Author: sportsnewsuk

Overnight leader Elisa Balsamo strengthened her position at the top of the women’s Giro d’Italia standings by winning the second stage with a perfectly timed sprint in Caorle.Balsamo, 28, was handed a win in Saturday’s opening stage after Lorena Wiebes was disqualified for a bike weight violation, just hours after crossing the line first.Italian Balsamo then headed off Irish rider Lara Gillespie and compatriot Chaira Consonni at the end of Sunday’s 156km stage just outside Venice to keep the pink jersey.It was the same three riders at the top of the podium as on Saturday, with Balsamo peeling out for…

(Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing) “Whoever Jason wants,” smiled Rico Verhoeven. “He’s like the new Eddie Hearn.” The Dutchman was talking about his movie star friend Jason Statham, who was so influential in landing Verhoeven’s fight at the Pyramids in Egypt against Oleksandr Usyk a week ago. Verhoeven pushed Usyk hard until the stoppage came with a second left in the 11th round after it appeared a huge shock could be possible. This week, Verhoeven, one of the great kickboxers of all time who had fought just once – 12 years ago – as a professional boxer before challenging for the world…

MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi fought through to beat Aprilia team-mate Jorge Martin and win the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.Bezzecchi won the opening three rounds of the year and returned to the top step in race seven to open up a 17-point lead over Martin in the standings.The 27-year-old celebrated at the finish with fellow Italian and Formula 1 championship leader Kimi Antonelli.Manufacturer Aprilia had never won their home race in the premier class but took an emotional one-two finish as Italian bikes dominated.Spanish rider Martin, the 2024 championship winner, set a MotoGP speed record on Friday when his…

Great Britain celebrated double gold medal success at the season-opening World Rowing Cup I event in Seville.The men’s four secured a dominant victory by 5.22 seconds from France, who took second place, with the Netherlands in third.The women’s singles sculls was then won by Lauren Henry, who beat Lithuania’s Viktorija Senkute in a photo finish by 0.14 seconds.Ireland’s Fiona Murtagh, who beat Henry by just 0.03 seconds at the World Rowing Championships in Shanghai last year, finished with the bronze medal.”It was a good race. I think my first half was maybe a bit sluggish; I’m not sure I got…

Tris Dixon covered his first amateur boxing fight in 1996. The former editor of Boxing News, he has written for a number of international publications and newspapers, including GQ and Men’s Health, and is a board member for the Ringside Charitable Trust and the Ring of Brotherhood. He has been a broadcaster for TNT Sports and hosts the popular “Boxing Life Stories” podcast. Dixon is a British Boxing Hall of Famer, an International Boxing Hall of Fame elector, a BWAA award winner, and is the author of five boxing books, including “Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Trauma in Boxing”…

Last year, American world number five Jessica Pegula said she felt like she was “hitting her head against the wall” over the subject, while two-time Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur questioned whether the people making the decision “have daughters”.Since 2023, questions have been raised about whether the French Open should do more to showcase the women’s game.The lack of action prompted recently appointed WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo to seek answers from French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo – a former women’s world number one – when they met at Roland Garros this week.In what the WTA describes as an open…

GAME 1  Joe Hayes and Owen Smith added 71 for the first wicket in 42 balls with Hayes facing only 12 of them. Smith had completed a half century in 29 balls but was caught at extra cover next ball to give former YCCC player Josh Hen-Boisen a wicket. Harry Duke made 19 from 16 before being caught at short third man and Hayes also completed a half century from 43 balls before being caught at long off for 57. Yorkshire totalled 162-5 but in the last 10 overs hit only 3 fours and a six. The University were reduced…

Wilkinson was appointed Wales boss in February 2024, following Gemma Grainger’s surprise resignation.The former Canada international enjoyed instant success, guiding the land of her mother to Euro 2025, the first women’s major tournament in the nation’s history.Wales are now in contention for a Women’s World Cup debut, though there is much work to do with up to three play-off rounds to come after the group stage concludes next month.Former Wales captain and coach Kath Morgan suggested after Wilkinson’s new deal was agreed that her reign would “be judged on qualification”.Wilkinson, however, sees things differently.She acknowledges that reaching at least one…

Football season is approaching as SEC Media Days are already on the horizon. With plenty of change coming to the sport, and the SEC looking to stay at the forefront, it appears a major scheduling change will be coming next season for the conference.So long “cupcake weekend” and hello SEC conference games in one of the final weeks. This comes directly from SEC commissioner Greg Sankey on the change that is coming.With most SEC schools participating in Rivalry Week, many have used that second-to-last game as a chance to get one more fluff win in before heading off to face…

Jeremy Sochan played for both the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks this season and is expected to get a championship ring no matter who wins the 2026 NBA Finals. New York Knicks forward Jeremy Sochan is already set to receive a 2026 NBA championship ring before the Finals even begin. Jeremy Sochan MIN: 10.02 PTS: 3.67 (55.81%) REB: 2.29 AS: 0.84 ST: 0.37 BL: 0.16 TO: 0.45 GM: 49 Regardless of whether the Knicks or the San Antonio Spurs win the series, Sochan is expected to receive the reward. Typically, NBA championship rings are awarded not only to…