CYCLING: Rolland wins grueling stage

Pierre Rolland of France won the hardest Alpine stage in the Tour de France yesterday, and Bradley Wiggins dusted defending champion Cadel Evans in the final climb to extend his overall lead.

Rolland won by 55 seconds, ahead of Thibaut Pinot of France and Christopher Froome of Britain. Wiggins was another two seconds slower.

In a letter to federal authorities, Rep. James Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin equates the anti-doping charges against Lance Armstrong to a conspiracy theory and calls the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s authority over the seven-time Tour de France winner “strained at best.”

NBA: 76ers use amnesty to lose Brand

The 76ers used the amnesty clause on veteran forward Elton Brand and will get about $18 million in salary cap relief for next season.

The Bobcats agreed to a two-year contract with former Lakers point guard Ramon Sessions.

Thunder center Kendrick Perkins is expected to be ready for next season after having surgery on his right groin. He will be out 4-6 weeks.

The Rockets used the amnesty clause on Luis Scola, according to Yahoo! Sports. Scola has three years and $21 million left on his contract. The move was thought to be made to clear more room for a potential deal for Dwight Howard.

MLB: Encarnacion gets 3-year extension

Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion, enjoying a breakout performance at the plate, signed a three-year, $27 million contract that begins next season. There is a $10 million club option for 2016.

Investigators say there is not enough evidence to arrest Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval for an alleged sexual assault at a hotel near Santa Cruz.

The Rangers’ contract with Dominican Jairo Beras has been approved by MLB, which has suspended the 17-year-old outfielder for providing a false date of birth.

soccer: Barclays, EPL agree on terms

Barclays agreed to pay almost 50 percent more to renew its title sponsorship of the English Premier League, while the bank is embroiled in an international rate-fixing scandal. The league will receive $185 million over three years from the 2013-14 season, an increase from the $135 million under the current terms.

Chelsea captain John Terry is set to discover if he will become the first top footballer in Britain to be convicted of racially abusing an opponent during a match when the verdict in his racism trial is announced today.

ETC.: Selanne signs for 20th NHL season

Teemu Selanne is returning to the Ducks for his 20th NHL season. The 42-year-old Selanne has agreed to a one-year, $4.5 million deal.

According to a report, Terrell Owens is in more hot water over his late child support payments. Owens, who is $20,000 behind in his payments, might face jail time, according to a report posted on an Atlanta TV station’s website.

Uniforms for U.S. Olympic athletes are American red, white and blue — but were made in China.