Other sport

Italian Ricardo Ricco will take part in the Tour de France as a replacement for the ill Jose Angel Gomez Marchante, his Saunier-Duval team said yesterday. The 24-year-old Ricco finished second in the Giro d'Italia last month and will be one of the favourites for the polka dot jersey awarded to the best climber of the world's greatest stage race. It will be Ricco's second appearance on the Tour, two years after he finished 98th overall on his debut.

Basket, NBA

Denver Nuggets have suspended forward Carmelo Anthony for the first two games of the 2008-09 season following his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the team said. Anthony was arrested on April 14 and is scheduled to appear in court in Denver today. Nuggets vice-president Mark Warkentien said the Nuggets would continue to support Carmelo and would handle the matter internally.