Thomas Voeckler successfully defended the race leader's yellow jersey on Bastille Day, but defending champion Alberto Contador lost time to his overall rivals on the first mountain stage of the 2011 Tour de France.

AN attempt by five Irishmen to row across the Atlantic, as part of a 14-man crew, has had to be abandoned after their craft was struck by a mystery object, thought to be a whale.

A TEAM of three Irish and 11 British rowers last night smashed the world record for the fastest journey in a boat across the Atlantic.