CYCLING

Britain’s Cavendish edges closer to legends with his 24th stage win at Tour de France

Mark Cavendish finally shook off an illness and a drop in form to earn his 24th career stage win at the Tour de France on Wednesday and close the gap on rival Peter Sagan for the top sprinter’s green jersey.

The British sprinter relinquished his green jersey to Sagan last year and trails the Slovak again. But by winning the fifth stage, Cavendish closed within 35 points of his rival, who finished third in the crash-marred trek to the southern seaport of Marseille.

“Now the pressure’s off and hopefully it has started the ball rolling,” Cavendish said.

Australian veteran Simon Gerrans kept the overall leader’s yellow jersey by avoiding two crashes – the first as riders neared the end of the stage and the second moments after Cavendish had comfortably beaten Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen in their dash to the line.

GOLF

RYDER CUP: TV analyst and two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North jumped at U.S. Ryder Cup captain Tom Watson’s invite to be a vice captain for next year’s matches in Gleneagles, Scotland.

TENNIS

ATP: Roger Federer will play this month at the German championships in Hamburg, which starts July 15, adding a second ATP tournament to his unexpected clay-court schedule in July.

FOOTBALL

49ERS: An arrest warrant alleging that linebacker Ahmad Brooks hit a teammate with a beer bottle has been shelved at the request of the prosecutors.

COLTS: Safety Joe Lefeged was released from a Washington, D.C., jail Tuesday following his arrest Saturday on charges of possessing a semiautomatic pistol.

Prosecutors said the case was referred to a grand jury.

BASKETBALL

SPURS: Guard Manu Ginobili, 36 — part of the Big Three along with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker — said he’ll remain with San Antonio for two more years.

WIZARDS: Garrett Temple agreed to a one-year contract for next season.

BASEBALL

FCBL: Lorenzo Papa went 4 for 6 with three RBI on the day as the Brockton Rox (9-12) swept the Old Orchard Beach Raging Tide (9-11) in a Futures Collegiate Baseball League doubleheader, winning 5-3 and 3-2 at the Ballpark in Old Orchard Beach.

Aaron Wilson had two doubles with an RBI for the Tide in the opener while Zach Collet had a pair of hits with a triple in the nightcap.

AMERICAN LEGION: Shawn Francoeur tossed a no-hitter in a five-inning shortened first game and Tanner Leberge pitched a four-hit shutout in a six-inning second game as the Windham Merchants swept host Brunwick 11-0 and 9-0.

Joey Francoeur tripled in two runs in the first game and Nate Boyle had a two-run single in the second.

— From staff and news services