MotoGP: Aleix Espargaro conjured up record pace in practice ahead of the TT Assen to even put MotoGP champion Marc Marquez in the shade. After brother Pol led the way at the end of the first session on his Tech3 Yamaha, Aleix then produced the fastest lap witnessed at ‘The Cathedral’ of bike racing. On his Forward Yamaha, the elder Espargaro set a lap of one minute 33.653secs, just 0.060secs quicker than double world champion Casey Stoner’s previous best mark set in 2012. Marquez had to settle for second quickest behind Espargaro, just over two tenths of a second off the pace.

Cycling: A bout of bronchitis has ruled defending champion Mark Cavendish out of this weekend's British National Road Championship. His team, Omega Pharma Quick-Step Cycling, said the 29-year-old will not race and will concentrate on getting fit for next month’s Tour de France. “The current British champion is busy with a bout of bronchitis that began during the last stages of the Tour de Suisse,” said a team statement. “As a precautionary measure Mark will not participate on Sunday.”

Snooker: Defending champion Neil Robertson wasted little time in booking his place in the quarter-finals of the Wuxi Classic in China. The Australian raced to a 5-1 victory over Michael Holt to set up a last-eight clash with another Englishman, Shaun Murphy. Murphy secured his place with a 5-2 third-round win over 17-year-old Chinese player Zhao Xintong despite his highest run amounting to only 45. Liang Wenbo, who dispensed with world champion Mark Selby in round two, was beaten 5-2 by Joe Perry.