Crowe in bike duel with gossip writer

AN Australian newspaper mocked Russell Crowe for smoking and shovelling down a fatty meal after a recent bike ride, so the notoriously salty actor set out to prove he is still in gladiator shape — by challenging the paper’s gossip columnist to a duel by bicycle.

Crowe, who has been photographed looking slimmer in recent months, was apparently none too pleased by a column published in Sydney’s The Daily Telegraph on Tuesday entitled “Smokes and fatty foods the fitness regime for Rusty”. The paper mocked Crowe after he was photographed pausing during a recent bike ride with his personal trainer to puff on a cigarette and chow down on three tacos and a soft drink.

In a story published yesterday, the paper said Crowe’s spokesman called up gossip columnist Annette Sharp the next day and said: “Get on your bike. Russell wants you to go riding with him. Are you ready to die?”