Sports Digest: MOTOR SPORTThe 11th stage of the Dakar Rally offered competitors a well-deserved break from timed action, meaning Mitsubishi's Stephane Peterhansel retains his lead at the head of the standings with just four stages left to run.
A leisurely 280km connection between Nema and Ayoun was all that was demanded of the remaining competitors.
Today's stage is in Mali, a 484km run between Ayoun and Kayes, which features a 257km timed special.
Roche trailing
CYCLING:Irish rider Nicolas Roche missed a crucial break on the opening day of the Tour Down Under in Australia yesterday, with the Crédit Agricole professional finishing over 24 minutes in arrears of the victor, reports Shane Stokes.
The 152 kilometres stage was won by Karl Menzies (Australia - UniSA) ahead of Martin Elmiger (AG2r Prévoyance).
Roche rode well on Tuesday's Down Under Classic, a 50 kilometre race, finishing 21st out of the 111 starters.
Taylor fight in Galway
BOXING:Katie Taylor will meet Czech puncher Teresa Lukasov at the Gort Boxing Club in Co Galway tomorrow night. The contest will be lightweight Taylor's first fight since she won gold at the World Championships in India last November.
The fight will act as a warm-up for her meeting with Finland's Eva Walstrom at the National Stadium on February 2nd.
Lukasov, a daughter of the Czech national coach, usually boxes at a higher weight, and took part in last year's European Championships.
No word of O'Sullivan
SNOOKER:Ronnie O'Sullivan will not face the press for the rest of the Masters at Wembley Arena because it is "not in the interests of the player, the tournament and the sport".
As a result the 31-year-old will escape censure for failing to fulfil media commitments following his 6-1 win over Ali Carter.
In an extraordinary statement issued by World Snooker, it was revealed chairman Rodney Walker had met the player last week and agreed to temporarily release him from those duties.
