Even after rebounding late in Moscow, the ruble was still down 14% this week and 27% this month

A crash in UK housing prices and Mario Draghi leaving the European Central Bank are among 10 “outrageous” predictions for 2015, according to Saxo Bank, which forecast the oil-price slump in a similar list last year.

Ireland’s Nicolas Roche won a four-man sprint at the end of the second stage of the Vuelta a Espana from Pontevedra to Baiona.

On a day when the defending champion, Cadel Evans’ defence of his Tour de France title disintegrated on the perilously steep slopes of the Pyrenees, Ireland’s Dan Martin turned in one of the performances of his career to finish seventh on yesterday’s 16th stage from Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon.

Andre Greipel claimed a third victory of the Tour de France with a stage 13 success to Le Cap d'Agde.

Equity investors wishing to cash in on the London Olympics can take their pick from British hotels, advertisers or retailers — history suggests the FTSE 100 could shine in the following 12 months.

Alberto Contador will rejoin Team Saxo Bank once he has served his doping ban, the Danish team have announced today.

Germany pulled the eurozone’s economy back from the brink of recession at the start of 2012 but stagnation in France and contraction in southern Europe underlined sharply differing fortunes in the 17-nation bloc.

Alberto Contador has protested his innocence over the two-year doping ban imposed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport and insisted he will return to cycling stronger than ever.

Bradley Wiggins was in confident mood as the Tour de France entered a fifth day of racing today.

ANDY SCHLECK’S Leopard Trek team say they want to propel the two-time Tour de France runner-up to victory in cycling’s most prestigious bike race on the road, rather than in the courtroom.

LESS than a month after European leaders unveiled a “comprehensive package” they said would fix the eurozone, their anti-crisis strategy is fraying and may be in need of a radical rethink.

The future of cyclist Alberto Contador should be clear before the start of the Tour de France, according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador has signed a two-year deal to race with Team Saxo Bank from next season.

It’s been a fabulous start to the 2010 Tour de France for the sole Irish rider in the race, Nicholas Roche.

Nicholas Roche will carry Irish hopes at this year's Tour de France which starts this Saturday with an 8.9 kilometre prologue around Rotterdam.

The International Cycling Union are to use scanners at next month’s Tour de France to combat rumoured ’mechanical doping’.

Frenchman Damien Monier attacked on the final climb to claim victory on stage 17 of the Giro d’Italia today.

Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas-Doimo) emerged victorious from a sprint for the line to win the fourth stage of the Tour of California.

THE gloss was swiftly wiped off the positive gains made on the stockmarkets on Monday when shares across Europe fell yesterday following more concerns about Greece’s future.

The Sean Kelly/ An Post Professional Cycling team endured a most difficult day in the Dwars door Vlaanderen classic today in Belgium, with just one rider of the eight starters finishing the race.

Philip Deignan (Cervelo Test Team) claimed the biggest win of his career today on the 18th stage of the Vuelta A Espãna besting Roman Kreuziger (Liquigas) to the line in a nail-biting two-up sprint finish into Avila

Russell Downing of the CandiTv-Marshalls Pasta team has won the 2009 Tour of Ireland today.

Russell Downing of the CandiTV – Marshall’s Pasta team sprinted to victory in the opening stage of this year’s Tour of Ireland in Waterford today.

MARK CAVENDISH claimed a British record ninth Tour de France stage victory yesterday on a day when Ireland’s Nicolas Roche continued to impress.

ALBERTO CONTADOR strengthened his position at the top of the general classification by powering to victory in yesterday’s individual time trial in stage 18 of the Tour de France.

Spain's Alberto Contador stood toe-to-toe with the Schleck brothers on the final day in the Alps to strengthen his grip on the Tour de France's yellow jersey today.

NICKI SORENSEN broke clear late on from a long-time breakaway group of seven riders to win Stage 12 of the Tour de France as sprint king Mark Cavendish spent a well-deserved day in the peloton.

Nicki Sorensen broke clear late on from a long-time breakaway group of seven riders to win Stage 12 of the Tour de France today.

Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong tonight moved level with Fabian Cancellara at the head of the general classification after helping Astana to a team time-trial success on stage four of the Tour de France.

Switzerland’s Fabian Cancellara got the better of Tour de France favourite Alberto Contador to triumph in the 15.5km time-trial first stage in the blistering Monaco sun today.

Lance Armstrong was upstaged by defending champion Andre Greipel on the first stage of the Tour Down Under today.