Mark Cavendish clinches his second Tour of Qatar triumph while the opening ceremony marks the beginning of the Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games.
Mark Cavendish claims he was a reluctant recipient of the golden jersey at this year's Tour of Qatar, insisting his Dimension Data teammate Edvald Boasson Hagen deserved to take top spot on the podium.
Previously a winner in 2013, Cavendish picked up his second overall victory in Qatar with a five-second triumph over Alexander Kristoff.
The 30-year-old was in fact narrowly edged out in a sprint finish in Friday's fifth stage by Kristoff but was able to hold on to the golden jersey overall.
However his thoughts were for Boasson Hagen, who had been leading before suffering two punctures on the penultimate stage on Thursday.
"We're just happy to have the gold jersey, but of course the gold jersey should be on the shoulders of Edvald if he didn't have the bad luck yesterday. He should really have had it, so I feel bad for him," Cavendish said.
"But we're happy that Dimension Data's got it anyway: we put ourselves in the front positions and controlled the race. We're super happy with how we've done and we've shown we deserve to step up to WorldTour.”
The Lillehammer 2016 Youth Olympic Games are officially open after last night’s spectacular opening ceremony at the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena.
Bobsleigh pilot George Johnston had the honour of carrying the union flag into the arena in front of 13,000 spectators including his 15 Team GB teammates.
The ceremony officially begins ten days of winter sport action which will see around 1,100 athletes from 71 nations compete across 15 disciplines. Read more here.
Team GB’s curlers were actually in action before the official opening of the Games as they took on South Korea in their opening fixture of the mixed team event.
Led by skip Ross Whyte, Team GB were in control from first stone to last and got their Games off to the perfect start, eventually running out 9-2 winners.
“It’s great to get off to a good start. We always thought it would be a tough first game so we’re pleased to get that win on the board,” said team member Callum Kinnear. Read more here.
Great Britain hockey women fell just short as they lost to Australia 4-3 in the first of a six-match series.
With the teams drawn in the same pool for the Rio Olympics this summer as well as being scheduled to meet again before that at the Champions Trophy in London, the series will be valuable preparation for both.
Hosts Australia were 4-2 up with 20 minutes to play before Sophie Bray pulled a goal back for Great Britain, who had earlier scored through Hannah Macleod and Ellie Watton, but further goals were not forthcoming.
With the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang slowly coming into focus on the horizon, Great Britain bobsleigh performance director Gary Anderson remains more confident than ever that his bobsleigh athletes are narrowing the gap to their rivals.
Speaking ahead of the World Championships which got underway yesterday with Mica McNeill and Natalie DeRatt placing 11th at the halfway stage of the women's bobsleigh, he said: “We’ve been so close for the last three years to a medal that I believe it’s a matter of time.
“It’s all about a process for 2018 and we know where we need to be and the World Championships in Austria is going to be very tough.
“We know that, but equally other nations are going to say it’s very tough as well because the Brits are on their game.” Read more here.
Gymnast Kelly Simm is under no illusions as to how tough it will be to gain selection for Great Britain at this summer's Olympic Games but a recent trip to Rio has made sure to whet her appetite for the fight ahead.
The 20-year-old recently spent eight days in Brazil visiting the Olympic training venues and acclimatising with other British gymnasts.
They are all teammates for now but they will be battling against one another in the run-up to the Games with only five places up for grabs in the women's team.
"It's going to be tough. Whoever is fittest and looking the best in competitions and in-house trials will go," she said.
"The final decision probably won't be made until about a week before we go.
"Going out there definitely make you want to come back and makes you work harder. We looked round the Olympic village and it gives you a taste of what it will be like.”
Beth Tweddle continues to make a solid recovery following neck surgery to fuse her fractured vertebrae together.
The retired gymnast suffered the injury while in training for television programme The Jump but has since been able to walk by herself.
“I’ve started to feel a lot better in the past 24 hours and I’ve begun walking by myself,” she said.
“It’s still a case of taking one day at a time, but I’m setting myself goals and I’m determined to be up and about as soon as I can.
“The doctors are happy with my progress and next week we will have a better idea of when I can be discharged from hospital.
"Thank you to everyone that has sent me get well messages.
“My Mum and Dad have been reading them to me and, one day, I’ll be able to reply to you all, it really has meant a lot to me, so thank you.”
Sportsbeat 2016