Stage 20 of the Tour de France wasn’t just another grueling mountain ride—it was a showcase of heart, guts, and pure human will. While the world watches the leaders fight for yellow, it was an unsung hero—Harry Sweeny—who stole the show, even if he didn’t win the stage.

After riding selflessly for nearly three weeks, helping his teammates survive the high Alps and shielding them from punishing winds, Harry Sweeny finally got the green light to chase glory for himself. And chase it he did.

The stage from Nantua to Pontarlier, stretching 184.2 km through the Jura Mountains, was anything but forgiving. Pouring rain, sharp climbs, and ruthless competition made Stage 20 feel more like a one-day Spring Classic than the penultimate day of the biggest race in cycling.

“I kept a cool head,” Sweeny told reporters, “and when the radio said go, I just went.”

Attacking over the Côte de Valfin, Sweeny joined a 12-man breakaway—one of the most competitive in the entire race. He waited for his moment, knowing full well the sprinters in the group would make life difficult later. Then, with just over 50 km to go, he made his move.

A fellow rider attacked on a small rise, and Harry saw his chance. “I reckoned we could work together,” he said. But when he bridged the gap, he realized the other rider was fading. So, Sweeny pushed on—alone, in the rain, for nearly 30 km, with nothing but grit in his legs and the peloton breathing down his neck.

It was brave. It was bold. It was beautiful cycling.
But it wasn’t enough.

As he reached the base of the Côte de Longeville, the chasers reeled him in. He got dropped over the summit, fought back on the descent, and clawed his way into the main break again. The win, however, had already slipped up the road.

In the final sprint, Harry Sweeny crossed the line in 10th place—a respectable but heartbreaking finish for a rider who gave everything.

“I’m pretty disappointed,” he admitted. “But still motivated for more. I’m going to have a big dinner tonight.”

The emotion wasn’t lost on his teammates or his sports director, Andreas Klier, who praised the entire squad’s spirit: “He went when he saw a moment, and there was no way back. It’s not PlayStation. What Harry did was a brilliant ride.”

And Sweeny wasn’t alone in his pain.

Ben Healy, another teammate, described the day as “ballistic.” Everyone wanted to be in the break, he said, calling it the “last opportunity.”

Even Neilson Powless felt the toll: “Wet roads, always on the pedals… it was nice to hear Harry was up there. That was motivating.”

Despite not clinching the stage, there’s a strange sense of triumph in what Sweeny achieved. In a race often dominated by stats, watts, and team tactics, Stage 20 was pure emotion—a man fighting the elements, the road, and himself.

Sweeny’s takeaway?

“I love the Tour de France. Even when you’re suffering and having the worst day of your life, riding at the front and feeling the fans… there’s nothing better.”

As the team looks to Paris and the grand finale on the Champs-Élysées, one thing is certain: Harry Sweeny may not have a stage win, but he has something far more important—the respect of the peloton and the love of the fans.

And maybe, just maybe, a bottle of champagne with Kaden Groves in Paris.
Even without a podium, Sweeny’s performance was one of the most inspiring moments of this year’s Tour. His relentless spirit reminded fans why they fell in love with cycling in the first place. Stage 20 wasn’t about the win—it was about heart, hustle, and heroism.
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In a nail-biting showdown at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Collingwood Football

Club silenced critics and snapped a two-game losing streak with a commanding 93-67 win over arch-rivals Richmond Football Club in AFL Round 20. What started as a day full of unexpected scratches turned into a story of redemption, resilience, and strategic brilliance — all under the intense AFL spotlight.

The lead-up to the match was already buzzing with tension as Scott Pendlebury, the legendary former Collingwood captain, was ruled out in a last-minute change. Pendlebury’s absence due to soreness sent shockwaves through the Magpies’ fanbase. His replacement, Oleg Markov (Wikipedia), stepped into the role of substitute, while Luke Trainor was named Richmond’s sub.

But that wasn’t the only curveball.

Just 15 minutes before the first bounce, Richmond was forced to pull out their midfield maestro Tim Taranto (Wikipedia). Taranto experienced tightness in his calf during warm-ups, an “unusual one,” according to Tigers head coach Adem Yze (LinkedIn). Speaking to Fox Footy, Yze shared, “We wanted to give him until the last minute… we’d be kicking ourselves if he did something today.”

Taranto’s sudden withdrawal prompted Jasper Alger to step up as the substitute, with Luke Trainor now taking an on-field role — a development that seemed to throw Richmond’s rhythm off from the start.

A Familiar Rivalry Reignites

There’s no denying the fierce energy whenever Richmond and Collingwood clash at the MCG. This historic venue has hosted several epic encounters between these two Victorian powerhouses. Their previous five matchups provide the perfect backdrop for this high-stakes game:

• Round 20, 2024: Collingwood 14.9 (93) def. Richmond 9.13 (67)
• Round 3, 2023: Collingwood 8.15 (63) def. Richmond 7.7 (49)
• Round 8, 2022: Richmond 17.11 (113) def. Collingwood 12.14 (86)
• Round 17, 2021: Collingwood 13.9 (87) def. Richmond 11.5 (71)
• Round 2, 2020: Collingwood 5.6 (36) drew with Richmond 5.6 (36)

The Round 20 victory for Collingwood not only adds another win to their tally but also reshapes the finals race as we approach the tail-end of the AFL home-and-away season.

