The Sport Matrix: Monday 30 March 2015

Thornhill and Scott help GB top table

Great Britain finished top of the medal table at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships after their B sprint tandem teams added two golds in Apeldoorn yesterday.

Neil Fachie and Pete Mitchell, reigning world champions in the event for blind and visually impaired riders, were unbeaten through to the men’s final which they won 2-0 against Spain.

Sophie Thornhill and pilot Helen Scott (above) stormed through the women’s heats before seeing off Australia 2-0 in the final.

“It’s never easy,” Thornhill said. “You can never take anything for granted - these races are always hard.”

Ascot plan for US champion Chrome

California Chrome, no match for Godolphin’s Prince Bishop when runner-up in the Dubai World Cup at the weekend, is to be aimed at the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. Last year’s Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner could arrive in England as early as next week, with the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May earmarked as a possible starting point.

Thomas completes fine Sky weekend

Geraint Thomas yesterday added a third place in a storm-blasted Belgian Gent-Wevelgem Classic to his stunning victory in the prestigious E3 Harelbeke Classic 48 hours before. With the Welshman’s Sky team-mate Richie Porte securing a major triumph in the Tour of Catalonia, it added up to one of Team Sky’s most successful weekends of racing to date.

Brook calls for Khan after victory

Kell Brook pressed his claim to face Amir Khan after successfully defending his IBF welterweight title in Sheffield. Brook, who crowned his comeback from a life-threatening stabbing in Tenerife last summer by flooring Romanian Jo Jo Dan four times before the fight was stopped at the end of the fourth round, said: “If you’re watching [Khan], come and get in this ring with me.”

BBC announces new player award

The BBC has announced the launch of a Women’s Footballer of the Year award, with the winner chosen in a fans’ vote in May. A panel of journalists, coaches and former players will decide on a five-woman shortlist on 26 April. “This is a great opportunity to highlight the skill and talent that exists globally,” said Caroline Rigby, managing editor of the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.