The Sport Matrix: Friday 13 March 2015

Wiggins to ride in Tour de Yorkshire

Sir Bradley Wiggins has confirmed his intention to ride in the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire in May. The 2012 Tour de France winner will leave Team Sky at the end of April to head his own Team Wiggins developmental squad, and revealed the three-day race would be among his first assignments for the new team. The Tour de Yorkshire will take place from 1 to 3 May as a legacy event from last year’s hugely successful Tour de France stages.

Giants starve toothless Tigers

Huddersfield ran in four tries to shut out struggling Castleford 22-0 last night for their second win of the season. The Giants, who began Super League with three straight losses went into the break 6-0 up with former Castleford man James’ Ellis’s try the only score for their efforts. Ukuma Ta’ai, Aaron Murphy and Jermaine McGillvary added more tries in the second half, while Danny Brough kicked three goals.

Ex-F1 boss joins Ainslie’s Cup team

Former McLaren Formula One team principal Martin Whitmarsh is to join Ben Ainslie’s attempt to become the first English winner of the America’s Cup. The 56-year-old spent 25 years with McLaren before leaving last year. Whitmarsh will serve as chief executive of Ben Ainslie Racing. “It’s great to turn my energies and experience to such an exciting sporting and technical challenge,” he said.

Valencia injured by tea cup mishap

Enner Valencia is unavailable for West Ham’s trip to Arsenal tomorrow after cutting his big toe on a broken tea cup.

It is the sort of news manager Sam Allardyce could have done without, as Valencia was one of only two fit strikers he had available, given that Andy Carroll is out for the season and Carlton Cole – fined £20,000 yesterday for offensive tweet – is battling with a hamstring strain.

“We’re not exactly sure how long Valencia will be out for,” Allardyce said yesterday. “But it’ll be too soon to be considered for this game.”

Following his £12m signing in July, Valencia’s star has been on the wane since the early part of the season, with just five goals in 30 matches.

Hole-in-one gives Madsen lead

Dane Morten Orum Madsen finished with a hole-in-one and an eagle for a seven-under 63 to share the first-round lead at the Tshwane Open in South Africa. He was joined by David Horsey, a shot head of Wallie Coetsee and Brett Rumford. Madsen, whose only Tour win came in South Africa, had four birdies and a bogey before his remarkable finish.