Quaranta speeds to second victory

Italy's Ivan Quaranta, riding for Mobilvetta, beat off some of cycling's top speed merchants to win the 125km 11th stage of the Tour of Italy through the streets of Cesenatico yesterday. The 24-year-old Quaranta, a former junior sprint champion, edged out compatriot Marco Cipollini and the Czech Republic's Jan Svorada to follow up his victory in the opening stage in Sicily. France's Laurent Jalabert, with ONCE, maintained possession of the overall leader's pink jersey.

Cycling: After a promising start it was a bad day for the Irish in the British Prutour yesterday, Ciaran Power being best in 42nd place. He is now in 40th overall. Stage three of 106 miles from Winchester to Bristol was won by Benoit Joachim, who is from Luxembourg but rides with the US Postal Services team, and he took over the lead from Leon van Bon who dropped to 19th at 3:34.

Power was four minutes and 16 seconds down, Padraic Quinn was another eight minutes behind with Micheal Fitzgerald at 19:24 and Michael McNena last of the survivors in 92nd at 50:49. Les McKay and Paul Butler were outside the time limit at 55 minutes and were eliminated.

Stage three (106 miles from Winchester to Bristol): 1, B Joachim (US Postal services) 4:16:36; 2, D McKenzie (Linda McCartney) at 14 secs; 3, M Puguoli (Amore Vita) 16. Irish placings: 42, C Power at 4:16; 82, P Quinn 12:06; 84, M Fitzgerald 19:24; 92, M McNena 50:49. L McKay and P Butler eliminated. Overall: 1, Joachim 10:35:13; 2, M Wauters (Rabobank) at 13 secs; 3, McKenzie 42. 40, Power at 5:01; 80, Quinn 13:35; 83, Fitzgerald 21:10; 92, McNena 51:43.

Tennis: The Portuguese satellite circuit is proving a tough assignment for Ireland's Fed Cup player Gina Niland. The Limerick woman suffered two bad results during the first couple of weeks and a further defeat this week in the qualifiers leaves Kelly Liggan and Yvonne Doyle as Ireland's only representatives at Guimaraes.

Liggan's feat in reaching last week's final was the highlight for the Irish party so far and allowed her to jump the this week's qualifiers. However, she faces a strong opponent in Italian Geona Scartam in the main draw today.