Cycling: Colombian rider Victor Hugo Pena won the 11th stage of the Tour of Italy, a 42kilometre time-trial, yesterday. Italian Francesco Casagrande retained the overall leader's pink jersey though it was by the skin of his teeth as he came in 31st, more than three-and-a-half minutes down on Pena.
The 29-year-old Italian saw his lead reduced from 51 seconds to just four over compatriot Wladimir Belli while former winner Pavel Tonkov of Russia is third a further four seconds in arrears.
Pena (25) and the 1997 Colombian time-trial champion, was just one of three Vitalicio riders to finish in the first four. Ireland's Ciaran Power finished 135th, seven minutes 23 seconds behind the winner. Today is a rest day.
In the Tour of Japan, Morgan Fox completed the third stage in 31st place, 11 minutes 30 seconds behind the winner, Maurio Gianetti of Switzerland. The Athlone rider is 28th overall, at 11.30.
Drugs in sport: The head of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) medical commission has withdrawn his resignation after a personal plea from IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch yesterday.
Prince Alexandre de Merode, head of the commission for over 30 years, tendered his resignation two days ago. He has become increasingly upset over growing criticism from both within and outside the IOC about his handling of the commission. There have also been suspicions that there may have been cover-ups of positive tests.
He also was unhappy about the creation of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which has taken over much of the responsibility once held by the IOC medical commission.
The 66-year-old Belgian prince agreed to continue as chairman of the medical commission but he is likely to be replaced in 2001 when Samaranch stands down.
Motor racing: Italian drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Jarno Trulli escaped unhurt after a big collision in Formula One testing at the Valencia circuit in Spain yesterday.
Fisichella, who blamed Trulli for shunting him out of last Sunday's European Grand Prix at the first corner of the Nurburgring, twisted his thumb on the steering wheel but was otherwise unhurt.
Meanwhile, French car manufacturer Peugeot will not make a decision about their future sponsorship of Formula One until the French Grand Prix on July 2nd. The Peugeot-Prost contract expires at the end of the 2000 season.
Tennis: British Davis Cup player Luke Milligan heads the lineup for the ITF Futures series that begins at the Leinster LCC on Monday. Only Peter Clarke of the Ireland side earns a place by right in the main draw, but his Davis Cup team-mates, Scott Barron, Owen Casey and Sean Cooper together with Stephen Nugent, are guaranteed wild card entries.
It is on Barron's rejuvenated game that Irish hopes largely depend. The Dubliner has been taking significant steps up the world rankings with creditable success at equivalent events in Europe and beyond.
Tennis: Defending champions Australia romped to an easy win over Chile at the World Team Cup yesterday, edging closer to a spot in the tournament's final on Saturday. Pat Rafter came from behind to beat Chile's Nicolas Massu 4-6, 7-6, (7-4), 6-1. Lleyton Hewitt won against Marcelo Rios, who retired with an injury after falling behind 5-0 in the first set.
The $1.9 million clay court tournament, pitting the world's top eight tennis nations, is considered an important warm-up for next week's French Open.
