Factory Mercedes driver Jules Gounon will make his DTM debut in this weekend’s final round at Hockenheim, replacing Luca Stolz at HRT.

Double Spa 24 Hours winner Gounon has been drafted into the #4 HRT Mercedes AMG GT3 at the last-minute after Stolz had to withdraw from the Hockenheim races due to health reasons.

No further information was provided about 29-year-old Stolz, who was due to see out his third full season with the team in the German GT3-based series.

A statement from HRT read: “Luca Stolz (GER) of Mercedes-AMG Team HRT has been forced to withdraw from this weekend’s DTM finale at Hockenheim for health reasons.

“The 29-year-old’s place in the #4 Mercedes-AMG GT3 will be taken by Jules Gounon (AND).

“The Haupt Racing Team thanks Jules for stepping in at short notice and wishes Luca a speedy recovery.”

Gounon brings with him a wealth of experience of GT racing, having won the Bathurst 12 Hour on three occasions and scored class victories in major IMSA SportsCar Championship enduros including Daytona 24 Hours and Petit Le Mans.

His illustrious CV includes two titles in GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup with Mercedes, as well as the 2017 GT Masters title at the wheel of a Corvette C7.

Luca Stolz, Mercedes-AMG Team HRT Mercedes-AMG GT3

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz

This year has seen the second-generation driver expand his horizons into prototype racing, competing in three rounds of the World Endurance Championship with Alpine in the Hypercar class.

After making his first appearance in the DTM in Germany on 18-20 October, he will be back behind the wheel of the Alpine A424 LMDh in the Bahrain 8 Hours WEC finale on 2 November.

The HRT outfit he is joining in the DTM currently sits fifth in the teams’ standings, two spots behind fellow factory-supported Mercedes team Winward.

The squad’s best runner in the standings is Arjun Maini in eighth on 128 points, while Stolz is placed just one spot behind in ninth after scoring a first win of 2024 at the Sachsenring last month.

Both drivers are out of the championship fight, although another Mercedes driver Maro Engel (Winward) remains firmly in the hunt in third place, 20 points behind championship leader Mirko Bortolotti of SSR Lamborghini.

Engel’s team-mate Lucas Auer, the last remaining driver in the four-strong Mercedes roster, sits 12th in the drivers standings.

Ulster: Mike Lowry; Werner Kok, Ben Carson, Stuart McCloskey, Jacob Stockdale; Aidan Morgan, John Cooney; Eric O’Sullivan, James McCormick, Tom O’Toole, Alan O’Connor (capt), Harry Sheridan, Cormac Izuchukwu, Marcus Rea, David McCann.

Replacements: Tadgh McElroy, Callum Reid, Scott Wilson, Kieran Treadwell and Matty Rea, Nathan Doak, James Humphreys, Jude Postlethwaite.

Ospreys: Jack Walsh; Dan Kasende, Evardi Boshoff, Owen Williams, Keelan Giles; Dan Edwards, Kieran Hardy; Gareth Thomas, Sam Parry, Ben Warren, Will Greatbanks, Lewis Jones, Lewis Lloyd, Justin Tipuric, Morgan Morris (capt).

Replacements: Ethan Lewis, Garyn Phillips, Math Iowerth-Scott, Rhys Thomas, Dan Gemine, Reuben Morgan-Williams, Tom Florence, Max Nagy.

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Assistant referees: Andrew Cole & Andrew Fogarty (IRFU)

TMO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)

MICHAEL GOMEZ JR returns to the ring this month as he looks to claim TWO titles.

The 29-year-old boxer takes on Reece Bellotti for the British and Commonwealth super featherweight belts.

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Bellotti was ordered to defend his titles against the son of former boxer Michael Gomez by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The Bomber last defended the straps in July, beating Levi Giles by unanimous decision.

But Bellotti faces one of his toughest tests yet in an inform Gomez Jr, who has won his last 12 fights.

The two square off on the undercard of the highly-anticipated Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis.

And SunSport has all the information you need ahead of fight night.

When is Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr?

• Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr will take place on Saturday, October 26.
• The fight is expected to get underway at approximately 9pm BST.
• The Co-op Live Arena in Manchester will host.

What TV channel is Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr on and can it be live streamed?

• Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr will be broadcast live on DAZN.
• The event is available to watch for DAZN subscription holders at no additional cost.
• Live streaming is available via the DAZN app/website.
• You can subscribe to DAZN in the UK for £9.99-a-month, which commits you to an entire year of action.
• A flexible pass, worth £19.99-a-month, is also available, and you can cancel anytime.
• You can also pay £99.99 for the year upfront, and this is the lowest cost option.

Who else is on the card?

Subject to change

• MAIN EVENT: Jack Catterall vs Regis Prograis
• Reece Bellotti vs Michael Gomez Jr
• Pat McCormack vs William Andreas Herrera
• Campbell Hatton vs James Flint
• Joe McGrail vs Lewis Morris
• William Crolla vs Lorenzo Grasso
• Stephen Clarke vs TBA
• Emily Whitworth vs TBA

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – The PFL: Battle of the Giants pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and you can watch a live stream of the event in the video above.

The press conference takes place ahead of Saturday’s fight card, which airs on ESPN+ pay-per-view and DAZN.

PFL: Battle of the Giants is built around two inaugural superfight title bouts. Francis Ngannou (17-3) vs. Renan Ferreira (13-3) at heavyweight, and Cris Cyborg (27-2) vs. Larissa Pacheco (13-3) at women’s featherweight.

Here’s what you need to know about the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference.

What time does the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference start?

The PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference starts at 7 a.m. ET/4 a.m. PT, which is 2 p.m. local time in Riyadh.

Who’s taking part in the PFL: Battle of the Giants press conference?

The four fighters scheduled for the superfight title bouts are slated to participate in the PFL: Battle of the Giant press conference: Ngannou, Ferreira, Cyborg and Pacheco.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for PFL: Battle of the Giants.

Video Details

But a groundbreaking operation, which required his breastbone to be split open, saved his career and enabled him to represent England again and win the Premiership with Saracens in 2023.

However, despite his remarkably quick return, he says it took time psychologically to recover from the procedure.

“[At the time] you just treat it as if it is an injury and you don’t realise how big it is,” Isiekwe said.

“It was kind of like [starting again]. I didn’t expect to have to start again but I have had to roll with it and I feel like I’ve got to the point now I wanted to get to.

“It was difficult but I think there is something beautiful in the struggle.

“I had it in the back of my mind for quite a long time. But now I feel completely normal – and I don’t have any reservations.”

Isiekwe was a late call-up to the England squad for the summer tour of New Zealand following Charlie Ewels’ suspension, although he did not make an appearance – with George Martin and Maro Itoje starting the two Tests against the All Blacks.

“In the summer I had a few things I needed to work on, from a physical point of view,” he added.

“But I used the summer to really get right and really push it. I feel great.”