those sharp movements and those explosive movements. Im just

MONTAUBAN, France -- Japanese cyclist Yukiya Arashiro felt right at home on the sizzling roads of the Midi-Pyrenees.So much so that he went on a 137-kilometer (85-mile) breakaway during Thursdays sixth stage of the Tour de France, the hottest leg thus far.As the peloton rode deep into the southwestern part of the country, the air temperature soared to 36 degrees (97 F) and the road was hotter still, melting in some places.I like (the heat) very much. When it reaches 40 degrees like today I love it, Arashiro said.Arashiro and Czech rider Jan Barta attacked at the 3-kilometer mark and established a lead of five minutes before getting caught by the main pack with 22 kilometers to go in the 190.5-kilometer (118-mile) leg from Arpajon-sur-Cere to Montauban.For his efforts, Arashiro was awarded the prize of most combative rider of the day, meaning he will have the honor of wearing a special red bib in Fridays stage concluding in the high Pyrenees.Arashiros first real season in Europe came in 2005 with the GSC Blagnac team located on the outskirts of Toulouse, near where Stage 6 was contested.I know people near Toulouse. Im happy to ride nearby with the red bib tomorrow, Arashiro said in French. But I will have to take it easy because I was in a breakaway for (137) kilometers today. My legs are going to hurt.Usually smiling, the 31-year-old Arashiro is one of the most friendly riders in the peloton. He often has his dog with him when he steps off the team bus in the morning, attracting even more followers.Many things crossed my mind when I was in the breakaway, to the people in Japan who watch the race live on TV, Arashiro said. I was happy to show them my jersey.Having joined the Lampre team for this season, Arashiro is racing in his sixth Tour de France. In 2009 he became the first Japanese rider to complete the Tour when he crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees ahead of compatriot Fumiyuki Beppu.The first two Japanese riders who started the Tour didnt finish: Kisso Kawamuro in 1926 and 1927 and Daisuke Imanaka in 1996.Arashiro broke his femur bone during a crash in the Tour of Qatar in February.I could not ride a bike for 40 days, he said. I did a lot of fitness in the gym, otherwise I would have lost all my muscles.Arashiro finished in the main pack four seconds behind stage winner Mark Cavendish. Hes in 137th position overall, more than a half hour behind leader Greg van Avermaet.It was hard in the end because the others rode fast in the chase, Arashiro said. But thats life.---AP Sports Writer Samuel Petrequin contributed to this report.---Andrew Dampf on Twitter: www.twitter.com/asdampf Minkah Fitzpatrick Womens Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Bob Griese Jersey . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Dan-Marino-Jersey/ . 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GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Arizona Cardinals rookie defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche practiced for the first time in training camp Monday but said he will take the rest of his comeback from a high ankle sprain day by day.His camp debut was limited to individual drills, but that could change this week leading up to Arizonas trip to Houston for Sundays preseason game on national TV.I could [play Sunday], said Nkemdiche, who injured his right ankle during a pre-training camp quarterback school July 26. Im just going to listen to the staff and take it day by day and see how I feel and go with how I feel.After Mondays practice, the 29th overall pick said he felt good and that he trusted his ankle. He said the soreness in the ankle has worn off considerably.Hopefully, throughout the days it calms down and gets better daily, he said.Nkemdiche added that his action Monday was exactly the amount of work he wanted just to get used to it and put pressure on it and get some pressure on it and keep going. He added that hes extremely close to being 100 percent healthy, and that the main effects of not playing on it for a few weeks was not having the mobilization hes accustomed to.While he continues to work to strengthen his ankle, Nkemdiche said his mental game now is his strongest aspect. But after missing more than four weeks of camp, Nkemdiche didnt feel like he was playing catch-up Monday.I didnt feeel like I was behind at all, Nkemdiche said.dddddddddddd Really, just the ankle itself and just really getting it back used to those sharp movements and those explosive movements. Im just taking it day by day and listening to [Cardinals trainer] Tom [Reed] and going with the flow.Coach Bruce Arians said he was looking forward to seeing Nkemdiches power and how fast the rookie could adjust and learn.The past few weeks were hard on Nkemdiche, the rookie said, as he watched his teammates get reps daily. But he learned to be calm and patient through his injury, a motto that was repeated by his veteran teammates, who told him to take his comeback slow so he doesnt aggravate the injury and cause a longer delay in his return.Nkemdiche feels he has plenty of time to get in the flow of the defense with Arizonas season opener just four weeks away, but hes anxious to get on the field. His role this season will be limited, Arians said. Nkemdiche is expected to play 20 to 25 snaps per game, Arians added.I cant wait, Nkemdiche said. Ive been itching for a couple weeks now and theyve been telling me to chill: These injuries are no joke, so just really be patient with it and the right time will come.So, I cant wait. Ive been itching to get out there. Still itching to hit. ' ' '