Sport in Brief: Molinari matches European benchmark with halfway 15-under

Golf: Italian Francesco Molinari equalled the lowest halfway total of the European Tour season as he continued to dominate the Portugal Masters in Vilamoura yesterday.

The 26-year-old had matched the lowest round of his career with an opening nine-under 63 and added a 66 to reach 15 under. That was three clear of the South African Retief Goosen, England's Simon Khan and Spaniard Pablo Martin. Defending champion Alvaro Quiros was one further back, as Justin Rose and Order of Merit leader Rory McIlroy shot 70s to stand nine under and five under respectively. Molinari also began the Irish Open with a 63 in May, but was disqualified after signing for the wrong score in his second round.

Wiggins hits out after UCI denies him chance to defend Olympic title

Cycling: Three-times Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins has hit out at plans which will deny him the chance to defend his individual pursuit title at London 2012. The International Cycling Union announced proposals last month to even up the number of men's and women's events, meaning there will be no individual pursuits.

The events were won by Wiggins and his Great Britain team-mate Rebecca Romero in Beijing. "They've changed the programme, given the women a load of events," Wiggins said. "It's a shame, it will probably end up killing off track endurance cycling. We're pawns in their game. We're just riders, it doesn't matter what we think."