Plymouth Gladiators speedway rider Tobias Thomsen has sustained multiple severe injuries, including a punctured lung and a broken femur, following a collision with Poole Pirates’ Richard Lawson on Friday evening.
The 31-year-old was transported immediately to hospital following the heat-one incident during his debut meeting for his new club.
The Danish racer was struck from behind by his former teammate during the early stages of the fixture between the two rivals.
Extensive medical trauma
Providing an update from his hospital bed, the Scandinavian detailed the extreme extent of the physical damage sustained in the crash.
He revealed that a titanium bar has been surgically inserted from his knee to his hip to stabilise a fractured femur.
“In the face, around the eye, I have three minor fractures in the bones, which fortunately do not require surgery,” said Thomsen.
The former Poole Pirates representative has also suffered three broken ribs alongside a small, but non-threatening, brain haemorrhage.
Riders maintain mutual respect
Despite the severity of the incident, there remains absolutely no animosity between the two competitors.
“This is a race accident and I have no grudge against Lawson – I know this could happen,” the recovering athlete explained.
Lawson swiftly responded to the online update to express his profound regret over his involvement in the horrific collision.
“I am absolutely gutted for you, wish I wasn’t the other rider in this with you,” stated Lawson.
Determination to return
The Plymouth-based outfit released a statement confirming their rider is determined to regain full fitness and evaluate his long-term career options.
Fans have quickly rallied around the stricken sportsman, raising nearly £1,400 through trackside collections to support his recovery and assist with machinery repairs.
“Going to do my best to get back in shape and see where this takes me in the future, I want to race again because it’s what makes me happy and feel alive,” Thomsen concluded.
A supercomputer has predicted the top 10 for the 2026 Masters at Augusta National, forecasting that defending champion Rory McIlroy will fail to retain his Green Jacket.
The prestigious event marks the beginning of the major championship season in elite golf.
Players will compete for the iconic prize and a lifetime exemption to the historic Georgia tournament.
Northern Irishman McIlroy finally completed his career Grand Slam at the venue last year.
The European Ryder Cup star defeated Englishman Justin Rose on the first extra hole of a dramatic play-off.
However, artificial intelligence suggests the defending champion will not secure back-to-back titles.
Augusta specialists tipped to contend
Breakout American star Chris Gotterup is projected to finish in 10th place on four under par.
The emerging talent recently secured impressive victories at both the Sony Open and Phoenix Open.
Veteran Rose is expected to secure ninth position by utilising his extensive course knowledge.
The former US Open champion has previously finished as runner-up at the major on three separate occasions.
American Xander Schauffele is predicted to share a final score of five under par.
The Olympic gold medallist boasts a stellar record at the venue, missing the cut just once in eight appearances.
Fleetwood and Morikawa in the mix
World number four Tommy Fleetwood is forecast to finish in seventh place on seven under par.
The popular Southport native broke his PGA Tour drought last season but has traditionally struggled at this specific venue.
Meanwhile, two-time major champion Collin Morikawa is projected to finish one shot ahead in sixth.
The Californian has been described by the predictive model as the most consistent iron player of the current campaign.
American sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson has become only the third woman in history to win Australia’s prestigious Stawell Gift from the back of the field, overcoming a handicap of up to 10 metres.
The Olympic 100m silver medallist raced from the ‘scratch’ mark in the unique handicap event, meaning she was required to run the full 120 metres and overtake every other competitor.
Competing on an uphill grass track, the 26-year-old clocked a remarkable 13.08 seconds in the final to record the fastest women’s time in the 148-year history of the competition.
She narrowly edged out 19-year-old Australian Charlotte Nielsen, who had begun with a nine-metre head-start, to claim the £20,900 prize pot.
Record-breaking run follows semi-final scare
The former 100m world champion almost missed out on the showpiece entirely after easing up too early before the finish line in her semi-final race.
However, the lightning-fast athlete made no such mistake in the decisive heat, later revealing she knew victory was secured well before the conclusion.
“I think I realised I was going to win right past 90 metres,” she told Australian broadcaster Seven Network.
“This is one of the most exciting, fun and entertaining track meets I’ve ever ran in, not even just that, but the love, the true love and support for track and field, unbeatable.”
Coleman misses out as Komolafe takes men’s title
The historic three-day competition, held in the rural town of Stawell, featured more than 700 athletes competing for a share of the £81,000 total prize fund.
Fellow American sprinter Christian Coleman, who is the reigning indoor 60m world record holder, also contested the men’s event but failed to reach the final.
The 28-year-old former men’s 100m world champion was eliminated in the semi-finals after finishing fifth in a time of 12.48 seconds.
