Ireland’s Dan Martin turned in a brilliant performance on yesterday’s weather-shortened second stage of the Tour de Suisse, finishing sixth in a select group of eight riders.

Mark Cavendish claimed the spoils on the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia, benefitting from a crash in the final kilometre to snatch the win for his Omega Pharma team.

Tour de France leader Bradley Wiggins believes the sabotage of stage 14 yesterday – when tacks on the road caused a number of punctures in the peloton – showed how vulnerable riders are on the road and more severe incidents could yet occur.

Police are questioning a man after a planned raid on a house in Omagh revealed a drugs stash.