Sports Digest: Ticket prices for the European Grand Prix at the Nuerburgring on May 30th will be slashed by almost 50 per cent to boost demand, organisers said yesterday.

Formula One isn't able to sell itself on its own - with this move we're aiming to reach a new segment of the public," said Walter Kafitz, managing director of the Nuerburgring GmbH.

Prices for practice and qualifying sessions will be cut to €20 on Thursday, €29 on Friday and €59 on Saturday. Attendance at the grand prix has been falling in recent years after ticket prices rose steadily. But Kafitz said the lower prices did not mean the circuit was going downmarket.

CYCLING: Ag2R-Prevoyance professional Mark Scanlon posted a good performance in the Gent-Wevelgem semi-classic in Belgium yesterday, finishing 33rd in the 1.HC event, reports Shane Stokes. The 23-year-old finished in a 26-man group four minutes and 38 seconds behind the winner Tom Boonen.

Boonen profited from some good team-work from the Quick.Step-Davitamon squad to set up the sprint, including some selfless riding from the experienced team captain Johan Museeuw, who will retire next week. His team-mates Kevin Hulsmans and Nick Nuyens also gave up their wheels to keep Boonen in contention when he suffered two separate punctures inside the final 60 kilometres.

Ireland's other professional in the race, Ciarán Power, lost his place in the front group after a big pile up. He was able to continue but as the impact tore off his right brake lever, he was forced to change bikes and so lost his chance of a high finish.

The decisive selection was made on the descent of the Kemmelberg climb with about 50 kms left, where 25 riders forged ahead. With Boonen's strong sprint making him favourite for the win, the team threw everything behind delivering him safely inside the final kilometre with the leaders.