Instead, 21-year-old Australian Olufemi Komolafe secured the men’s title, crossing the line in 11.93 seconds from a five-metre starting mark.
Historic pedigree attracts global stars
The iconic Stawell track has a rich history of drawing global superstars to its unique grass surface.
Jamaican great Asafa Powell, Britain’s Linford Christie and home favourite Cathy Freeman are among the elite champions to have competed at the festival since its inception in 1878.
Justin Rose is aiming to capture his first Green Jacket at the 90th Masters in Augusta this week, a year after suffering play-off heartbreak against Rory McIlroy.
The 45-year-old Englishman boasts an unrivalled pedigree among those still seeking a maiden victory at the iconic Georgia venue.
He watched on last year as his European Ryder Cup team-mate finally completed the career grand slam.
The former US Open champion had matched the lowest total of the week at 11 under par, firing a sparkling final-round 66.
“Augusta was painful, but at the same time I was proud at how I played,” the veteran golfer told BBC Sport.
It was the second time he had endured a sudden-death defeat at the tournament, having previously lost to Sergio Garcia in 2017.
Chasing an historic age milestone
The seasoned professional would become the second-oldest winner in tournament history if he triumphs on Sunday.
Only Jack Nicklaus, who claimed his 18th major title 40 years ago, has donned the Green Jacket later in life.
Despite his advancing years, the former world number one remains a formidable presence in the top 10 of the global rankings.
He statistically played the best golf of anyone during Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup campaign last year.
Recent PGA Tour success fuels belief
The Olympic gold medallist returned to the winner’s circle last August by defeating JJ Spaun in a Memphis play-off.
He followed that impressive feat by romping to a dominant seven-shot victory at Torrey Pines in February.
“Getting back in the winners circle in big events on the PGA Tour is testament that my game is still good enough to compete with the best players,” he said.
“And just knowing that gives me the motivation to continue to work hard and to keep believing in myself.”
Meticulous preparation for Augusta
Following his triumph in San Diego, the European stalwart recovered from two missed cuts to finish tied for 13th at the Players Championship.
This solid display in a demanding environment reflects his renowned resilience and enduring appetite for the sport’s biggest prizes.
“I’m pretty good at gearing up for the weeks I want to play well and I think having that sort of experience to do that,” he explained.
To maximise his chances at the season’s first major, he withdrew from last week’s Texas Open to focus entirely on his Augusta preparations.
“I’d love to find a way to play well every single week. But if I can find a way to hone in on the weeks that I really want to play well, that would be enough for me to chase down some of the goals I have left.”
Two-time champion Scottie Scheffler has arrived at Augusta National for the Masters with his nine-day-old son Remy following a recent withdrawal from the Houston Open.
The American star had kept a low profile since stepping away from competition two weeks ago to await the birth of his second child.
His wife, Meredith, gave birth to the baby boy on 27 March.
The new arrival joins their first son, Bennett, who was born shortly before the US PGA Championship last year.
“We just liked it. We didn’t have very many good boy names, to be honest with you.”
The infant was spotted in a stroller beneath Augusta’s famous oak tree, marking a uniquely domestic scene at the opening major of the year.
McIlroy relishes defending champion duties
Defending champion Rory McIlroy has fully immersed himself in the weekend’s traditional preliminary events.
The Northern Irishman handed out trophies at the Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals while wearing his coveted green jacket.
He later took to the pristine Georgia course alongside his father, Gerry, and Augusta member Jimmy Dunne.
The four-time major winner is now preparing to host the exclusive Champions Dinner on Tuesday evening.
“It is the most exclusive dinner club in all of sport, and I think we should all feel very fortunate that we are there.”
“But we’re there because of the hard work and the good play that we’ve been able to produce.”
Woods and Mickelson absence noted
Two notable figures will be missing from Tuesday’s prestigious champion gathering.
Tiger Woods is absent following a brief jailing on suspicion of driving under the influence after a car crash last month.
Three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson is also skipping the event to address a personal health matter at home.
“Unfortunately, there will be a couple of guys that won’t be in that room, which is a shame, but I want to make sure that they’re acknowledged as well.”
McIlroy added that he hopes the returning champions enjoy the evening despite the absence of two of the tournament’s greatest historical competitors.
DeChambeau and Player feature in Sunday scenes
Elsewhere on the grounds, Bryson DeChambeau greeted young fans before rushing to join his caddie for a solitary practice round.
Three-time champion Gary Player was also present in Georgia.
The South African icon is preparing for his traditional role hitting the honorary opening tee shot on Thursday morning.
Chantelle Cameron became a two-weight world champion by defeating Michaela Kotaskova via unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBO super-welterweight title in London.
The British fighter made history by winning the first women’s world title bout contested over three-minute rounds on UK soil.
