Australian rider Maeve Plouffe says she narrowly avoided being hit by a car in Cumbria during the first stage of the Tour Of Britain Women.

The Netherlands’ Lorena Wiebes retained the leader’s green jersey with victory on stage two in Lancashire.

Plouffe, 27, who rides for British continental team O’Shea Red Chilli Bikes, said the incident happened on a roundabout as she was chasing back to the peloton, following a puncture on Wednesday.

She was taking part in the opening stage, which began and ended in Cockermouth.

Posting on Instagram, she wrote: “While the race convoy was still in sight, and I was less than two minutes down, there were cars from the general public coming at me from all directions, including one that nearly hit me on a roundabout.

“Later on, the moto escort was wonderful and I felt much safer. But considering the recent devastating events in our cycling community, it’s scary to see situations like this, when we know that this can have horrific consequences, especially so soon after suffering such a tragedy.”

Plouffe was referring to the death of 19-year-old British rider Fin Tarling, who was killed last week in a high-speed collision with a van, which had strayed on to the road during the eighth stage of the Volta a Portugal.

Before the Tour of Britain Women began, there was a tribute to Tarling with a photograph of him projected on to a large screen and a minute’s applause which all 114 riders and spectators took part in.

Tarling was the younger brother of Netcompany Inoes rider Josh Tarling, who was announced on Thursday in the team’s line-up for the Vuelta a Espana three-week Grand Tour, which begins on Saturday.

Reacting to Plouffe’s social media post, Jonathan Day, the events director of British Cycling Ventures – a commercial entity of British Cycling, which organises the Tour of Britain Women – issued a statement to the BBC.

In it, Day said: “We note Maeve Plouffe’s comments about her experience during yesterday’s race, and we’re taking these extremely seriously.

“Rider safety is paramount and will always be treated as a priority in our planning and how we operate any race.

“We’re reviewing what happened with Maeve and her team O’Shea Red Chilli Bikes with the seriousness and empathy these comments demand.

“We recognise this comes at an especially difficult time for the cycling community, so we want to reassure all riders, teams and fans of the sport at this time of how serious we are treating these comments.”

GMHBA Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 24 AFL game between Geelong Cats and
Richmond Tigers. The game kicks off at 7:45 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs.
Richmond Tigers
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 22, 2026 at 7:45 pm

Where: GMHBA Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Geelong Cats vs Richmond Tigers Odds

Geelong Cats vs Richmond Tigers Preview

Geelong recovered from a seven-goal-to-one opening quarter to defeat North Melbourne 125-110, responding with nine majors in the second term. Mark Blicavs kicked three goals, Bailey Smith amassed 34 disposals and Ollie Dempsey added 24 touches, nine marks and a goal. The Cats sit sixth and a victory should protect a valuable top-six finish. Richmond’s 94-45 loss to St Kilda continued a difficult run against leading opponents, although Dion Prestia fought hard with 27 disposals in his final home appearance. Geelong won the corresponding late-season fixture 103-64 last year and has been consistently strong at GMHBA Stadium. Richmond can threaten if it brings early pressure, as North demonstrated, but the Cats’ depth and ability to alter the game after quarter-time should prove decisive.

Adelaide Oval will play host to Saturday’s
Round 24 AFL game between Adelaide Crows and
GWS GIANTS. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Adelaide Crows heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Adelaide Crows vs.
GWS GIANTS
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday August 22, 2026 at 8:10 pm

Where: Adelaide Oval

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Adelaide Crows vs GWS GIANTS Odds

Adelaide Crows vs GWS GIANTS Preview

Adelaide returns home needing victory and favourable results to reach the top six after Fremantle ended its charge with a 112-88 defeat. Izak Rankine was outstanding despite the loss, gathering 39 disposals, creating 13 score involvements and kicking a goal. Greater support around the contest will be essential against a GWS side that beat West Coast 111-57 last week, even though Carlton’s draw closed the Giants’ Wildcard path. Adelaide has won eight of its past nine home matches and defeated GWS 52-34 in their 2025 meeting, while the past four clashes between these clubs have all been decided by 19 points or fewer. The Giants’ talent should keep the pressure on deep into the night, but the Crows’ home record and stronger finals incentive provide a narrow edge.

