65 sealing a two-shot win over Kristoffer Broberg for the Englishman's second successive tournament victory. "I couldn't have scripted it better," said Rose, who dropped just one shot in his closing 49 holes. "I've never won two in a row and I've certainly never won three in a row so I'm in uncharted territory." In the Women's British Open, American world No 99 Mo Martin pulled off a shock result by mastering windy conditions at Royal Birkdale to seal victory in what was also her first-ever tour success.

Suárez joins Barcelona

Domestic club football – it's back, or at least it would be if Fifa rules permitted it. Luis Suárez completed his $130m transfer from Liverpool to Barcelona, but the Spanish club were unable to parade their sabre-toothed Uruguayan because of his four-month ban for biting an opponent at the World Cup. "The ban relates to all football-related activity," clarified a Fifa spokeswoman. "He cannot even be involved in a football-related charity event." Cheering news for football-related charities around the world, no doubt, for a few more weeks at least.