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CYCLING • The manager of Chris Froome's team promises that his star rider will never again be left exposed in his bid to win the Tour de France. Froome kept the yellow jersey on a ferociously tough mountain stage Sunday. The British rider will wear it when the race resumes Tuesday with Stage 10 following Monday's rest day.

That Froome had to defend the jersey alone in the ninth stage — because all his Sky teammates had been left behind — offers hope to rivals like two-time champion Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck

"We've learned some lessons, valuable lessons, to take into the rest of the race," Sky manager Dave Brailsford said Monday.

Tuesday's stage is a 122-mile route from Saint-Gildas-des-Bois to Saint-Malo and is made for sprinters.

Judge tells league, retirees to talk

NFL • The NFL and former players must try to negotiate a dispute over whether complaints about concussion-related injuries belong in court or in arbitration, a federal judge said Monday. U.S. District Judge Anita B. Brody of Philadelphia had planned to rule July 22 in a legal fight that involves about 4,200 former players and could be worth billions of dollars. But instead she ordered the two sides to begin mediation with retired federal Judge Layn Phillips. The retirees want the right to sue the league, while the NFL insists the claims must be arbitrated under terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Brody asked for a progress report by Sept. 3, while placing a gag order on the lawyers.

• New York Giants receiver Victor Cruz signed a five-year contract extension that runs through the 2018 season. The new deal is worth $43 million, according to media reports.

• Former New York Giants and Detroit Lions linebacker Barrett Green is suing the Washington Redskins, saying his career-ending knee injury resulted from a bounty program in which the team's coaches encouraged players to intentionally injure opponents. The lawsuit also names former Redskins player Robert Royal, the player who hit Green, and former assistant coach Gregg Williams.

From wire reports