Who Stepped Up for Collingwood?

With Pendlebury absent, many eyes turned toward Nick Daicos (Wikipedia) and Jordan De Goey (Wikipedia) to lead the charge. And deliver they did.

Daicos dominated the midfield, racking up contested possessions and applying pressure in every clearance. Meanwhile, De Goey showcased his brilliance with three game-changing goals and several crucial inside 50s.

Mason Cox (Wikipedia), Collingwood’s American-born ruck-forward, also delivered a performance to remember, scoring a major and dominating aerial contests.

Richmond’s Faltering Midfield

While Dustin Martin (Wikipedia) showed sparks of brilliance, the absence of Taranto left a gaping hole in the Tigers’ engine room. Martin tried to carry the midfield load alongside Shai Bolton (Wikipedia), but the synergy just wasn’t there.

The Tigers found themselves scrambling for structure as Collingwood capitalized on turnovers, forcing Richmond to defend deeper than they would’ve liked.

Tactical Brilliance from Craig McRae

Collingwood coach Craig McRae (LinkedIn) deserves credit for the way he shuffled his side after the last-minute change. By using Jack Crisp and Josh Daicos in more central roles, McRae ensured midfield dominance throughout the four quarters.

His post-match comments summed it up: “Sometimes these setbacks just force you to think differently — and that worked in our favor tonight.”

The Road Ahead

With just four rounds left before finals, every match counts. Collingwood will next face Carlton Football Club (Wikipedia) in what could be another blockbuster. Richmond, on the other hand, needs to regroup and regain momentum before they risk slipping further from finals contention.

As injuries and form fluctuations shake the ladder, Round 20 was a clear message: Never underestimate the power of adaptability in the AFL.

Final Score:
Collingwood 14.9 (93)
Richmond 9.13 (67)

Next Matches:

• Collingwood vs Carlton
• Richmond vs Sydney Swans (Wikipedia)

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Round 21 of the NRL brought double drama this Sunday as the Canberra Raiders clashed with the injury-plagued Newcastle Knights, followed by a nostalgic blockbuster between the Canterbury Bulldogs and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at the Sydney Football Stadium.

While Canberra aimed to cement their top-four standing, the Knights — missing key playmakers — had to dig deep just to stay competitive. In the second fixture of the day, the emotional weight of the 1995 grand final rematch was impossible to ignore, especially with both fanbases still carrying grudges from one of the fiercest eras in rugby league history.

Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights: Raiders survive late scare in gritty win

Canberra Raiders came into the clash needing a confident display. After weeks of shaky performances, fans were hungry for a statement game. They got it—well, almost. The Raiders were dominant early, but Newcastle, despite a depleted lineup, made it uncomfortable.

Matt Timoko, who bombed a sure try last week, redeemed himself with a spectacular opening try, breaking two tackles and diving over the line in the 6th minute. The 24-year-old centre had been tipped by NRL pundit Nick Campton as a likely first tryscorer — and he delivered.

“He’s due one,” Campton said. “And after how he bombed a shocker last week, he’ll be keen to get over.”

The Raiders went into halftime leading 14–6, with Jack Wighton and Hudson Young linking beautifully in midfield. The Knights, missing Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best, and Daniel Saifiti, struggled to find attacking rhythm. However, Tyson Gamble, elevated to the starting halves, brought energy and direction.

The final quarter of the match saw the Knights rally behind a gritty effort from Greg Marzhew, who crashed over in the corner. But it was too little, too late. Raiders held on for a 22–16 victory.

Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles: 30 Years On, Tensions Still Burn

Later in the afternoon, all eyes turned to Sydney Football Stadium, where the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles met in a commemorative match — 30 years after the infamous 1995 grand final, which the Bulldogs won in dramatic fashion.

Though no trophies were at stake today, the rivalry was just as fierce.

In the lead-up, Josh Addo-Carr declared, “It’s more than just a game for us — it’s a legacy.” The atmosphere reflected his sentiment. A crowd of 30,000+ turned out, many wearing vintage jerseys, reliving memories of the ’95 grudge match.

The Sea Eagles, led by Daly Cherry-Evans, started strong, scoring twice in the first 20 minutes, with Jason Saab slicing through the defense on both occasions. Tom Trbojevic, still nursing a hamstring issue, did not feature, placing added pressure on the rest of the squad.

But the Bulldogs weren’t there to be outdone. Reed Mahoney orchestrated a sharp attack, setting up a try for Jacob Kiraz, and slotting in a 40/20 that turned momentum.

The game turned chaotic in the 68th minute when a high tackle from Manly’s Taniela Paseka sparked a full team scuffle. Both teams were warned, but no one was sent off.

Final whistle? A thrilling 18–18 draw, fitting for a fixture rooted in history.

Key Talking Points from NRL Round 21 Sunday

• Matt Timoko’s resurgence: After weeks of criticism, the young Raider responded in style and looks set to play a pivotal role in the run home.
• Newcastle’s resilience: Despite missing major players, they nearly pulled off a miracle. Their depth and spirit impressed even in defeat.
• Emotions still raw from 1995: The Bulldogs vs Sea Eagles match proved the old wounds haven’t healed. Both sides brought passion that ignited fans online and in the stadium.

What’s Next in NRL?

Next week, the Melbourne Storm face South Sydney Rabbitohs in what could be a finals preview, while the Brisbane Broncos try to bounce back after last week’s shock loss.

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