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Sastre takes stage, overall Tour lead

L'ALPE D'HUEZ, France, July 23 (UPI) -- Carlos Sastre won the 17th stage of the Tour de France by more than 2 minutes Wednesday, earning his first stage win in five years and the overall tour lead.

Sastre last won a tour stage in 2003, but led Wednesday's race by healthy margins over the final 6 miles of the 126.3-mile run from Embrun to L'Alpe-d'Huez.

The run included three uncharacterized climbs, including one at L'Alpe d'Huez in the final 9 miles where Sastre was able to take control.

He was timed in 6 hours, 7 minutes, 58 seconds, which was 2:03 ahead of runner-up Samuel Sanchez and Andy Schleck, and 2:13 ahead of Alejandro Valverde and Frank Schleck.

Sastre began the day 48 seconds behind Frank Schleck, his Team CSC Savxo Bank teammate, in the overall standings. The stage win Wednesday made Sastre the seventh rider this year to wear the overall leader's yellow jersey.

Frank Schleck is second 1:24 behind Sastre with Bernhard Kohl in third, 1:33 off the pace, and Cadel Evans fourth another second back.

The 18th stage, set for Thursday, runs from Bourg-d'Oisans to Saint-Etienne, a 118-mile route that features two Category 2 climbs about three-quarters of the way through the race.

Report: Women athletes becoming wealthy

NEW YORK, July 23 (UPI) -- Tennis players occupied the top four slots in 2007 among the world's highest-paid women athletes.

Forbes.com reported Wednesday the quartet is Maria Sharapova of Russia ($26 million), American sisters Serena and Venus Williams ($14 million and $13 million respectively) and recently retired tennis player Justine Henin of Belgium ($12.5 million).

"The tour has a much more international flavor to it," said David Carter of the Sports Business Group, an industry consultant. "The chance does exist, especially as women's sports get more coverage in the Olympics," Carter added when discussing the issue of whether women's team-sport athletes ever catch up to men in earnings.

Golfer Michelle Wie of Hawaii is No. 5 despite a failure to win a tournament and two disqualifications on the LPGA Tour after a much-publicized start to her career.

The next spots are filled by golfers Annika Sorenstam ($11 million) and Lorena Ochoa ($10 million), IndyCar driver Danica Patrick ($7 million) and tennis' Ana Ivanovic ($6.5 million).

Fogg hit by line drive, to miss start

CINCINNATI, July 23 (UPI) -- Cincinnati pitcher Josh Fogg will miss a start after being hit with a ball during batting practice and suffering a facial cut that took 30 stitches to close.

Fogg was hit in the face Tuesday while he was in right field playing catch. A line drive hit by first baseman Joey Votto hit Fogg. Doctors said it took 30 stitches to close the wound. Fogg also had a chipped tooth.

"I was about to throw a ball and someone said, 'Heads up.' I turned and I should have turned the other way," Fogg told MLB.com. "There are no broken bones. I have a chipped tooth and 30 stitches. … I've never been hit in the face with the ball."

Edinson Volquez was moved up a day in the rotation to take Fogg's scheduled spot Friday against Colorado. Fogg may be used in Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Fogg is 2-2 with a 7.09 earned run average in 14 games this season, but 1-0 with a 2.60 ERA in his last three starts.

K.C.'s Woodland racetrack to close Aug. 24

KANSAS CITY, Kan., July 23 (UPI) -- The Woodlands racetrack in Kansas City, Kan., announced it would go out of business on Aug. 24 due to competition from Missouri casinos.

Woodlands President Howard Grace said the horse and dog track couldn't continue operations, although there was hope it could reopen some day after adding casino gaming.

The track opened in 1989 in western Kansas City, Kan., but has been losing business to Missouri riverboat casinos since 1994, The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported Wednesday.

The Woodlands officials have been negotiating a deal with the state of Kansas to allow slot machines at the track. The Star said a major problem is a Kansas law that would impose a 40-percent tax on the slot handle on top of the 14-percent tax levied on the racing operations.

Officials at the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission said the decision to close was disappointing and ordered that the process be orderly and ensure that the dozens of greyhounds kenneled at the track remain cared for, the Star said.

Kayaker named Canadian Olympic flag bearer

TORONTO, July 23 (UPI) -- Gold Medal-winning kayaker Adam van Koeverden has been selected to be the bearer of the Canadian flag at the Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremonies.

Van Koeverden, 26 from Oakville, Ontario, won the gold medal in the K-1 500-meter sprint at the Olympics in Athens in 2004. He also claimed a bronze medal in the K-1 1,000 meters. The Beijing Games mark his second Olympics.

"It's an incredible honor and privilege to be selected as Canada's flag bearer for these Olympic Games," van Koeverden said. "China is preparing an awesome Opening Ceremony, which I'm thrilled to lead our team of amazing Canadian athletes into. It's a great feeling to be representing my sport of Canoe-Kayak, our entire Canadian contingent, and everyone back home in Canada."

Opening ceremonies for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing are set for Aug. 8.