Following her commanding victory, the former undisputed 140lb champion immediately targeted a blockbuster clash with American star Mikaela Mayer.
The pair faced off inside the ring at London’s Olympia to tease a potential future unification bout.
Historic victory over three-minute rounds
Stepping up to the 154lb division for the first time, the sole professional conqueror of Katie Taylor showcased her undeniable class.
The prolonged round duration suited the home favourite perfectly as she applied relentless pressure on her Czech opponent.
Targeted bodywork gradually drained Kotaskova, forcing her to constantly back away as the fight progressed into the later stages.
Despite picking up a minor cut on her nose, the Briton dominated the exchanges and landed hurtful combinations at will.
Mayer showdown looms as next target
The judges ultimately rewarded this sheer dominance with wide scorecards reading 100-90 and 99-91 twice.
Attention instantly turned to a highly-anticipated matchup with fellow two-weight world champion Mayer.
“So much respect for Mikaela Mayer, she’s a great fighter, I wanted this fight with Mikaela for ages.”
Cameron explained during her post-fight interview in the ring.
“We’ve been speaking, we should give the fans a great fight for women’s boxing.”
Garcia defends title on undercard
Earlier in the evening, Irma Garcia successfully defended her IBF super-flyweight belt by stopping Emma Dolan in three rounds.
The crushing defeat ended Dolan’s dreams of adding world honours to her existing British and Commonwealth titles.
World champion Tadej Pogacar claimed a record-equalling third Tour of Flanders victory by dropping rival Mathieu van der Poel with a blistering solo attack.
The UAE Team Emirates-XRG rider crossed the line 33 seconds ahead of the Dutchman to continue his flawless start to the 2026 season.
The decisive moment arrived on the brutal cobbled gradients of the Paterberg, where the Slovenian finally broke his great rival’s resistance.
Battle on the cobbled climbs
The two pre-race favourites had forged clear of a world-class peloton and arrived together at the base of the final ascent of the Oude Kwaremont with 18 kilometres remaining.
Mirroring his race-winning move from last year, the four-time Tour de France winner launched a ferocious acceleration.
Van der Poel initially clung on, limiting the gap to a handful of seconds over the summit of the iconic hill.
However, the relentless pace proved too much for the Alpecin-Premier Tech rider on the subsequent Paterberg climb, which features punishing gradients exceeding 20 per cent.
Monumental history awaits
Sitting up to punch the air in triumph, the 27-year-old celebrated adding another prestigious title to his rapidly expanding palmares.
Belgian debutant Remco Evenepoel secured third place for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, finishing just ahead of compatriot Wout van Aert.
Affectionately known as De Ronde, the grueling 278km Flemish route featured 16 short but demanding climbs and several treacherous cobblestone sections.
Having already triumphed at Milan-San Remo and Strade Bianche earlier this spring, the unstoppable Slovenian has won all three races he has contested this year.
He now looks ahead to next weekend’s Paris-Roubaix, which remains the only cycling Monument missing from his extraordinary trophy cabinet.
Rory McIlroy returns to Augusta National to defend his Masters title this week, exactly a year after ending an 11-year major drought to complete the career Grand Slam.
The defending champion joined an illustrious group of golfing legends following last year’s historic play-off success.
His elusive fifth major title arrived 3,899 days after his 2014 PGA Championship triumph, requiring immense mental fortitude to navigate a tense final day.
Overcoming a slow start
The Northern Irishman admitted he did not make things easy for himself during a dramatic week at the famous Georgia venue.
He double-bogeyed three of his final four holes during the opening round to card a stuttering 72.
That frustrating opening day left him facing a massive seven-shot deficit heading into Friday.
To eventually claim the Green Jacket, he had to match the historic first-round comebacks achieved by Sir Nick Faldo in 1990 and Tiger Woods in 2005.
Building weekend momentum
The Grand Slam winner surged up the leaderboard with a remarkable round-of-the-day 66 on Friday.
He maintained that momentum on Saturday by opening his third round with six consecutive threes.
Two bogeys around the turn were swiftly undone by a brilliant eagle at the par-five 15th, allowing the four-time major winner to sign for another 66.
Taking a two-shot lead into Sunday marked the first time he had held the 54-hole advantage at the tournament since his infamous collapse in 2011.
Bouncing back from a final-round wobble
The final day began in disastrous fashion as his overnight advantage vanished on the very first hole.
A forced lay-up from a fairway bunker was compounded by a three-putt from under 20 feet, resulting in an opening double-bogey.
However, the world-class ball-striker demonstrated remarkable resilience to fend off challengers like Bryson DeChambeau and finally conquer his golfing Everest.