But first: The Backstreet Boys made Luka Dončić’s dream come true
EDITOR’S NOTE
Last weekend, I finally caved to my husband’s wish to watch the movie F1. Honestly, I loved it — and not just because of Brad Pitt. I realize I’m late to the party, but I’m officially deep down the rabbit hole on all things Formula 1, WAGs included. Aside from that, I am absolutely thrilled to hear that Norts (you know, the colorful Nike shorts from high school) are making a comeback — at least according to one TikToker, which is all the proof I need. And in other good news, someone’s finally been arrested for allegedly throwing a sex toy during a WNBA game, a story I never thought I’d have to follow for updates (and yes, there have been more incidents). Now, let’s get to some other sports highlights…
— Maria Corpus / Editor / Madison, WI
Let's Discuss
What to look out for in our latest episode.
Tour de Change? Women Cyclists Speak Out About Pressures in Sport
What's going on: Over nine days, 154 women cyclists hit the road for the Tour de France Femmes — a 726-mile race complete with hills and mountains (nope, this isn’t like your Peloton ride). But as they chased the yellow jersey, the sport faces a reckoning over how it impacts riders’ health. French cyclist Cédrine Kerbaol put it this way: cycling is in a “dangerous moment” as riders face pressure to underfuel and lose weight for races, potentially leading to menstrual disorders, osteoporosis, and fatigue. This year’s winner, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, spoke out after critics said she lost too much weight in order to compete. While she defended her training, she added: “I don’t want to stay like this — I know it’s not 100% healthy.”
Our take: Some cyclists hope to change the narrative surrounding weight and performance. Demi Vollering, who placed second in the Tour de France Femmes, said she wants future cyclists to know “that you can just believe that if you have the power and that you train hard, that you can make it.” Other riders shared similar messages on the IG account @f.e.e.d_powr (Fueling for Endurance, Energy, and Durability) to raise awareness. Kerbaol, who spearheaded the account, says it’s starting “to break the taboo” and could help prevent more women from putting their health at risk.
