Sports Digest

A round-up of other sports news in brief

Bolt targets another big performance in Toronto

ATHLETICS: Usain Bolt will revert to the 100 metres in Toronto next month following his blistering performance at the recent Bupa Manchester 150m street sprint.

Reigning Olympic 100m champion and world record holder Bolt was forced to miss his outdoor track debut at the Jamaican Invitational meeting in Kingston at the beginning of May through injury, but will compete at the Festival of Excellence meet on June 11th.

The 22-year-old, who showed he had recovered from injuries he sustained in a car crash in April by posting the fastest time ever in Manchester, will compete against a class field in Toronto.

The 2004 Olympic 200m gold medallist Shawn Crawford, who finished runner-up to Bolt over the same distance in last summer's Beijing Games, heads the formidable opposition.

Crawford will be joined by fellow Americans Bernard Williams and Ivory Williams along with Bolt's countrymen Marvin Anderson and Mario Forsythe.

Pellizotti moves into contention

CYCLING: Franco Pellizotti moved up to third place overall after holding off a number of top riders and winning the 17th stage of the Giro dItalia yesterday.

The Italian Liquigas rider triumphed on the short 83 kms mountainous route from Chieti, in the Abruzzo region hit by a major earthquake last month, in two hours 21 minutes and six seconds with Stefano Garzelli 42 seconds behind. Russia’s Denis Menchov of the Rabobank team retained the leader’s pink jersey after finishing fourth, although his overall advantage has been cut to 26 seconds after Danilo Di Luca came in third.

LPR’s Di Luca, the 2007 winner and early race leader, was especially keen to do well on the stage as it took place in his home region.

Taylor turns fire on Ireland

CRICKET: Ross Taylor unleashed the fireworks on Ireland yesterday as he hit 74 from just 36 balls to help New Zealand claim a seven-wicket victory in a Twenty20 World Cup warm-up game at the County Ground in Derby, writes Emmet Riordan.

Taylor was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore side that lost in the final of the Indian Premier League on Sunday and he took that frustration out in some fashion as a full-strength Black Caps side chased down their target of 153 with three overs to spare.

Taylor, who shared a partnership of 103 in 65 balls with Martin Guptill, finally went, holing out to John Mooney at deep mid-wicket off the bowling of Alex Cusack as he went for the ninth six of his innings.

There were some positives for Ireland coach Phil Simmons, who handed a debut to Civil Service North all-rounder Nigel Jones.

The opening partnership of Jeremy Bray and Paul Stirling put on 70 off 51 balls, while Andre Botha returned to the side after injury.

Wilkinson fit for challenge

RUGBY: Jonny Wilkinson says he feels as fit as a 20-year-old and has pledged to be back at his best when he resumes playing with French club Toulon next season. The England flyhalf will join Toulon on a two-year-deal after undergoing detailed medical checks to prove his fitness to the French club.

I celebrated my 30th birthday two days ago but I feel like I am 20, Wilkinson said at the Maillol stadium, Toulon yesterday.

Williams suspended by FOTA

MOTOR SPORT: Williams were suspended from the Formula One Teams Association yesterday for entering the 2010 championship and breaking what had been a united front in a standoff with the governing body.

The former champions are the only current team to have formally submitted an entry, with champions Ferrari and others threatening to leave the sport unless the 2010 rules are rewritten.

“Following Monday’s confirmation that the team has submitted its formal entry . . . the Formula One Teams Association has today decided temporarily to suspend Williams F1 from membership of FOTA,” the association said.

“FOTA’s decision, although regrettable, is understandable,” added team owner Frank Williams.

However, as a racing team and a company whose only business is Formula One . . . submitting our entry to next years Championship was unquestionable.”

Starter's orders to be heard by all

RACING: From this Monday the starter at all National Hunt races will be able to use a loudspeaker, writes Brian O'Connor.

The Turf Club yesterday confirmed the plan which allows starters to communicate with jockeys through a radio controlled microphone.

The new system was trialled at both the Fairyhouse and Punchestown festivals and will be available to starting officials from June 1st. It is transferable from track to track.

“Jockeys used to be brought in after races for something and they would sometimes say they weren’t able to hear the starter. This allows them hear the starter and it doesn’t upset the horses,” a Turf Club spokesman said yesterday.

There will be a noon inspection at Listowel today ahead of a three day session at the Co Kerry track that is due to start on Saturday.