Magnier wins stage 18; Vingegaard maintains the lead

The future of former Miami Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill remains up in the air. This week, the 32-year-old shared on social media that he still has no strength in his left leg, almost 10 months after suffering a serious knee injury that took him out of the 2024 season.

Hill offered details through a YouTube video about his recovery process. The injury occurred on September 29, 2024 against the New York Jets: a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and a dislocation of the left knee.

“So it’s been about 10 months after having two surgeries. My left leg is the one I injured. I don’t have any strength in my left leg, so I’m trying to get all that strength back,” he said.

Despite the difficulties, Hill is already running and has shown progress. He even recalled, “They told me I might never be able to walk again. Now look at me.”

A career marked by injuries

The Dolphins acquired Hill in a trade with Kansas City before the 2022 season and gave him a four-year, $120 million extension, at the time the highest contract for a receiver. With Miami he had two consecutive seasons of more than 1,700 yards through the air, leading the NFL in 2023 with 1,799 yards and 13 touchdowns.

In 2024, before the injury, he recorded 81 receptions for 959 yards, his lowest numbers since 2019. The five-time All-Pro was released by the Dolphins and is now looking to regain his form.

In 10 seasons with Kansas City and Miami, Hill has: 819 receptions, 11,363 yards and 83 touchdowns, with eight selections to the Pro Bowl. His return remains a mystery.

Alonso’s dilemma

Fernando Alonso has put on the table a condition to continue in Formula 1: that the cars be fun to drive again. The two-time champion, who will turn 45 next week, signed a contract extension “for several years” in 2024 and assures that he has a link with Aston Martin until 2027.

However, its future is not guaranteed. Alonso and the British team have suffered with a slow and unreliable car, the first designed under the direction of Adrian Newey. So far, the only point of the season was achieved in Monaco.

“For me, I am calm. As I have said many times, I am thinking. I need to know what I do next year and in the following years. I feel fresh, I feel motivated, I feel fast, but I also need to enjoy what I do,” he declared before the Hungarian GP.

Alonso was critical of recent races in Britain and Belgium, where cars ran out of battery power on long straights. “I think it’s not fun to watch, it’s not fun to drive, and we’ve been repeating the same thing every Grand Prix,” he said. “It’s not the same adrenaline I used to get driving a Formula 1 car. That’s something I need to put on the table. It’s simply a question of whether F1 gives me the adrenaline I need to live.”

Aston Martin will bring a significant package of improvements to Hungary, a slow and twisty circuit that could compensate for the lack of power. Additionally, an engine upgrade from Honda is expected later. Alonso is confident that Newey and Honda will deliver a winning car. “I think I have a pretty clear picture of the team, that we are going to solve all the problems. They take time, but I have no doubts, zero doubts, that Adrian will provide the best car on the grid sooner or later,” he said. “I would like to see the first step with this package… and I think there will be more to come next year, that’s for sure, and in the years after.”

Alonso’s decision will depend on whether F1 brings back the emotion behind the wheel. For now, the Spaniard awaits improvements and analyzes his future.

Richard Carapaz once again demonstrated his intelligence in the mountains. The 33-year-old Ecuadorian calculated the exact moment to launch his offensive on the final climb and took victory in the 18th stage of the Tour de France. Tadej Pogacar, meanwhile, arrived minutes later and easily maintained his wide lead in the overall standings.

It was Carapaz’s first victory in this edition and the second of his career in the French round. Pogacar did not try to chase him because the South American does not represent a threat to the general classification – he is in tenth.

“This is a wonderful victory. I dedicate it to my family,” said Carapaz, whose mother died earlier this year.

The attack occurred about 3 kilometers from the summit. Carapaz went alone, patted his head as he approached the finish line and crossed the line 45 seconds ahead of the Swiss Mauro Schmid and the American Matteo Jorgenson.

No changes at the top

Pogacar, who is seeking his fifth overall title and third in a row, arrived within a large group that included Remco Evenepoel and the Mexican Isaac Del Toro, the Slovenian’s teammate at the UAE Emirates. The classification did not move: Pogacar leads with 4:32 over Evenepoel and 6:51 over Del Toro, 22 years old, third.

The 185-kilometre stage included the early climb of the Côte d’Engins (category 1) and the final climb to the Orcières-Merlette station, also first class. Carapaz almost collided with a fan on the route, but dodged in time.

“The level of the breakaway was very high, but when I set a goal between my eyebrows I go for it. My running style is like that, aggressive. I don’t hold anything back,” said the Ecuadorian.

What’s coming: Alpine hell

Friday’s 19th stage ends with the legendary ascent of Alpe d’Huez, a special category, over 127.9 kilometers. The penultimate day on Saturday includes three special category climbs – Col de la Croix de Fer, Col du Galibier and Col de Sarenne – plus one first class. The Tour concludes on Sunday on the Champs Elysees in Paris.