In Brief: Alaphilippe wins Tour of California

CYCLING: It took Julian Alaphilippe just a bit longer than he hoped to top the podium at the Tour of California.

The French cyclist, who lost his lead on the final stage a year ago and finished second overall, managed to hang onto it Sunday. Alaphilippe finished safely in the main field in Stage 8 to hold off Rohan Dennis of Australia and American veteran Brent Bookwalter for one of the biggest wins of his career.

Mark Cavendish won the flat, fast stage over Peter Sagan in a sprint finish in Sacramento.

In the women’s race, Dutch star Kirsten Wild beat Lisa Brennauer of Germany and compatriot Marianne Vos at the finish of a 43-mile criterium, while Megan Guarnier held off Kristin Armstrong to win the overall. Guarnier, the world bronze medalist, finished 17 seconds ahead of Armstrong in the overall race, while Evelyn Stevens made it an American podium sweep.

Dennis finished 21 seconds back in second place for the second time in three years, while Bookwalter was another 22 seconds adrift.

Kruijswijk opens lead: Dutch rider Steven Kruijswijk had a strong performance in a mountain time trial and opened up a potentially decisive lead in the Giro d’Italia on Sunday.

Pre-race favorite Vincenzo Nibali struggled and had to deal with a dropped chain and spectators blocking his path.

Alexander Foliforov won the 15th stage, an 11-kilometer entirely uphill leg from Castelrotto to Alpe di Siusi, in 28:39.

Overall, Kruijswijk leads Esteban Chaves by 2:12, with Nibali third, 2:51 behind.

Timbers beat rival Whitecaps 4-2

SOCCER: Diego Valeri scored on a penalty kick in the opening minutes and the Timbers rolled to a 4-2 victory over the Cascadia Cup rival Vancouver in Portland.

The Timbers snapped a three-game losing streak. The Whitecaps had won three.

U.S. tops Puerto Rico: Paul Arriola had a goal and an assist in his national team debut, Tim Ream and Bobby Wood also scored, and the United States started its Copa America preparations with a 3-1 exhibition win in Puerto Rico.

Jones suspended, Casey fined by NBA

MISCELLANY: Cleveland’s Dahntay Jones has been suspended for one game by the NBA for striking Toronto’s Bismack Biyombo in the groin.

The league also fined Raptors coach Dwane Casey $25,000 for his criticisms of the officiating in Game 3, won by Toronto.

Blues go with Allen: The St. Louis Blues are sticking with goalie Jake Allen in Game 5 of their NHL series against San Jose.

Champ wins again: World champion Jorge Lorenzo passed fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez on the final straight of the Italian Grand Prix in Scarperia to win a MotoGP race.

Marquez passed Lorenzo briefly on the final corner but Lorenzo pushed his Movistar Yamaha ahead once the road became straight again and won by just 0.019 seconds.

Jags sign top pick: Jacksonville rookie cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft, has signed a four-year contract.

Former Brown dies: Tom DeLeone, the tough-nosed center who made two Pro Bowls during 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, has died at 65.