Mohun Bagan vs NorthEast United LIVE Updates, Durand Cup 2026: The second half of the Durand Cup 2026 semi-final between Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United is underway, in Shillong. Mohun Bagan and NorthEast United are drawing 0-0 after 70 minutes in the second half. It is a clash between the record winners and the reigning champions, with a spot in the final at stake. 17-time champions Mohun Bagan are looking to set up a final showdown against arch-rivals East Bengal, after a thrilling 9-8 penalty shootout win over Jamshedpur FC in the quarters. On the other hand, after winning the Durand Cup in the last two years, NorthEast United are aiming to accomplish an unprecedented three-peat.

Here are the LIVE Score and Updates from Mohun Bagan vs NorthEast United, Durand Cup 2026 Semi-Final, straight from Shillong:

Marvel Stadium will play host to Sunday’s
Round 24 AFL game between Essendon Bombers and
Port Adelaide Power. The game kicks off at 12:20 pm with Port Adelaide Power heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Essendon Bombers vs.
Port Adelaide Power
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Sunday August 23, 2026 at 12:20 pm

Where: Marvel Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Essendon Bombers vs Port Adelaide Power Odds

Essendon Bombers vs Port Adelaide Power Preview

Essendon must respond after a slow start contributed to a 112-76 loss to Sydney. Vigo Visentini showed promise with 19 disposals, nine marks and a goal, while Will Setterfield gathered 32 touches and remained involved in the Bombers’ better passages. Port Adelaide was also comprehensively beaten, falling 132-56 to Melbourne, and now faces uncertainty around Zak Butters while Aliir Aliir is unavailable after concussion. Port dominated the Round 2 meeting 133-70, but neither side arrives with much momentum. Essendon’s young group has an opportunity to finish the season positively at Marvel Stadium, although its long run of poor results in Victoria remains a concern. Port’s greater midfield experience and Mitch Georgiades’ presence inside 50 should be enough to steady the visitors in a scrappy contest.

Shubman Gill with Kirandeep Singh at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium in Mohali. (Special Arrangement)

NEW DELHI: For Kirandeep Singh, the moment Shubman Gill noticed him was more than just another net session. It was the moment a youngster from Cholta Kalan, a village in Punjab’s Mohali district, began to believe that his cricketing dream could become a reality.Kirandeep was playing tennis-ball cricket when he first came to Gill’s attention in 2025. He had gone for practice in Mohali when he was told that Gill was around. Later, the two crossed paths at the Mullanpur International Cricket Stadium, where Kirandeep got the opportunity to bowl to the India star for the first time.Gill did not take long to spot something in the youngster.“He said, ‘You are bowling really well.’ I told him that I was playing tennis-ball cricket,” Kirandeep recalled.Gill’s response changed the direction of Kirandeep’s cricketing journey.“He then said, ‘You shouldn’t play tennis-ball cricket anymore. From now on, you have to play with a leather ball.’ He told me to stop playing tennis-ball cricket and said, ‘If you ever need anything, just let us know.’”That encouragement stayed with Kirandeep as he worked towards making the switch to leather-ball cricket and chasing a professional career.Now, the 20-year-old has another chance to turn that advice into a breakthrough. Fazilka Falcons bought him for Rs 20,000 in the Sher-e-Punjab T20 auction, giving the youngster an opportunity to play in the same team as Gill, who will captain the side.For Kirandeep, the journey from the government school ground in Cholta Kalan to the Sher-e-Punjab T20 is already a story of opportunity. The next chapter will be about proving that Gill’s eye for talent was right.The tournament is set to begin on August 30.