Knee niggle halts Caleb

CALEB EWAN played down a knee problem and insists he will be ready to take part in next month’s Tour de France.

Ewan, who took two stages at the Giro d’Italia this week, pulled out with some pain in his knee.

The Aussie (above) won stages five and seven but he had never planned to complete the whole race.

He said: “I need to do what’s best in preparation for the Tour.”

Victor Lafay took his first stage victory as a professional when he won stage eight. Attila Valter retained the leader’s pink jersey.

BY ZOE BURN

FABIO QUARTARARO starts his home MotoGP from pole today after a dramatic final few minutes of qualifying at Le Mans yesterday.

The Frenchman saved his best until last, powering his Monster Energy Yamaha over the line to steal the top spot in changing conditions.

He said: “The goal was front row. But pole position is even better.”

He pipped team-mate Maverick Vinales into second, in a shootout that saw teams struggling with tyre choices – Valentino Rossi hit the gravel after a final-corner near-spill, having gone early with slicks.