Giro d’Italia: Britain’s Mark Cavendish sprinted to victory on the 13th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday, but Spain’s Katusha rider Joaquim Rodriguez maintained the overall lead. Cavendish finished ahead of Norway’s Alexander Kristoff and Mark Renshaw, of Australia, for his third stage win of this year’s race. Today, the Giro heads for its first day in the mountains.
Ice Hockey: The head of international ice hockey’s ruling body rejected calls for a boycott of the 2014 World Championships, over claims of human rights violations by hosts Belarus. Rene Fasel said everyone in the organisation supported demo-cratic freedoms but there should be a clear separation between sport and politics. “We are convinced that it is not the task of sports organisations to act as politicians and try to do their job,” Fasel said, warning: “We should not be used as puppets for politicians or activists.”
Rugby Union: Rob and Dave Kearney are dreaming of joining the elite band of “Brothers in Arms” who have celebrated Euro glory fighting for the same cause. The Irish siblings are poised to team up for Leinster when the reigning champions do battle with Ulster in Twickenham today. Four sets of brothers have Euro Cup winners’ medals: Phi-lippe and Olivier Carbonneau (Toulouse, 1996), Jan and Bryn Cunningham (Ulster Rugby, 1999), Martin and Will Johnson (Lei-cester Tigers, 2001 and 2002) and Isitolo and Finau Maka (Tou-louse, 2005).
Cricket: Indian police said they had arrested Australian cricketer Luke Pomersbach for allegedly molesting a woman and beating up her fiance in a posh New Delhi hotel. The 27-year-old batsman, who has played for Australia’s Twenty20 side, is playing in the Indian Premier League for the Royal Challen-gers Bangalore team. The cricketer is accused of trying to molest a 27-year-old woman during a party at the upmarket Sheraton Hotel.
Basket, NBA: Tony Parker celebrated his 30th birthday by scoring 22 points to lead San Antonio over Los Angeles Clippers 105-88, stretching the Spurs’ win streak to 16 games in the championship. San Antonio took a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference second-round series, which continues this weekend in Los Angeles.
Volleyball: Hosts Japan are hoping home advantage in the final Olympic women’s qualifying tournament starting today will help them secure a berth at the 2012 Games as they bid to end a 28-year medal drought. Eight countries – Japan, Cuba, Peru, Russia, Serbia, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand – will play in the nine-day tournament in Tokyo, all chasing the final four of 12 spots in the Olympics.