Team Sky rider GIANNI MOSCON was banned for five weeks by the Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) after he "tried to hit another rider" during stage 15 of this year's Tour de France. The Italian was disqualified from the race after the incident with Team Fortuneo-Samsic's ÉLIE GESBERT. Moscon apologized and accepted his punishment, which ends on Sept. 12 (BBC, 8/8). ... Kenyan former world 400m hurdles champion NICHOLAS BETT died, aged 28. He was killed in a car crash on Wednesday in the country's "high-altitude training region" (AP, 8/8). ... KEISUKE HONDA "could be set to make his first appearance" for A-League side Melbourne Victory in a Football Federation Australia Cup match in suburban Sydney. Honda "is due to arrive in Melbourne next week to begin training with his new teammates." The next round of FFA Cup matches will be held on two nights over two weeks in late August (AAP, 8/8). ... Man City is considering naming one of its training pitches after JOE HART "in recognition of the goalkeeper's 12-year service to the club," which came to an end on Tuesday when he joined Burnley. Hart signed a two-year deal with Burnley, which has the option to extend his contract by one more season, as part of a deal that could be worth £3.5M ($4.5M) (LONDON TIMES, 8/8). ... National Rugby League side Melbourne Storm fullback BILLY SLATER announced on Wednesday he is "stepping away from rugby league after 16 years." Slater said that he "did not take the decision to hang up his boots lightly but was comfortable with calling it a day" after the NRL season ends in September (SPORT24, 8/8).
