MEN’S CYCLING: After snapping up his fourth Tour de France title, reigning European and World Champion Tadej Pogacar has won French newspaper L’Equipe’s 2025 “Champion of Champions” award. 

He finished above Swedish pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis with Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz a distant third. 

Pogacar is only the second cyclist, after triple yellow jersey winner Greg LeMond, to win the prize. Rory McIlroy was not in the top five.

MEN’S FOOTBALL: Larne still lead the Irish Premiership by four points with two games in hand, despite being held 0-0 at home by Cliftonville on Tuesday night. 

Second-placed Coleraine saw off defending champions Linfield 3-1 while Glentoran, five points further back in third, came from behind to beat Portadown 2-1. 

Dungannon won 1-0 at bottom of the table Glenavon, Crusaders and Carrick drew 2-2 and Bangor beat Ballymena 2-0.

MEN’S CRICKET: Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes can move top of the Big Bash League with a win over Perth Scorchers in Thursday morning’s match that follows Melbourne Renegades against the Sydney Sixers. 

Perth come into the game on the back of Monday’s thumping 71-run win over bottom club Sydney Thunder. 

Current table-toppers Melbourne Stars, the only team with a 100 per cent record, visit Brisbane Heat on Friday.

HORSE RACING: Despite its appalling record for horse fatalities, the Grand National retained its title as the most gambled upon sporting event in 2025 according to Entain, the Isle of Man based international sports betting conglomerate. 

Philadelphia’s victory over Kansas City in the Super Bowl was the next most popular event ahead of both the US Masters and Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan.