Commentary box

The world’s fastest cyclist

The two-decade-old land speed cycling record has finally been broken, says Nick Allen in The Daily Telegraph; and for the first time, by a woman. American ex-pro Denise Mueller-korenek, a 45-yearold mother-of-three, hit 183.9mph on salt flats in Utah, smashing the previous record of 167mph achieved by Dutch cyclist Fred Rompelber in 1995. She wasn’t unaided: her custom-made bike was attached to a drag race car, detaching itself on reaching 100mph. Each pedal revolution at her top speed propelled her 128ft (a typical Tour de France bike does about 30ft). “Beat that Fred,” yelled Mueller-korenek after eventually coming to a halt and dismounting.

Cipriani’s baffling omission

The England rugby coach Eddie Jones is known for his “strong and often contentious instincts with selection”, says Owen Slot in The Times. But his omission of Danny Cipriani for his autumn internationals training squad really takes the biscuit. The Gloucester fly-half has been man of the match in two of his three club games this season, and performed terrifically during England’s summer tour in South Africa. Jones says his decision is based purely on form – yet he has nonetheless picked Sale wing Chris Ashton, who hasn’t yet played this season owing to suspension. None of it seems to add up, but one presumes the Australian must have his reasons.